Anthea Hartmann's Rubinario Passed Away

Dressage

Switzerland

Former Swiss Grand Prix rider Anthea Hartmann said goodbye to her career-launching dressage horse, Rubinario. The bay gelding passed away on 3 February 2026.

Rubinario was a 2001 born Westfalian by Rubin-Royal out of Rosalinde (by Ramires x Bogenschütze). He was bred by Heinrich Ramsbrock.

From Young Horse to Grand Prix

Purchased by the Swiss Hartmann family, Rubinario became Anthea Hartmann's defining ride.

Anthea made her national show debut with a 5-year old Rubinario in 2006 at the national show in Würenlos and they moved to junior level in 2009. They were nominated on the Swiss team for the 2009 European Junior Riders Championships in Ermelo, where they finished 24th in the individual ranking. In 2010 they moved to small tour level and returned on the Swiss team at the 2011 European Young Riders Championships in Broholm, where they were 32nd in the team test. They remained at Young Riders level through 2012, competing in Vidauban, Stadl Paura, and Achleiten before returning on the Swiss team a third, consecutive time for the European Championships in Brne, where they were 35th in the individual test.

The pair did their first Intermediaire II in 2013 in Switzerland and their first international Under 25 Grand Prix tests at the 2015 CDI Saumur. That year they campaigned in Prangins and Salzburg. In 2016 they represented Switzerland at the inaugural European Under 25 Championships in Hagen and placed 36th in the short Grand Prix.

Hartmann's last international year on Rubinario was in 2017 as a senior, showing at the CDI Crozet. They continued to compete nationally through September 2020. They showed at numerous Swiss Championships from Junior level to U25 and finished 6th in 2008, 7th in 2010, 6th in 2011, 4th in 2012, 7th in 2014, and 4th in 2015. They got silver in 2016 as U25 and were 10th as seniors in 2017.

Retirement

Rubinario was retired from sport after that last show. He spent a full five years in retirement and would have turned 25 in spring.

"You fought bravely against laminitis (triggered by cushing), and in recent weeks your condition had improved significantly, and it seemed as if you had overcome the worst," Anthea explained. "All the more unexpected and painful was the relapse two days ago (start of February), which occurred without any apparent cause Seeing you suffer like that again was almost unbearable and ultimately led to the difficult, but probably only right, decision to release you from your suffering."

Rubinario was put to sleep on 3 February 2026.

"I look back with gratitude on all the years and experiences we shared," said Anthea. "You were so much more than just my sporting partner, with whom I traveled across the continent and participated in four European Championships. You were my best and most loyal friend. The memories will last forever, and I am so grateful for everything you did for me and everything I was able to experience with him. For twenty years you were by my side and always there for me, especially when I was feeling down. I knew I could find comfort with you in the stable. The void you leave behind is enormous and it hurts so much because you were truly special. You will forever hold a special place in my heart – you are and always will be my once-in-a-lifetime horse – my soul horse."

Hartmann's international career ended in 2017 but she continues to compete in Switzerland, most recently on horses Desperado H (by De Niro x Campari M) and Benicio RR (by Benicio x De Niro).

"Unfortunately, I could never afford another horse like Rubinario," Anthea explained. "This sport is tough, and without sufficient financial resources, you hardly stand a chance. I now work as a teacher. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to find another Rubinario."