Remembering the great German rider Hartwig Steenken (23 July 1941 – 10 January 1978), who would have been 69 years today.
Hartwig Steenken – Porta Westfalica in the Hamburger Derby
From the retirement ceremony of Hartwig Steenken‘s fantastic mare Simona in Bremen 1975.
Hartwig Steenken on Simona. Farewell ceremony in Bremen 1975.
Olympic gold medalist 1972, World Champion 1974 and European Champion 1971 Hartwig Steenken was born on this day 68 years ago. This great rider and great person, popular and loved by everybody, died only 36 years old after a car accident. His memory forever tied with his wonder mare Simona.
Hartwig Steenken (23 July 1941 – 10 January 1978)
Two of the greatest – Hartwig Steenken and Alwin Schockemöhle!
Great riders and great personalities - Hartwig Steenken and Alwin Schockemöhle
Hartwig Steenken, World Champion in Hickstead 1974 on the 16 years old Simona
Hartwig Steenken (* July 23, 1941 in Twistringen; † January 10, 1978 in Hannover) was one of the most successful and stylish German riders. On the mare Simona he became individual World Champion in Hickstead 1974 and European Champion in Aachen1971. In the Olympics in Munich 1972 he won gold in the team competition and was 4th in the individual competition.
He was only 36 years old when he in 1977 was victim of a tragic car incident. He was severely wounded and he lied in coma for six months before he died in January 1978.
At his death Steenken had two fantastic young horses in his his stable, who both would be future champions under new riders. One of them was Deister, on whom Paul Schockemöhle became three time European Champion. The other one was Gladstone, on whom Hugo Simon won the World Cup in 1979.
Hartwig Steenken on Simona
Achievements
- Olympic Games
- 1972 in Munich: Gold medal team on Simona
- World Championships
- 1974 in Hickstead: Gold medal individual on Simona
- European Championships
- 1971 in Aachen: Gold medal individual on Simona
- 1975 in Munich: Gold medal team, Silver medal individual on Erle
- others
- three times German Champion (1969, 1970, 1973) on Simona
- 1973 Winner Deutschen Springderby in Hamburg on Simona
- 1974 Winner Deutschen Springderby in Hamburg on Kosmos
