Equestrian Photographer Karl-Heinz Frieler Handed Away

German equestrian photographer and colleague Karl-Heinz Frieler has handed away on 19 August 2025 after a protracted interval of sickness. He was 71 years previous.

Karl-Heinz “Kalle” Frieler was born 5 February 1954. He grew up and lived in Gelsenkirchen his total life. He studied mechanical engineering and picture design and initially labored for the Rhine-Ruhr Press Service.

He arrange his personal press and picture company within the Eighties and his reference to the horse world got here by means of his colleague Raimund Hesse. Frieler first started working for the Westfalian equestrian federation in 1986 supplying photographs for its journal, “Reiter und Pferde in Westfalen.”

The sturdy Kalle turned a fixture on the German and worldwide equestrian scene, photographing all main horse occasions and championships. As Frieler grew older and his well being started to say no within the early 2010s, he took colleague Stefan Lafrentz beneath his wing and the duo collaborated at many exhibits. 

German journalist Dieter Ludwig described Frieler as following: “He is truly an honest eccentric in the sports photography industry, anything but conformist. He speaks his mind. And he knows what he says and what he’s talking about. Anyone who hired him as a competition photographer was assured of his total commitment: from the morning when the first horse arrived, he would be there with his camera until often late into the evening. He was usually the first and ultimately the last to leave a competition arena. That came at a price; he always delivered, and continues to deliver, performance, and he demands payment for it. And woe betide him if he arrived before the entry office opened its doors. And woe betide all those who cause harm to animals, not just horses, because he could and did literally lose his temper… He became quieter with the years and behind his moustache he hid so much heart.”

In 2003 Frieler turned the winner of the “Silver Camera Award” for greatest equestrian image of the 12 months, bestowed by the CHIO Aachen organisation when the competitors was nonetheless celebrating and honoring the work of actual skilled horse sport photographers (now it is extra a Best Aachen picture of the 12 months award). Frieler’s profitable picture was known as “Tears of Joy” which he took on the 2003 German Para Dressage Championships in Lingen.

In August 2017 Karl-Heinz was bestowed with the German Riders Cross in bronze by the German Equestrian Federation (FN) for his contribution to German horse sport. 

He leaves behind his spouse Monika Warstat.

Photos © Astrid Appels

Related Link
Eurodressage Photo Database: Photos by Karl-Heinz Frieler