Breido Graf zu Rantzau, the previous rider and president of the German equestrian federation died on 6 November aged 73, following an sickness.
Born in Breitenburg in 1949, Depend zu Rantzau gained a level in enterprise administration. He served as vice-president to the German federation from 2001, and in 2005 was elected president. He retired from this function in 2021, following which he was appointed honorary president.
His time period in workplace coated the 2006 World Equestrian Video games in Aachen, and the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Video games in Hong Kong. Throughout this era equestrian sport in Germany got here into query owing to a variety of doping and medication-related circumstances at these Video games. Underneath Graf zu Rantzau’s management, an investigative fee was fashioned and the squads had been disbanded whereas a overview was held. Following this, anti-doping measures had been established nationally.
An FEI spokesman mentioned Breido Graf zu Rantzau confirmed “nice dedication to find options and demonstrated the flexibility to handle controversial points head on”.
“At worldwide stage, he was a tireless champion of fresh sport and might be remembered for his uncompromising interventions at many common assemblies,” mentioned the spokesman.
Depend zu Rantzau competed efficiently till he was 60. As a junior he competed in dressage then turned to showjumping. He rode on the 1967 junior European Showjumping Championships, and virtually 20 years later was fifth within the Hamburg Derby, in 1985. He loved success at worldwide competitions, and rode for Germany at three Nations Cups.
He was a famend breeder and produced greater than 60 registered sport horses. From 1986 to 2007 he was chairman of the Holstein Breeding Affiliation, and was vice-president of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses from 1999 to 2005.
FEI president Ingmar De Vos mentioned Depend zu Rantazu had a “robust character” and was “very trustworthy and all the time easy”.
“He was an actual horseman with an awesome coronary heart for equestrian sport and breeding. He made the German Equestrian Federation the fashionable and dynamic organisation it’s at this time,” he mentioned.
“I’m particularly grateful for all his assist. With out him I’d not be the place I’m at this time. Our ideas are together with his household and pals and we’ll keep in mind him as an awesome man.”
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