The Dalai Lama, a sordid history of Nazi Mentors and forgiving Fascists

[magical thyme]

39. I rode in a dressage clinic with a former Nazi from the German military

Fritz Stecken was considered the greatest dressage trainer in the world back in the 50s. By the mid-late 60s he'd been "dropped" by the high end of the riding world. Around 1970 I was invited to ride in a clinic with him, in a small group of advanced students. I was 16 years old at the time, and thrilled.

For 4 days, we rode as a group and received our lesson in front of the audience and then had a private "roundtable" discussion with Mr. Stecken at the farm's kitchen table.

On the 4th day was when I learned of his military history. He didn't go into detail, simply broke into an emotional, confession sort of rant. He was just a peasant farm-boy. He joined the army so he could ride. It was the only way he would be able to ride. He didn't know. He didn't know what would come. He was clearly wracked with guilt and shame.

There. That is my sordid past. Had my father been there, I could post pictures of me sitting at a kitchen table with a former Nazi from their cavalry. As it is, I can only relay the story.

He was already very old and I was very young. I never saw him again, but I still have his book in my library.