Rosemarie Springer (also Rosemarie Alsen, née Lorenz; July 5, 1920 – April 2, 2019) was a German equestrian. Born in Danzig,[1] she was the daughter of Werner Lorenz, who would later become an SS member and head of the Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle in Nazi Germany.[2] She first rode a horse at the age of two, sitting on her father's lap, and took up equestrianism at a young age. Her career was interrupted by World War II, however, and she served as a nurse during the conflict. She did not resume riding until 1950 but, soon after, her talents were spotted at a Berlin horse show.[3] Among other international appearances, she participated in the individual dressage event at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where she finished seventh in a field of seventeen competitors.[1] She retired from active competition in the late 1970s, having been the German national champion in women's dressage seven times.[3] Following her competitive career, Springer took up judging and training,[3] the latter of which occupied her time until at least 2012. In her late 80s she continued to ski twice a year and occasionally ride in informal tournaments in Germany.[4] She married cement manufacturer Horst-Herbert Alsen in 1941 and divorced him in 1953 to marry Alsen's friend, journalist Axel Springer. This union lasted until 1961 when Springer left her to marry Helga Ludewig.[5]
On her 75th birthday, Springer was honored by the German Equestrian Federation (FN) for her contributions to the sport. She died on April 2, 2019 at the age of 98.[6]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gjerde, Arild; Jeroen Heijmans (March 27, 2012). "Rosemarie Springer Biography and Olympic Results". Olympics. Sports Reference.com. https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sp/rosemarie-springer-1.html. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
- ↑ Köhler, Otto (2012-04-30). "Axel Cäsar Springer lebt" (in German). http://www.jungewelt.de/2012/04-30/040.php. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bertke, Ellen (2012). "Olympia Dressurreiterin Rosemarie Springer" (in de). Markus Waterhues. Archived from the original on 2011-04-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20110416033216/http://www.waterhues-dressur.de/rosemarie-springer.html. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
- ↑ Langmaack, Werner (2010-05-11). "Plädoyer für den Pferdewechsel bei der Dressur in Klein Flottbek" (in German). https://www.welt.de/die-welt/sport/article7574788/Plaedoyer-fuer-den-Pferdewechsel-bei-der-Dressur-in-Klein-Flottbek.html. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
- ↑ "Die Frau von der Insel und ihre große Liebe" (in German). 2005-02-06. https://www.welt.de/print-wams/article122803/Die-Frau-von-der-Insel-und-ihre-grosse-Liebe.html. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
- ↑ Helkenberg, Uta (3 April 2019). "Rosemarie Springer verstorben". German Equestrian Federation. https://www.pferd-aktuell.de/fn/newsticker/personalia/rosemarie-springer-verstorben-. (German)
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