Dr. Clemens Mahringer ✝

And suddenly, the world was a different place…

when Clemens shared the diagnosis with me on December 14, 2018. According to statistics, he had two years of life remaining. For the first time in 24 years, we let our tears flow freely together.

In the world before, there was an unprecedented success story.

Growing up in Braunau as the eldest of four siblings, Clemens quickly found a role model. His father, as the head of trauma surgery, was able to do much good for people.

But it was animals that captured his heart. Clemens was particularly fond of horses. Thus, in 1989, he successfully completed his studies in veterinary medicine in Vienna. This was soon followed by his doctorate and his first practical experience as a young assistant to Bernhard Lischka. In 1992, together with Xaver Sterrer, he began building a joint mobile equine practice based near Ybbsitz, and the idea of founding an equine clinic was born. They found the right location in Tillysburg, and after countless hours of work, the project was successfully realized with the opening in the fall of 1995. This was followed by his appointment as a specialist veterinarian for horses in 1995 and as an FEI veterinarian in 1998.

We had our first meeting in the summer of 1994. As a student in my final semester, I completed an internship with Clemens, who had already established himself as a successful equine veterinarian and was, among other things, looking after the Austrian show jumping team. What a role model! I got to know a determined and supportive veterinarian who, although not much older, seemed to have an answer to every professional question. He knew how to convey his knowledge as a peer. This quality also made him a collegiate friend to many other veterinarians and students, someone from whom professional advice could always be sought. There were no stupid questions. Arrogance was foreign to him.

In 1998, I joined the clinic as a partner. Together, with the support of outstanding employees, assistants, and finally with Matthias Koller and Wolfgang Himsl as additional partners, we made the Tillysburg Equine Clinic what it is today.

Clemens was an outstanding veterinarian who, like few others, understood how to communicate his professional opinion clearly. He always argued honestly and compassionately, becoming the veterinarian of choice for many grateful horse owners. Clemens was one of the founders of the Association of Austrian Equine Veterinarians (VÖP) in 2000 and served as its first president. Furthermore, until the very end, he played a leading role in numerous projects. Pre-purchase examination protocols, colic guidelines, and licensing protocols all bear his signature. He was a member of the examination board for specialist equine veterinarians. For many years, he passed on his knowledge to students and was elected "Instructor of the Year" at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in 2017. Additionally, Clemens was highly valued as a speaker both at home and abroad and published professional contributions on numerous topics.

As a court-certified expert, he was a respected professional among all parties, and his expertise was also in demand by the farriers' association. The joint training sessions he initiated made Clemens a bridge-builder between the two professions. He also took on professional political responsibility and was involved in various committees, including serving as a member of the Delegates' Assembly and the Education Committee of the Austrian Chamber of Veterinarians (ÖTK).

Despite the immense professional demands, Clemens was a loving and devoted father. He was rightfully proud of his Evelyn and their four wonderful children, whom he loved above all else.

His hobby, hunting, allowed him to switch off and recharge his batteries.

Above all, he was an exceptionally precious human being. This is reflected in the many reactions and expressions of sympathy received by his family and us.

And suddenly, the world was a different place...

For Clemens, for his family, and for us at Tillysburg. From the very beginning, Clemens was admirably open about his illness. He fought a fierce battle against cancer, and for a long time, it looked as though he would win. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated increasingly over the last few weeks.

On November 14th, we said our goodbyes. "Everything is settled. Everything has been said. It is time for me."

Clemens passed away peacefully on November 16, 2020, in his 57th year, surrounded by his family. He will always have a place in our thoughts and hearts. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his loved ones.

Thank you, my friend!

Christian Franz