Sönke Sönksen, one of the most successful German show jumping riders of the 1970s, has died at the age of 86. Born in Meldorf, Schleswig-Holstein, he began successfully riding the horses of his parents' farm at an early age. At the age of 14, he won major prizes in Aachen and Hamburg. Later, with his horse Kwept, he achieved great successes, including team gold and individual bronze at the 1975 European Championships, a silver medal at the Montreal Olympics (1976) and the German championships in 1978. In total, he represented Germany in 25 national competitions.
After his active career, Sönksen became a trainer and accompanied the German team as Equipe-Chef at international competitions. He had a great influence on the development of young riders, especially after German reunification. His commitment and respect for horses were central to his work.
For his achievements he received prestigious awards, including the German Riding Cross in Gold and the Meteor Prize. The equestrian world remembers him as a legend who left his mark on the sport with dedication and kindness.
