Dietmar Ackermann, a German who became one of the most influential horsemen in England, passed away on Monday, November 13, shortly before his 83rd birthday, at his jumping farm in Rutland. British Showjumping has now announced this.
His life path was also a piece of war and post-war history, which was determined by the Second World War. His birthplace was Haynau in Lower Silesia on January 14, 1940, which today is Chojnow in the Polish Powiat Legnicki. Dietmar Ackermann’s fondness for horses was evident from a young age. The family owned a brewery, and during the bombardment of his hometown, his mother took refuge in a stable with one of the brewery’s draft horses. As a child, he traveled alone by train across East Germany to spend the summer holidays with his uncle, where he learned to ride without a saddle on the horses of the farm.
As a young man, he completed his apprenticeship in the GDR, at the rural stud farm in Graditz near Torgau in Saxony. Later, he enrolled at the university to study veterinary science, but did not complete his studies and instead decided to flee from East to West Berlin. After that, he moved to West Germany, where he met his first wife Sue and founded a family. After a stay in Belgium, he came to England in 1960, where he earned his livelihood by training horses in various stables. England remained his home for the next 63 years until his death, and he was very proud when he received British citizenship in early 2023.
He founded his first equestrian center, High Fen, near Bures in Suffolk. He brought numerous top-class young horses to the show ring and the versatility of the sport. The way he properly trained the horses was an art for him. The forward dynamics, suppleness, balance, and good mouth he achieved in many horses were his trademark. This was a true gift that attracted owners and many students to High Fen, which soon developed into an established international training center that welcomed students from all over the world. It was an amazing achievement for a young man in his twenties.
In 1976, Dietmar Ackermann found the ideal land in Rutland to settle his family and expand his business. Soon a American-style riding hall with stables was built on the eleven hectares, followed by a bungalow. Over the years, even before the bungalow was built, he planted many trees, shrubs and flower bulbs. His love of nature goes back to the time he spent as a child on his uncle’s farm near Walchow in Brandenburg, as well as to the time he accompanied a friend, a forestry ranger, on work.
In 1989, Dietmar Ackermann’s future wife, Di Lampard, came to him at the Spring Farm.
„My career took off. We were delighted to welcome our son Henry and got married. He made my dreams come true in more ways than one. Without his love and support, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve all that I have achieved,“ says Di Lampard, the team leader of the British equestrian team.
Her husband loved welcoming his entire family to the Spring Farm, including his older children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as many relatives from Germany. Over the years, many, many other visitors came to the Spring Farm. He was a generous and hospitable host and was very proud to show them around the property and keep them informed about the latest developments.
Dietmar Ackermann leaves behind his wife Di, his daughter Katrin, his sons Roderick and Henry, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.