Fritz Thiedemann

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Medal record
Equestrian
Olympic Games
Gold	1956 Stockholm	Team jumping
Gold	1960 Rome	Team jumping
Bronze	1952 Helsinki	Team Dressage
Bronze	1952 Helsinki	Individual jumping
World Championships
Silver	1953 Paris	Individual jumping
Bronze	1956 Aachen	Individual jumping
European Championships
Gold	1958 Aachen	Individual jumping
Bronze	1959 Paris	Individual jumping

This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Fritz Thiedemann (March 3, 1918 – January 8, 2000) was a German equestrian, considered to be one of the greatest show jumpers of his time.

Born in the town of Heide (Schleswig-Holstein), as the son of a farmer. His riding talents became clear at a young age, but he could not display them internationally until after World War II.

At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Thiedemann achieved a unique performance, winning medals in two equestrian disciplines, a feat since unequalled. He placed third in the dressage team event, and won another bronze medal in the individual jumping contest with his favourite horse Meteor, with which he would win all major prizes in his career.

The following year, Thiedemann won a jumping silver at the World Championships in Paris. Winning another medal (bronze) in that event in 1956 in Aachen. That same year, he won a gold medal with the United Team of Germany in the 1956 Olympics in Stockholm, while just missing out on an individual medal with a fourth position.

At the 1958 European Championships in Aachen, he took the title. Thiedemann was the flag-bearer of the United Team of Germany (composed of both East and West German athletes) at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. The United Team of Germany successfully defended their jumping title, Thiedemann winning his fourth Olympic medal. In addition, he placed 6th in the individual jumping competition.

Thiedemann died in his birthplace Heide at age 81.