Silvia Bauscher Died Unexpectedly

Mon, 12/02/2024 - 18:47
Germany
Silvia Bauscher :: Photo © private

German national dressage rider and trainer Silvia Bauscher has died unexpectedly on 18 November 2024. She was 62 years old.

Grown Up with Horses 

Silvia Bauscher (née Schumacher) was one of Germany's young rising stars in the 1980s.

Her father Günter was a farrier which put her in close contact with horses from a young age.  She began riding on ponies and doing vaulting at the Wiesbaden-Kloppenheim riding club from 1968 till 1070. 

She got her first horse when she was a junior: the Trakehner Hurrikan (by Harlekin x Ortlieb). In the late 1970s she started riding professionally and helped breaking in youngsters for breeder and horse dealer Otto Stricker.

Schafhof

Silvia as a young rider on Hallo
Silvia's dad Gunter shod the horses at the Linsenhoff family's Gestut Schafhof which gave Silvia the opportunity to ride under their supervision.

As of 1978 she began riding at Schafhof, training her own horses as well as some for the Linsenhoff family. She worked under the watchful eyes of trainers  Herbert Kuckluck and Siegfried “Bimbo" Peilicke.

From Youth Classes to Grand Prix

Bauscher rose to prominence in Germany as a young rider. A member of what was then called the C-squad from 1978 till 1983, Sylvia earned her Golden Riders Badge in 1983 and was Hessian Young Riders Champion. 

In 1984 she moved into the senior division and was B-squad listed until 1985. She finished third in the 1984 Hessian Grand Prix Championships.

Her career was mainly focused on national competition by her most significant result was winning the Intermediaire II at the 1984 CHI Berlin. She was also fifth in the 1985 German Grand Prix Championships for females (then split by gender) in Münster. 

Hallo

Bauscher (left) at the 1983 CHI Berlin
Silvia's top horse was the 1972 born Hessian mare Hallo (by Halali out of Hianette (by ? x Gertog von Gelre). Bred by Otto Stricker, the mare went from novice level to Grand Prix with Silvia.

She was also once shown by Hans-Jörg Radandt and Tom Hacker and as of 1982 Herbert Kuckluck competed the mare at times, helping Silvia to consolidate her in the FEI level movements.  The mare's last recorded results in 1986 were with Kuckluck onboard. 

Silvia also briefly showed Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff's first Grand Prix horse Kilometer, a 1965 born Hanoverian by Kursus x Dwinger, in 1983.

Sad Passing

Sylvia was based at Schafhof until 2006. She was still teaching and training students in classical dressage, as well as spending time as a mental coach.

Bauscher died unexpectedly in her home from an apparent heart attack on 18 November 2024.  She leaves behind her husband Uwe Bauscher and parents Gerlinde and Günter. 

Her funeral is on 9 December in Oberursel

Photos © private archive