Farewell to Instructor Udo Nesch from Dortmund

Udo Nesch was born in Pomerania, the son of a stud farm manager. His father was killed in action during the war, and at age 14, he was taken prisoner by the Russians. With a great deal of luck and iron will, he managed to escape via Poland to Germany and, at age 19, ended up at the Verden Riding and Driving School, where he began training as a riding instructor. After successfully completing his training, he took a position with Otto Meyer in Hoya.

More than 60 Years with the Dortmund Riding Club

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” In 1954, Udo Nesch took over the care of patron Otto Schulte-Frohlinde’s horses in Dortmund. After quickly making a name for himself as a trainer of young horses, he was recruited by then-president Günter Jucho to join the Dortmund Riding Club at the Westfalenhalle.

He worked there for over 60 years until his retirement. Even after that, he continued to share his knowledge well into his old age. In 2000, he was awarded the Golden Medal of Merit as a professional rider by the German Equestrian and Driving Federation.

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an “old-school” riding instructor

Udo Nesch was an “old-school” riding instructor. He consistently emphasized proper seat, precise aids, and respectful treatment of the horse. Discipline and respect for the horse as a creature shaped his teaching just as much as his technical clarity.

As one of Dortmund’s most well-known riding instructors, he trained many riders and supported them in their development over the years.

Students and Formative Training

Among Udo Nesch’s best-known students are riding instructor Karl-Heinz “Kalli” Streng and rider and judge Anke Frömming. During his final years as an active instructor, he passed on his knowledge to, among others, Para-Bavarian champion Marieluise Heigl.

Udo Nesch enjoyed his heyday as a dressage rider during the era of Klimke, Boldt, and Theodorescu. In 1967, he won the German Dressage Derby, which at that time was still contested with a horse swap.

He was also successful in show jumping: Riding Granat, he won, among other things, an SB show jumping competition over two meters, and in the Grand Prix of the Federal Republic of Germany at the Westfalenhalle, he took third place riding Smoky. This made Udo Nesch one of the most versatile riders of his time.

Training Outstanding Horses

Another key focus of his work was training young horses up to the highest competition level. Particularly memorable was his work in preparing the horse Woyzeck for the Olympics, which helped him win gold and silver medals in Montreal in 1976 with Harry Boldt in the saddle.

Since professional riders were not allowed to compete in the Olympic Games at that time, Woyzeck was ridden by Harry Boldt.

Udo Nesch also played a key role in discovering and training the silver-medal-winning horse Vayron, who won Olympic silver for Denmark in Paris in 2024 under Daniel Bachmann Andersen and is now ridden by Ingrid Klimke.

A Grateful Tribute

We will remember Udo Nesch with deep gratitude: for the riding instruction he gave us and for the values he instilled in us regarding how to interact with horses.

Gerd von Spiess