Michael Schumacher’s 20-year-old daughter Gina showed off her impressive riding skills at a major equestrian competition yesterday as her boyfriend and mother looked on with pride.
Over 200 riders have entered the NRHA European Derby at the Euroexpo arena in Lyon, France, where winners can claim prizes from a pot of £140,000.
Gina was watched by her boyfriend Iain Bethke and mother Corinna Schumacher, 48, as she tore up the sand in a cowboy hat and attire straight out of the American West.
Back in August, the Formula 1 legend’s daughter put in a gold-medal-winning performance at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland, where she wowed a 1,400-strong crowd with her exceptional skills.
Over 200 riders have entered the NRHA European Derby at the Euroexpo arena in Lyon, France, where winners can claim from a pot of £140,000, including Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher’s daughter, Gina (pictured)
Daddy’s girl: Gina put in an impressive performance at the Eurexpo Expedition Centre in Lyon as she rode western-style – featuring cowboy hat
She was watched by her boyfriend Iain Bethke and mother Corinna Schumacher, 48, as she tore up the sand in a cowboy hat and attire straight out of the American West
In Lyon, Gina was photographed being helped onto her horse by her attentive boyfriend (pictured). He also helped fit her boots before riding around the venue on a hoverboard while checking his phone
Back in August, the Formula 1 legend’s daughter put in a gold-medal-winning performance at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland, where she wowed a 1,400-strong crowd with her exceptional skills. Pictured: Gina in Lyon yesterday
Sandsplash: Gina handles her horse expertly as it turns in sand in front of the crowds at the Eurexpo Expedition Centre in Lyon yesterday
In Lyon, Gina was photographed being helped onto her horse by her attentive boyfriend.
He also helped fit her boots before riding around the venue on a hoverboard while checking his phone.
Her mother, meanwhile, held the reins at one point and smiled on as her daughter coolly demonstrated her expert skills.
Earlier this week, an iconic picture of her father kissing his Ferrari while at the peak of his racing career in 2006 circulated online, with tens of thousands of people like the Instagram post.
Earlier this week, an iconic picture of her father kissing his Ferrari while at the peak of his racing career in 2006 circulated online, with tens of thousands of people like the Instagram post
Her seven-time world champion father was put into a medically induced coma after a skiing accident in the French Alps back in 2013. He is understood to have a 15-strong team of medics looking after him at his home in Geneva, Switzerland. Pictured: Gina riding with determination as a crowd looks on
Gina’s boyfriend, Iain Bethke, ensures her footwear is in order during the National Reining Horse Association European Derby in Lyon
Leg up: The devoted Bethke was there for his girlfriend as she competed in the competition in France yesterday
Michael Schumacher awoke from his coma in 2014 but remains immobile and cannot speak. FIA president Jean Todt said in December that Schumacher was ‘still fighting’. Pictured: Gina and her boyfriend in the arena
It was accompanied by ‘#TeamMichael’ and ‘#KeepFighting’ as emotional fans wished him well after his skiing accident in 2013.
The seven-time world champion was put into a medically induced coma after the incident in the French Alps.
He is understood to have a 15-strong team of medics looking after him at his home in Geneva, Switzerland.
Schumacher was in the coma for six months after the accident on December 29, 2013, having banged his head on a rock despite wearing a helmet.
Doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain, but some were left because they were too deeply embedded.
Medics described his condition as ‘extremely serious’ after his admission to Grenoble Hospital, where he underwent two life-saving operations.
Hundreds of competitors are taking part in the competition, including riders from France, the UK, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden. Pictured: Gina
Iain Bethke spends time with Gina’s mother Corinna, who is a keen equestrian herself and owns with husband Michael a ranch in Texas and stables in Switzerland
Bethke and Corinna entertain themselves at the arena between Gina’s performances
Three months later a statement was released confirming that the F1 champion was no longer in a coma and had left Grenoble Hospital.
Schumacher awoke from his coma in 2014 but remains immobile and cannot speak.
FIA president Jean Todt said in December that Schumacher was ‘still fighting’.
Ross Brawn, the managing director of motorsports at F1, added: ‘We keep praying every day that he’ll recover to a stage where… it’s slow, but there’s always hope.’
In December, a statement from his manager, Sabine Kehm, said: ‘Michael’s health is not a public issue, and so we will continue to make no comment in that regard.
Gina’s boyfriend Iain Bethke looks on as his girlfriend performs in the National Reining Horse Association European Derby yesterday
Cowgirl: A composed Gina shows off her poise as she rides in the western category of the National Reining Horse Association European Derby in France
Preparation: Gina tucks in her shirt while Iain rubs her horse’s head on the sidelines of the Euroexpo arena in Lyon, France
Michael was believed to have been worth £500 million before his tragic accident. Pictured: Gina buttons up her shirt while her horse is brushed in Lyon yesterday
‘We have to protect his intimate sphere. Legally seen and in the longer term, every statement related to his health would diminish the extent of his intimate sphere.’
The statement continued: ‘Michael has always been very protective of his privacy, even during the most successful times of his career. He has always made sure there is a clear and distinct line between his public persona and his private one.’
But his former teammate Johnny Herbert has revealed the F1 legend has ‘good days and bad days’.
And friend Ross Brawn said: ‘The family are conducting his convalescence in private and I need to respect that.
‘So I don’t want to comment on his condition beyond saying we’re extremely hopeful we’ll see Michael as we knew him at some point in the future.’
He is believed to have been worth £500 million before the accident.