Uwe Mechlem passed away
A key figure in the world of judging—both in Germany and internationally—Bavarian Uwe Mechlem passed away on September 14 at the age of 91; notably, he officiated at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Born on June 26, 1935, in Mittenwald, Uwe Mechlem discovered horses through his father, Franz, a transport entrepreneur. A versatile rider, he competed in both dressage—up to the Grand Prix level—and show jumping.
In the early 1960s, he qualified as a judge and gradually moved toward officiating at the elite level. From 1974 onwards, he officiated at international dressage competitions (CDIs), and in the late 1980s, he joined the exclusive group of "O" level judges authorized to officiate at major championships. Notably, he officiated at numerous German Championships, three European Championships, four World Cup Finals, and two Olympic Games.
From 1981 to 2002, he was a member of the German Federation’s dressage committee, serving as its chairman for two years. Between 1994 and 1998, he sat on the FEI dressage committee, notably participating in discussions regarding the evolution of the championship format.
source : equi page
