German Olympian Ulla Salzgeber has called for a time out and will not be competing at the 2011 CDIO Aachen, nor will she be available for selection on the German team for the 2011 European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The double Olympic team gold medallist has announced that she needs a break for personal reasons. "I have been considering a time out from top sport on personal grounds for a long time," Salzgeber explained. "Also I want to be able to focus myself more on my function as a trainer."
The 52-year old Salzgeber and Rhinelander bred Herzruf's Erbe were selected to compete in the CDI-tour of the 2011 CDIO Aachen leading up to German team selection for the Europeans. With her withdrawal from Aachen she is relinquishing that possibility. "I'm not considering EC-participation. I'm sure that this year Germany will be well-off, even without me," she said.
Salzgeber has not communicated how long this time-out will last. "At this moment I don't want any pressure on my shoulders," she said. "It is to be seen if I am to consider the 2012 Olympic Games as a focal point."
Salzgeber is based at Gestut Obere Mühle in Blonhofen, Germany, where she runs a dressage centre with Frank Freund as assistent trainer.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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