German Children Team Horse Balsamico Passed Away

Dressage

Germany

Balsamico, a two-time team gold medal winner at the European Children Championships, has passed away. He was 24 years old.

Balsamico was a 2002 born Trakehner gelding by Hertug out of Bernina V (by Anduc x Adrian xx). He was bred by Monika Mittermeyer.

Sport Career

Owned by Peter Zieglwalner, the Trakehner began his sport career in 2005 under Silvia Hartmann before Eva Zieglwalner (now Plaas) took over the competition ride in 2006.

Eva produced the horse up the levels, rached M-levle in 2007. A break from showing followed and the duo returned for one show in 2009. Another four year break followed and Balsamico made a come back at small tour level in 2013.

Lotta Plaas

After 8 years of no showing, Balsamico returned to the arena in 2021 with Eva's daughter Lotta Plaas onboard.

She rode him in the Children classes, finishing 6th in the 2021 Preis der Besten and then competing at the CDIO-CH Hagen to make it on the German team for the European Children Championships, where they won team gold and were 8th individually. At the 2021 German Children Championships they got bronze.

In 2022 the pair won silver in the Preis der Besten, and was named reserve for the German team for the European Children Championships, but ended up claiming back that team spot when Hachmeier dropped out. They won team gold and individual silver. It was both Balsamico's and Lotta's last international start.

Their last season together was in 2023 with several regional starts at M-level. Lotta no longer competes internationally and this year has been combining national level dressage with show jumping.

Sad Passing

Balsamico, who spent 22 years with the Plaas family, passed away on 5 July 2026. He was 24 years old.