Ulla Salzgeber's Penultimate Grand Prix Horse, Herzruf's Erbe, Passed Away

Dressage

Germany

Olympic medal winner Ulla Salzgeber said goodbye to the penultimate Grand Prix horse she has competed internationally: Herzruf's Erbe. The 24-year old Rhinelander has passed away.

Herzruf's Erbe was by Herzruf out of Charisma (by Caletto I x Pilot x Aar). He was bred by Heinz and Dagmar Stroetges in Wegberg (GER).

Katja Camp - Frank Freund

The chestnut began his show career as a 3-year old in 2002 under Katja Camp. Salzgeber's assistant at the time, Frank Freund, first showed him at A-level in June 2003 and rode him up to M-level.

In July 2005 Ulla Salzgeber took over the ride and the pair made its national small tour debut in September 2006 and its national Grand Prix debut in April 2008. In November of 2008 the horse received the Otto Lorke Prize for being Germany's best developing Grand Prix horse.

International Career Marred by Injury

Salzgeber and Herzruf's Erbe made their international Grand Prix debut at the CDI in Mariakalnok in Hungary in May 2008 and won the Grand Prix and Special. It was the beginning of a very successful Grand Prix career with several bumps in the road that were overcome.

In 2009 the horse sustained an injury at the CDIO Aachen and had to recover for a while. He returned in the winter season of 2010 and achieved a career highlight by finishing third at the 2011 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.

In 2012 he sustained a new injury and was sent into the field in Hungary with Rusty for a one-year rehabilitation. In October 2013 Herzruf's Erbe returned to the show ring at the national show in Gut Aichet and went back to showing internationally in November 2013 at the CDI Stuttgart. Throughout 2014 he was showed at CDI's in Vidauban, was then pulled out for WEG team selection due to a hoof problem, but returned for the indoor circuit in Odense, Lyon and Frankfurt. In February 2015 he won the world cup qualifier in Neumunster, his last major achievement. At the 2015 German Dressage Championships he was scratched for the Kur to music.

Retirement

In September 2015 Salzgeber announced Herzruf's Erbe's retirement from competition sport. He was 16 then. The horse was sent to Hungary for a retirement in the field at the same location where Rusty also spent his last years.

Salzgeber continued with Sir Simon, her last international Grand Prix horse which she sold to Astrid Neumayer. In 2020 and 2021 she briefly competed Liberte at international small tour level. Salzgeber's last CDI was Mariakalnok in May 2021.

Today Ulla announced that Herzruf's Erbe has passed away. He was 24 years old. She wrote:

"Between genius and madness probably describes you best. Your character was unique - the path I was allowed to take with you was a very special journey. Every triumph was thanks to you and every low welded us even stronger together. After a long, fulfilling evening of life, you have now set out on your final journey. You were a very special horse and will always be so for me! Thank you for all the unforgettable moments with you! Take care, Herzi!"