Günther Fielmann Passed Away

Breeding

Holsteiner

Professor Dr. Günther Fielmann, a successful entrepreneur and dressage horse breeder from Schleswig-Holstein, has passed away on 3 January 2024. He fell asleep peacefully surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old.

The Lütjensee based Fielmann is praised by governor Daniel Günther for his "great commitment in the areas of economy, society, the environment, culture and science," according to Züchter Forum.

Optometrist

Born in Stafstedt in 1939, Fielmann became a billionaire businessman as the founder, majority owner and chief executive officer of Fielmann, a German optics company focusing on retail eyewear.

In 1981 he revolutionised the German spectacle market by offering 90 fashionable frames for the allowance of the statutory health insurance funds. Because previously only 6 models were available in exchange for the insurance allowance, Fielmann thus removed the social stigma of having to wear glasses.

De Chirico in 2020
(Photo © Barbara Schnell)

In 2002, Fielmann bought Plön Castle from the state of Schleswig-Holstein and had it renovated extensively. He was also a passionate organic farmer. He owned the 1,600 hectares Gut Schierensee (which he restored and preserved as a cultural monument), the 470 hectares manor Marutendorf in Achterwehr, the 180 hectares farm Möglin in Krummwisch and a farm in Lütjensee. The organic products of his farms he sold under the brand "Hof Lütjensee."

Fielmann married Heike Eggert in 1988 and divorced her in 2000. They have two children, Mark and Sophie-Louise. Mark has been running the family company since 2019.

Holsteiner Breeder

At Gut Schierensee, Fielmann bred Holsteiner horses which were successful in all three Olympic disciplines.

His most famous dressage horse was Annabelle (by Conteur x Linaro), whom Helen Langehanenberg rode at the 2021 European Dressage Championships in Hagen six weeks later, where they won team gold and placed 14th in the Kur to Music finals. They were also German Olympic team reserves in Tokyo. At the 2021 German Championships they were fifth. In 2022 they were 6th in the World Cup Finals in Leipzig. At the 2022 German Championships they were seventh. The mare was retired from sport in the spring of 2023.

Fielmann also bred licensed dressage stallion De Chirico (by Dolany x Linaro) and jumper stallion Amber (by Ampere x Linaro) as well as dressage horse Darling (by Damon Hill x Linaro - ridden by Katharine Dulffer).