Corona Times: Hit & Run with Ulla Salzgeber

Interviews

Hit@

In corona times we are all ordered to stay at home, self quarantine, and do social distancing. With more time on your hands to spend online, Eurodressage launches a "Hit & Run" interview series so that you get to know the world's most famous dressage riders and personalities more closely.

German Grand Prix rider Ulla Salzgeber (née Helbing) made her first claim to fame becoming the 1977 European Young Riders Championship. She became the world number one with super star Rusty. She won two team golds, one individual silver and one individual bronze at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. She rode at the 1998 and 2002 World Equestrian Games where she got double team gold and one individual bronze. She showed at the European Championships in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003 (four team gold, two individual gold, one individual silver. She won the 2001 and 2002 World Cup Finals. With Herzruf's Erbe she returned to the 2011 World Cup Finals. She acted as dressage training adviser to the Australian team from 2005 till 2006. Salzgeber now focuses on training and coaching.

Hit & Run - Ulla Salzgeber

What is your earliest memory?

My Mum always falted my pocket square for my tail coat perfect for every single competition. That was always my good luck chuck.

Which person alive do you admire the most and why?

Meryl Streep- a person with a great attitude who cannot be pleasingly bent and twisted. And she is a wonderful actress.

When were you the happiest?

Winning my first Gold medal at German Championship in Balve with Rusty, a very long time ago

What is your biggest fear?

Losing my daughter Kim

What was your first thought today?

Damn rain in Bavaria, so no sunbath today, even though we need the rain so desperately.

What is your most annoying character trait?

Always being straight forward, even if i know a loop sometimes would make things easier.

Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?

Falsity and dishonesty

What is your dearest possession?

My daughter, my students and my animals

If you look into the future, what do you see?

Happiness in my life and great moments having success with my horses and students.

What makes you unhappy?

Having unhappy people around me - life ist too short to be unhappy!

What is the love of your life?

My life, especially teaching and riding

What was the best choice you ever took in life?

Moving from the North to the South of Germany

What's your guilty pleasure?

A good glass of white wine and Haribo Stafetten (Candy Coated Black Licorice)

What do you owe your parents?

They gave me the base and the possibility to be where I am and what I am

Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?

Meryl Streep

What was the worst job you ever did?

No idea

What was your biggest disappointment in life?

Loosing the individual Gold Medal in Athens by 0.03%

What would you change if you can go back into the past?

Nothing

Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?

Living in a sunny country close to the sea.

What is your biggest achievement?

Being a team member representing Germany and all the positive results of my students all over the world.

What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?

To follow my own way

Where would you like to be right now?

Where I am right now - at my beautiful home

What's your favourite scent?

The sea

Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?

Not my thing

To whom would you like to say sorry?

To my mum

What does love feel like for you?

Happy dogs coming home from a trip

When are you most relaxed?

Sitting at the dinner table after a perfect day with my students and horses

What super power would you like to have?

I think I have enough power

When did you last cry, and why?

Death of my mum

When were you closest to death?

Car accident as a child on my way home from school

How do you want to be remembered?

As the person I am - giving 100% for true friends and my passions.