Walter Zettl was considered to be one of the world’s most accomplished masters of classical dressage training and a true advocate for the welfare of his beloved horses. He was also a much sought-after teacher and clinician known for his warm and sympathetic approach to teaching. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1929, he trained in Germany, working for many years under the esteemed Col. Aust, for whom he eventually became First Assistant in 1955. He received many honors through the years, including the German Federation’s Gold Riding Medal, becoming the youngest ever recipient at the age of 21. He received his Reitlehrer certification after reaching the minimum age of 25. In 1981 he moved to Canada, where he continued his lifelong pursuit of teaching horses and riders, including coaching the Canadian Olympic Three-Day Event team in dressage for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Zettl passed away in 2018.