On 1 November 2010 German Olympic dressage rider Herbert Krug passed away in "Pflegeheim Elisabeth" in Lichtenfels, Germany, after a long-term illness. The Mainz born Krug was a multiple German team gold medallist
at World and European Championships as well as Olympic Games.
Krug was a winegrower by profession but had a passion for dressage. He initially started as a jumping and eventing rider but switched to dressage after he turned 33. Aboard the Danish warmblood Muscadeur he competed on the German team at the 1982 World Championships in Lausanne and 1983 European Championships in Aachen. He finished fourth individually in Aachen. Krug won team gold at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Aboard Dukaat he claimed team gold at the 1986 World Championships in Cedar Valley. With the Hessian branded Trakehner gelding Floriano he got team gold at the 1987 European Championships in Goodwood. Floriano got sold to British Grand Prix rider Annie McDonald-Hall, who competed him at the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm.
Krug had a keen eye for high quality horses and discovered the Swedish warmblood Emirage which took Eva Maria Pracht and her daughter Martina Pracht to the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. He also trained Monaco, who became Dorothy Morkis 1976 Olympic mount.
Krug also had highly successful students, such as Philipp Becker, who now trains Uta Gräf and used to work with Susanne Lebek. Krug's daughter Nadine is also a dressage rider.
Four years ago Krug was diagnosed with lethal ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Lou Gehrig disease), a cruel debilitating disease which destroys the motor function of the central nervous system while the mind remains fully aware to the end.
Krug was 73 years old.
Photo © Julia Rau - www.rauphoto.de
Related Links
Emirage, the Pracht Family's Olympian
Keen xx, A Pioneer of American Dressage
Dieter Ludwig: Obituary Herbert Krug