Ludger Beerbaum bows out after team bronze in Rio

Top showjumper Ludger Beerbaum has called time on his international career at the age of 52, having been a mainstay of the German team for nearly 30 years.

After claiming team bronze in the Rio Games, he announced that he was bowing out of the German team.

“It was a tough decision,” said Ludger. “I’m working on a number of projects and I will focus on my stable at home, and on training and selling young horses. I’m grateful that I was able to represent Germany as a rider. Now this is a job for my younger colleagues.”

Ludger was part of the gold-medal winning team in Seoul (1988), Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). He also claimed individual gold with Classic Touch in Barcelona in 1992. He has also won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at world championships and six gold, three silver and two bronze from European championships.

Beerbaum will make his final appearance in his red Team Germany jacket at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final in Barcelona next month.