General major Albert Stecken has passed away at age 96. Together with his father Heinrich and brothers Fritz and Paul, Albert helped rebuild German equestrian sport after the World War II.
After fighting in WWII and being a British prisoner-of-war, the German Albert Stecken became a lawyer and worked in Essen, Germany. As of 1956 he was member of the German military and worked for the ministry of defense.
Parallel to a professional career, Stecken devoted much time to horses. He was one of the founding fathers of the Warendorf National Training Centre. From 1969 to 1974 he was the chair of the dressage selection committee for the German Olympic Equestrian Committee (DOKR). He remained at the DOKR until 1980.
Stecken retired from the military in 1971 and immediately took up a job as national dressage team trainer until 1974. Many legendary dressage riders, such as Reiner and Ingrid Klimke, August Lütke-Westhues, Gabriela Grillo and Heike Kemmer, were coached by him.
For his achievements in the equestrian sport, Stecken received the German Golden Riders Cross from the German Equestrian Federation in 1982.
Source: ST.GEORG
Photo courtesy H.Kemmer
Related Links
Biography: Albert Stecken (in German)
Mehmed, Triumph of Training
Remus, From Exchange Object to Serial Medalist
