Hans-Eberhard Schneider, founder of Gestut St. Stephan and father of German Olympian Dorothee Schneider, has passed away on 7 April 2023. He passed peacefully in the hospital after a short illness as his son Theo reported. H was 87 years old.
Hans-Eberhard Schneider was a dressage rider up to S-level, a judge at national Grand Prix level, and a dedicated breeder of Trakehner horses.
Gestut St. Stephan
Until the end of the 1980s he ran an agricultural business as the tenant of the 180 hectare Mechthildshausen estate near Wiesbaden. This is where Dorothee learnt to ride.
The lease of the estate expired and the Schneider family moved to Framersheim, where they bought a smaller riding facility, Gestut St. Stephan. In 2000 the management of the stud went into Dorothee's hands with Hans-Eberhard assisting in the training of the working students.
Trakehner Breeder
Schneider made his mark as a Trakehner breeder.
He bred the Trakehner elite stallion and Grand Prix successful Van Deyk (by Patricius xx x Ibikus x Impuls), who started Dorothee's dressage career. Van Deyk's dam Vanessa was a state premium mare who in 29 years gave birth to 22 foals. Van Deyk was a premium stallion at the 1986 Trakehner Licensing in Neumunster.
Schneider also bred the Olympic jumper Procat (by Carajan x Xucar xx) as well as the Trakehner licensed stallion Handryk (by Van Deyk x Fabian), best known as the dam sire of Jessica von Bredow's Dalera BB.
Eberhard leaves behind his wife Susanne, and two children Dorothee and Theo.
Photo (c) Julia Rau
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