Count Dieter von Landsberg-Velen

Count Dieter von Landsberg-Velen was the president of the German Equestrian Federation from 1968 until 2001 and actively committed himself to the sport for more than 30 years. He was the show director of the huge international show jumping and national dressage competition Balve Optimum, which now hosts the German Championships. The event is located at the count's castle Wocklum.

Von Landsberg-Velen was born on December 17, 1926 at Wocklum and studied law at university. At the age of 23 he chaired the Balve riding club. At the start of his presidency at the German Equestrian Federation in 1968 he merged the sport and breeding societies into an umbrella federation.

In 1973 Von Landsberg-Velen chaired the German Olympic Riding Committee (DOKR) as well as the German Olympic Committee (NOK). In 1974 he was VP of the German Sports Federation. In 1993 he became VP of the German Olympic Committee.

For 35 years Dieter was on the board of Malteser Germany and under his governance the society became the international worldwide relief agency for humanitarian aid.

Count Dieter von Landsberg-Velen became highly decorated in his life. He was a recipient of the National Cross of Merit with Star given by the German Government and Olympic Order. In 2002 he received the Rider's Cross in gold with diamonds from the German Equestrian Federation.

Von Landsberg-Velen died on April 15, 2012 at the age of 86.