International driving community mourns the passing of Eberhard ‘Hardy’ Zantke

Zantke’s involvement with horses and carriage driving began at an early age. As a youngster in East Germany, he learned to drive teams of draught horses at his grandfather’s transport company. He later received formal equestrian training in the West German army.

Together with his wife Jutta, he emigrated to the United States and settled in Torrance, California. During the 1980s and 1990s, Hardy and Jutta were successful competitors in American Combined Driving. With their Pairs of large bay Holsteiner geldings, they competed throughout the United States and Canada. In 1993, they were first reserve for the US team at the Pairs World Championship.

From young horses to international level

In addition to his skills as a driver, Zantke was also known for his abilities as a trainer. Hardy and Jutta developed two Pairs from the time the horses were imported as three-year-olds through to being long-listed for the US team.

They also competed with a Four-in-Hand and were named to the USET Developing Driver List with this team.

After retiring from competition, Hardy and Jutta remained closely involved in Combined Driving. From 1990 to 2000, they were both involved in organising the California Classic CDE.

Thirteen US teams

Zantke’s experience as a driver, organiser and judge also served him well in his role as Chef d’Equipe. Between 1996 and 2006, he accompanied thirteen US teams to World Championships. During that period, the teams under his guidance brought home five medals.

Zantke was also internationally active as an instructor. He gave numerous clinics and was known for his friendly, direct and effective teaching style. Away from equestrian sport, he had a career as an executive in the transport industry. For many years, he also represented a German carriage manufacturer.

International judge

Zantke also built a long career as a judge. He was an FEI 3* Judge in both Driving and Para Equestrian Driving, a Senior Judge with the American Driving Society (ADS), and a qualified judge with the US equestrian federation.

He served on Ground Juries at driving competitions throughout North America and beyond. Until just a few weeks before his passing, he was still active as an official at Combined Driving Events.

Zantke also shared his knowledge through articles and columns for various driving publications around the world. His regular column, From Between my Blinders, in the ADS magazine The Whip, was popular with readers.

In recognition of his many years of service, he was named an Honorary Director of the American Driving Society. In 2000, he received the ADS President’s Award for his continued contribution to the sport of driving. In 2014, he was also honoured as one of the forty most distinguished members in the history of the ADS.

Hardy Zantke is survived by his wife Jutta, his children Tina, Julie and Ziggy, and his grandchildren Finn, Otto, Marta, Knut and Gustav. His decades of dedication as a driver, trainer, official, Chef d’Equipe, organiser and writer have left a lasting mark on the international driving community.

Source: American Driving Society
Photo: Teri Reinemer