Michael Schumacher's daughter opens up: 'Had to do something after my father’s accident'

Since Michael Schumacher's tragic skiing accident in 2013, the family has kept the situation under wraps and requested privacy over the situation.

However, in the new ZDF documentary Pferdestärke - Die Welt der Gina Schumacher, which RacingNews365 had the opportunity to watch before its release, daughter Gina shares emotional details about how she experienced the past years. 

For her, horseback riding turned out to be much more than just a hobby; it was a way to cope with the family's new reality.

Gina, who is now a multiple world champion in the competitive reining, explained: "After my father's accident, I really dove right in, because I had to do something.

“The horses have always been important, but since then, I simply can't live without them. They've helped me through everything."

Corinna Schumacher, wife of seven-time champion Michael, shared a conversation she had with her husband when Gina was 10 years old.

Back then, Michael was able to see his daughter had the instinct to make it to the top of equestrian and event exceed her mother's footsteps.

“Michael once said to me, 'Gina will be much better than you,'" Corinna said. "'Because she's more selfish. If you're an athlete, you have to be selfish in a way. That's great, because otherwise you don't accomplish anything.'

"Today I think: he was so right."

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Manager Schumacher recognizes Michael and daughter Gina

Schumacher's long-time manager Sabine Kehm sees major similarities between father and daughter, which she first witnessed when she was 15: "She felt that her horse did not yet have the calm and she waited. To my mind, that took 10 minutes.

"I found it incredible that such a young girl was already so strong mentally. She only started when she noticed that the horse had the calm for it. 

“I know that focus and that tunnel vision from Michael, too, of course. I believe she got that competitive spirit from him."

But Gina remains humble under her own successes and attributes each achievement to the opportunities her parents provided.

"I'm grateful that I can do this,” she said. “It's not something you should take for granted.

"My parents made this possible. That's why it's always been important for me to work really hard so I can do the best I can."

The documentary will be released in full on April 17.