Ludger Beerbaum

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Medal record
Competitor for Flag of Germany Germany
Equestrian
Olympic Games
Gold 1988 Seoul Team show jumping
Gold 1992 Barcelona Individual show jumping
Gold 1996 Atlanta Team show jumping
Gold 2000 Sydney Team show jumping
World Championships
Silver 1990 Stockholm Team show jumping
Gold 1994 The Hague Team show jumping
Gold 1998 Rome Team show jumping
Bronze 2006 Aachen Team show jumping
European Championships
Gold 1997 Mannheim Team show jumping
Gold 1997 Mannheim Individual show jumping
Gold 1999 Hickstead Team show jumping
Gold 2001 Arnhem Individual show jumping
Bronze 2001 Arnhem Team show jumping
Gold 2003 Donaueschingen Team show jumping
Silver 2003 Donaueschingen Individual show jumping
Silver 2007 Mannheim Team show jumping
Bronze 2007 Mannheim Individual show jumping

Ludger Beerbaum (born 26 August 1963) is an internationally successful German rider who competes in show jumping, and has been ranked the No. 1 Show Jumper in the world by the FEI on multiple occasions.

Contents

[edit] Early life and competitive career

Beerbaum was born in Detmold, Germany. In school he took Business Studies, but eventually gave it up for a career in show jumping.

Beerbaum began riding on a Highland Pony at the age of 8. He had a very successful career as a Junior and Young Rider, which continued into his adulthood. His most notable accomplishments include winning 4 Olympic Golds (his first at age 25) and numerous European and World Championship medals.

[edit] Family

Ludger Beerbaum is the oldest of 4 children, his siblings being Ruth, Monika, and show jumper Markus Beerbaum. He has two children: Alexander and Vivien. He is also brother-in-law to Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

[edit] Top horses

  • Goldfever: 1991 chestnut Hanoverian stallion (by Grosso Z)
  • Ratina Z: 1982 bay Hanoverian mare (Ramiro Z x Almé Z)
  • Gladdys S: 1992 chestnut Westphalian mare (Grandeur x Apart)
  • PS Priamos: 1982 chestnut Westphalian gelding (Pilot x Direx)
  • Enorm: 1997 bay Hanoverian gelding (Escudo I x Calypso II)
  • Couleur Rubin: 1996 chestnut Oldenburg stallion (by Cordalme Z)
  • L'Espoir: 1996 chestnut Zangersheider gelding (by Landwind II)
  • All Inclusive: 1999 bay Westphalian gelding (Arpeggio x Phantom)

[edit] Doping Offense

At the 2004 Olympic Games, Beerbaum and his mount, Goldfever, managed to finish with only 4 penalty points, helping Germany earn the team gold medal. However, following the competition, Goldfever tested positive for the prohibited substance betamethasone. The International Equestrian Federation found Beerbaum guilty of breaking the rules, stripping both him and his German team of their medals, dropping Germany down to bronze. Beerbaum believed the substance to have been present in an ointment administered to the horse due to a skin irritation, and the FEI agreed that the substance provided no competitive advantage. However, in accordance to the rule, Beerbaum was disqualified.

[edit] Record

Ludger Beerbaum, warming up for competition on Enorm.
Ludger Beerbaum, warming up for competition on Enorm.

[edit] Olympic Games

  • Team Gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games: 17.25 penalties (The Freak)
  • Individual Gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games: 0 penalties (Classic Touch)
  • Team Gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games: 1.75 penalties (Ratina Z)
  • Team Gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games: 15 penalties (Goldfever)
  • Disqualified, losing team gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games—See "Doping Offense" above (Goldfever)

[edit] World Championships

[edit] European Championships

  • Team Silver, Individual Bronze at the 2007 CH-EU in Mannheim, Germany (Goldfever 3)
  • Team Gold, Individual Silver at the 2003 CH-EU in Donaueschingen, Germany (Goldfever 3)
  • Team Bronze, Individual Gold at the 2001 CH-EU in Arnhem, Netherlands (Gladdys S)
  • Team Gold, Individually 26th at the 1999 CH-EU in Hickstead, Britain (Champion du Lys)
  • Team Gold, Individual Gold at the 1997 CH-EU in Mannheim, Germany (Ratina Z)
  • Team 4th, Individually 29th at the 1993 CH-EU in Gijon, Spain (Rush On)
  • Team 5th, Individually 21st at the 1991 CH-EU in La Baule, France (Grand Plaisir)
  • Team 5th, Individually 23rd at the 1987 CH-EU in St. Gallen, Switzerland (Wiener Domspatz)
  • Team Bronze, Individual Bronze at the 1984 CH-EU-Y in Cervia, Italy (Wittersfernde)

[edit] World Cup Final

[edit] Other major achievements

  • Multiple No. 1 Show Jumper ranking by the FEI
  • 8-time winner of the German masters (1988, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004)
  • 3-time Rider of the Year (2001, 2002, 2003)
  • 3-time winner of the Grand Prix of Aachen (1996 Ratina Z; 2002 and 2003 Goldfever)
  • Winner of the Bambi prize in 1992

[edit] External links