Klaus Fraessdorf

Klaus Fraessdorf passed away on August 31, 2009 at the age of 70.        He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Klaus Fraessdorf was a German native and started to learn the never-ending discipline of Olympic style riding as a teenager in Germany. Cavalry officers were his primary instructors. The philosophy was based on the German curriculum laid down by the German equestrian federation.

Klaus competed around Berlin in driving, eventing and dressage. He was fortunate enough to have competed briefly in the Grand Prix de Dressage Level in 1957-1958 in Germany until his mount, owned by the East German Government, was reassigned. He instructed/ coached in the United States students to achieve their USPC "A" rating and has several USDF Bronze Medal Students to his credit.

Klaus was a licensed "R" Dressage Judge, “R” Technical Delegate, and held the rating of FEI Dressage Chief Steward. He conducted clinics throughout the states and abroad. He was instrumental in establishing the well known "Dressage in Florida Winter Circuit." Klaus was a founding member of the Central Florida Dressage club, was the first to offer a prize money competition in Florida and managed the first international CDI competition in the US.  He went on to manage over 30 CDI competitions and had the distinction of managing the 1992 Olympic Dressage Selection Trials in Orlando.

Mr. Fraessdorf liked to reward the correctness of basic training in a horse. He stated: “ A free moving horse, which does not present a mechanical contraption, will be a happy horse. I like to see happy horses; the rider did a fine job. When riders pull their horses into their shoulders, by neglecting to receive the horse in their hand; not allowing the horse to swing up and forward, with a relaxed back and poll, I will make certain that this, the biggest rider mistake, will be reflected by lower scores. Especially in the lower levels (up to second level), horses which move forward with confidence, unrestricted, willing to listen, with occasional "growing mistakes” will be rewarded for their correct training."

"It is very important to me that the rider understands what my objectives are to improve the balance, confidence, and mental improvement of the horse. Each horse is a single entity; books can not train a horse; they can only help the rider to understand the foundations of correct training. Meaning, that the rider has to be better trained than the horse, which he/she is attempting to train. A 70% First Level horse has been trained correctly; a 52% Grand Prix horse is just a statement for the rider to claim to compete in Grand Prix; the horse, on the other hand, was certainly not trained correctly."

Klaus was known for fairness, courage and discipline, as well as his sense of humor and love of the harmonica.  He has left an enduring presence on the dressage world and will be missed by many.