Rosemarie Springer

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]