Partner
Every life implies changes – on a personal and a professional level. Isabell faced such a change in 2001, when she and the Doctor terminated their cooperation. The Winter-Schulze family, patrons of Ludger Beerbaum and completely mad about horses for decades, filled the gap and acted as sponsors, bought “Isabell’s” horses from the Doctor and invited the dressage rider to come to Mellendorf near Hanover. Isabell accepted the offer.
The Olympian rider comments: “For me this was a time of self-discovery, of growing up – although I was already 32 years old. I could practise and school my horses without being disturbed and find out, what kind of life I wanted for myself in the future: to be a lawyer, a sponsoring manager or “only” a rider – there were so many questions to consider and decisions to be taken.”
At Mellendorf she could do this, and the Winter-Schulze family stood by her side as good friends and “second family”. Also with regard to riding, Isabell and Madeleine Winter-Schulze got on with each other immediately, which was no wonder since former German champion Madeleine had ridden competitions up to Grand Prix level. Even now that Isabell Werth has decided to make riding her profession and manages her own stable at Rheinberg, the Winter-Schulze family are still good friends, generous sponsors and important critics. Madeleine Winter-Schulze visits most competitions to coach Isabell together with dressage trainer Wolfram Wittig and keeps her fingers crossed for her to succeed. When you observe her while Isabell competes in the arena, you may see how in her mind she rides every piaffe and the flying changes on every stride together with Isabell ..