Verden. Germany – “The Voice of the Equestrian Sport” in Germany, Hans-Heinrich Isenbart, passed away on Christmas day in Hamburg at the age of 88. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 1.00 pm in the Niedersachsenhalle in Verden.
Hans-Heinrich was born on February 5, 1923 in Vienna. He studied law and completed the exam for riding instructors. Following the Second World War, he worked as a political and business journalist for the former North West German radio station, then for the local radio and television station, Radio Bremen. He was later responsible for sport event co-ordination for the german television station ARD in Munich. He brought the fascination of horses closer to a wider audience when broadcasting countless equestrian events, always finishing with the quote “and don’t forget the horses”. With his mine of knowledge acquired worldwide, he was a popular advocate of the horse, serving as show announcer, speaker at clinics, meetings and conferences, and as an author and film maker.
Hans-Heinrich Isenbart moderated the Verden auction gala evening shows, inaugurated in 1973, until 1998. He received the Golden Badge of Honour of the Hannoveraner Verband and the Cross of Merit of the Rider’s Town of Verden. The German Equestrian Federation awarded him the Gold German Riders Cross in 1983 and in 1997, he was honoured with the Lower Saxonian Cross of Merit. The German Olympic Equestrian Committee appointed him honorary member in 2001. He also received the “Meteor-Prize” for his outstanding accomplishments in the equestrian sport .