Gustav Meyer zu Hartum, an honorary member of the German Equestrian Federation (FN), passed away on May 13, 2025, at the age of 83. He began his equestrian journey early, excelling in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. From the 1970s, he and his wife Christine operated a successful horse breeding business in Herford, training around 60 apprentices in agriculture and horse management until 2009.
Meyer zu Hartum played a significant role in equestrian governance, serving on the board of the Westphalian Horse Stud Book from 1995 and chairing it from 1997 to 2012. He was also involved with the FN’s breeding division and executive committee, advocating for stronger ties between breeders and the equestrian sport community. His efforts focused on ensuring proper horse handling and promoting fair competition, especially amidst the challenges of globalization in horse breeding.
In recognition of his contributions, he received numerous honors, including the Federal Cross of Merit and the Gustav Rau Medal for his service to horse breeding. Additionally, he was active in local politics, serving as deputy mayor of Herford until 2012. His legacy is marked by his commitment to both equestrian sports and community service.
