Salzgeber's Protegé Frank Freund Relocates to Gut Angerhof and Starts Own Business

Sales and Training

German Grand Prix rider Frank Freund is relocating to Gut Angerhof in Ludenhausen, Germany, where he will begin his own, independent business as a trainer and rider.

Frank Freund

The 43-year old Freund is born and raised in a horsey family near Frankfurt with his father Michael Freund being the former World Champion in four-in-hand driving.

He grew up around horses and first competed on the German pony and junior riders circuit before deciding to dedicate his life to dressage as a professional. At the age of 18 he became a working student and then assistant to German Olympic medal winner Ulla Salzgeber and has honed his skills under her tutelage and supervision.

A holder of the Golden Rider Badge, Freund rode his first FEI Nations Cup in Hickstead at the age of 25 in 2003 and participated twice in the Piaff Forderpreis Final as well as amassed a string of regional champion's title in Bavaria and Swabia. He competed eight different horses in international dressage competitions, four of them at Grand Prix level.

Dressurstall Freund & Salzgeber

On Royal Cabaret at the 2020 CDI Mariakalnok

His collaboration with Salzgeber turned from a trainer - student one into a professional collaboration side-by-side.

In 2018 the duo purchased equestrian center Reitstall am Lechfeld in Königsbrunn as their base for "Dressurstall Freund & Salzgeber." In 2022 Salzgeber bought out Frank's share and he took a lease on the barn for the next three years.

Salzgeber has now sold the facility as she slows down professionally to focus solely on coaching. For Frank it was the moment to fully spread his wings.

"I’m forever grateful for what I learned and all the opportunities I have been given," said Freund. "Ulla paved the way for me in the first years and I was able to build up my own base of customers with students and horse owners."

Going Independent

Freund will begin his independent business at the brand new Gut Angerhof on 1 January 2026.

"Gut Angerhof is newly built and provides everything the horses need on highest standards including perfect training possibilities," said Freund. " Beside the riding I’m teaching a lot including students from the Philippines and Canada that aim to represent their countries at the upcoming Asian Games, World championships and Pan American Games."

In 2025 Freund has been showing much at national events in Germany and Austria. His top horses at the moment are the Ayala couple's 14-year old Bavarian gelding Duellant (by Don Diamond x Rivero II) who is schooling at Grand Prix. With the 11-year old Oldenburg Escobahn (by Escolar x Lord Sinclair) he has arrived at medium tour level, while his own 5-year old DSP bred Super Trouper (by Secret x Riccio) is his hope for the future.

"I’m feeling very good about what the future is holding for me, my students and my horses," said Freund. "I'm feeling confident and looking forward to building up my own business even more."

Contact Frank Freund on frankfreund@web.de or reach out via Instagram