Ludger Beerbaum is a busy man – a very busy man. His show schedule would be daunting for someone half his age, never mind someone approaching the twilight years of their career. Year-round he spends an average of three weekends out of four competing away from his home in Riesenbeck, Westphalia. Last year he spent 38 weeks on the road (a cutback from the “crazy” early days when his average was 40). The financial rewards are certainly alluring. He recorded over 200 results at international shows in 2014 and total prize money won was in the region of $1.6 million (CAD). He netted 530,134 euros (CAD $718,253) on the Longines Global Champions Tour alone last year.
Ludger has featured in the top ten of the world rankings since 1989 and spent five years as world number one. even years ago, at the age of 43, after dropping to 10th, he told a friend that he’d probably peaked. He was wrong. Ludger, now 51, started 2015 as the world’s number-two rider, just 90 points away from number-one Scott Brash.
Ludger was only 25 when he won his first Olympic medal and ever since his life has “whooshed” by – a panorama of world championship (four), Olympic (four) and European (nine) podiums. He has been European champion twice – in 1997 with the great Ratina Z and in 2011 with Gladdys S – and won the individual Olympic gold medal on Classic Touch in 1992. The only thing missing is an individual world championship title; he’s already collected a World Cup Final trophy.
Statistics tell only half the story. There were controversies, of course, such as being disqualified from the Athens Olympics for improper use of a cream which contained prohibited substances on his stallion Goldfever (“We made a big mistake, but at least it was a genuine mistake”); sincere but ill-advised comments on doping; and the disqulification debacle surrounding his teammate and employee Marco Kutcher at the 2008 Olympics. Still, the strong and the quick-witted survive, and so too does his delicious style – a harmony of lightness and Germanic discipline.
One would imagine that there would be little time for anything else, but for Ludger there is also a small business empire to run (and a second family; with British-born wife Arundell Davison he has two young daughters). There are upwards of 18 employees to manage, including professional riders Philipp Weishaupt and Henrik von Eckermann, who are involved in handling the 70 or so youngstock to grand prix horses and a stallion station with 25 jumping and dressage stallions standing at stud.
Ludger’s latest enterprise, Riesenbeck International, is a joint effort between himself and Philipp Freiherr Heereman, president of Riesenbeck Horse Riding and Driving Association. The pair built two new indoor arenas at the local riding club (on Ludger’s doorstep) and plan a program of seminars, clinics, and competitions.
So perhaps before he gets to heaven (as per his comments below) and after he’s succeeded in his aim of beating Hans Winkler’s Olympic record, he’ll begin a new profession as a show organizer. The pieces are in place and he wouldn’t be the first to go down that avenue … but he’d probably be the best.
Life must be pretty hectic for you with your show schedule, stable, and stallion station to run. Can you give us an idea of what your routine is like?
I get up every morning at 6:30 (without an alarm clock) and then I follow my diary, which is different every day. Usually I ride in the morning and then do the other things – like meeting with my staff, looking at videos, dealing with press requests and the like. Recently, in between going to shows we’ve been busy preparing for the opening of Riesenbeck International and organizing a stallion show.
How did you get started with horses?
I started at the age of eight or nine. A friend of mine took me with him to his stable. At first I was afraid of the horses, but after a time I loved riding, and still do. I was 16 before I learned about distances between the fences. Before then I was just cantering around and jumping and winning; but it was without thought or know-how or proper training.
Can you identify a turning point in your career, when you said to yourself “I can earn a living doing this and I can reach the top?”
When I made the Olympic team for the Seoul Olympics in 1988. After winning the gold medal there, I started to believe that I could make my living with riding.
Horsepower aside, is there another ingredient that gives you an edge?
Ambition and passion.
How would you describe your personality?
In general I think I know what I want and I try to go for it.
If life hadn’t taken you where it has, would you have had another profession and what would that have been?
I’d probably be a priest [he laughs].
How do you explain your phenomenal longevity in the sport?
No other choice. As there was no real possibility to switch to another job I thought I’d better devote myself to one and stick at it.
A few years ago you said you were going to retire after the London Olympics. What changed your mind?
Not competing there. I had a fall with Gotha at the German championships a month or so before, so I had no horse for the Olympics. I stick to my word: I will retire after London. I just didn´t say how long after London. Plus I want to beat Hans Gunter Winkler’s record of five Olympic gold medals.
Where would you most like to go that you haven’t been?
Heaven. Why? Because I hope to end up there!
You’ve had some wonderful horses throughout your career. Do you have a favourite?
No, I don’t really have a favourite. In different ways I liked most of them.
How soon do you know that a horse will be a superstar?
I knew from the start that Ratina [Olympic team gold, World Cup Final winner 1993, European title 1997] was a superstar. She was ten when I got her; I knew she was hot and I soon learned she was not going to adapt to my riding. I had to adapt myself to her. With young horses, you have time to try to get them going your way. Then you may think you have a superstar at four, but you only ever know for sure that they can handle the pressure, the atmosphere, the music, the people, the flags waving, etc., when you take them to a show. There are so many things you can’t tell from the beginning. Classic Touch [Olympic champion] was an exception to that rule. I knew she had it all right from the start.
How important is it to you that icons such as yourself give back to the sport?
In general I believe all the older athletes in any sport should act as much as possible as a role model.
What’s next up for you?
I am focused on the European Championships at Aachen this summer. There’s also the Rolex Grand Prix there in May. To be honest, I would like a slice of both those pies.
