Tag Archives: In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Pan-Am Games Silver Medallist Andres Rodriguez (VEN), 1984-2016

Andres Rodriguez (VEN), who was tragically killed in a car crash on 4 January 2016. (FEI/Cealy Tetley)

Lausanne (SUI), 5 January 2016 – Venezuelan Jumping athlete Andres Rodriguez, individual silver medallist at the 2015 Pan-American Games, has died in hospital of injuries sustained in a car crash in Wellington, Florida (USA) on 4 January. He was 31.

A passenger in the car, Sophie Walker (30), died at the scene of the crash. Ms Walker was a talented amateur rider on the US national circuit.

Andres Rodriguez’s career highlight came at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto (CAN) when he rode Darlon Van Groenhove to individual silver. He twice represented Venezuela at world championship level, at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) and the 2014 Games in Normandy (FRA).

His first major success came in 1996 when he won the FEI Children’s Jumping Final. He went on to claim team gold and individual silver at the 2013 Bolivarian Games in Lima (PER), team gold at the 2010 Central American & Caribbean Games in Mayaguez (PUR), and individual gold at the South American Games in Medellin (COL) the same year.

The talented Jumping athlete was bidding to make his Olympic debut at Rio 2016, and was also hoping to make his first appearance at the CHIO in Aachen (GER) this year. He had already realised his goal of a place in the world top 50, and was in 41st on the Longines Rankings.

Born in Venezuela, he moved to Europe after graduating from high school to train with Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa. More recently, he was based in Paris (FRA) for the summer season and in Florida (USA) for the winter, where he was trained by Irish Jumping legend Eddie Macken. He married his long-term partner Clementine Goutal last month.

“To lose two young athletes in this dreadful way is a terrible shock and our hearts go out to their families and friends,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “Andres Rodriguez was a world-class athlete and clearly a super star in the making. For his life to be cut short in this way is absolutely heart-breaking.”

“The sport has tragically lost one of its greatest ambassadors with the passing of Andres Rodriguez, and I have lost a dear friend, as indeed have many others,” FEI Jumping Director John Roche said. “Andres was a wonderful horseman and an amazing person with a very positive approach to life. He had a heart as big as Mount Everest. He will be greatly missed by us all.”

The FEI extends its sincere condolences to the family and many friends of Andres Rodriguez, to the Venezuelan Equestrian Federation and the global Jumping community.

FEI Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 787 506 142

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

In Memoriam: Swiss Olympian Max Hauri, 1941-2015

Lausanne (SUI), 10 December 2015 – Swiss Olympian Max Hauri, who competed at the Games in Tokyo 1964 and Munich 1972, has passed away at his home in Seon (SUI), following a recent fall. He was 74.

On his first Olympic outing in Tokyo he finished 10th individually with Millview, just one fault behind Italy’s multiple Olympic medal winner Piero d’Inzeo. In Munich eight years later, he rode Haiti on the Swiss Jumping team that finished fifth, and was a member of the sixth-placed Eventing team with Red Baron.

Swiss Jumping champion from 1960, he competed on more than 50 FEI Nations Cup™ teams for Switzerland. But he was far more than just a top athlete; he was also a highly respected trainer and was brilliant at talent-spotting horses that could make their mark at the highest level of the sport.

Max Hauri built his father’s cattle and horse trading operation up to become one of the leading competition and trade stables. His two sons Markus and Thomas, both international riders in their own right, took over running this successful business following their father’s injury in a riding accident two years ago.

Max Hauri discovered countless top horses on his regular buying trips to Ireland, including two of Rodrigo Pessoa’s top rides, Special Envoy and Tomboy, and Vivaldi, the horse that Nelson Pessoa rode on the Brazilian team at the first FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Stockholm (SWE).

He also found the wonderful little chestnut mare Jessica for his sister, Heidi Robbiani. The pair went on to take individual bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where the Swiss team finished fifth.

Max Hauri also took numerous Irish riders under his wing, including Peter Leonard, Eddie Moloney, Noel Barry, Padraig McCarthy among many.

He also had a military career and was a captain in the Swiss cavalry squadron. On 5 December 1972 the Swiss National Council approved the controversial abolition of the cavalry regiment. Max Hauri, long-time commander of the squadron, initiated a commemoration which continues today at civilian and military events.

“Max was a Swiss Olympian, an officer and a gentleman, a horseman through and through who competed at the highest level throughout his life,” FEI Director of Jumping John Roche said. “He had an incredible eye for a horse which he demonstrated time and time again by the amazing horses that passed through his hands, such as Jessica, Special Envoy, Tomboy and Vivaldi. His presence will be greatly missed by us all.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Max Hauri’s family, many friends, the Swiss National Federation and the global Jumping and Eventing community.

FEI Media contacts:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

In Memoriam: Leon Melchior (BEL), 1926-2015

Leon Melchior, founder of the world-renowned Zangersheide Stud, who has passed away at the age of 88. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Lausanne (SUI), 11 November 2015 – Leon Melchior, founder of the world-renowned Zangersheide Stud, has passed away at the age of 88, at home with his family in Lanaken (BEL).

The business world remembers Leon Melchior as a dynamic and successful entrepreneur. In the world of equestrian sports, he was a pioneer and one of the first to turn the breeding of Jumping horses into a science.

An enterprise that began as a Jumping stables in the 1970s was transformed by Leon Melchior into a breeding farm that eventually became the Zangersheide Stud. Attention to detail and objective assessment of results were key to the success of the Zangersheide venture. He always surrounded himself with experts that could deliver his vision, leading to the consistent production of classically bred, top-class equine athletes with the trademark Z for the Zangersheide Studbook.

Trained by Johan Heins during his international Jumping career, Leon Melchior competed on many Nations Cup teams for The Netherlands. He also organised the Belgian CSIO at Zangersheide for a number of years, as well as hosting the first FEI Nations Cup™ Final in 1991.

Johan Heins, who was based at Zangersheide for many years, always said that Leon Melchior’s greatest achievement was improving the quality of horses competing in the sport of Jumping through his legendary breeding programme. One of the best known horses bred by Leon Melchior was the mare Ratina Z, which Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum rode to individual gold at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992.

Leon Melchior was made an Officer in the Order of Leopold, a Belgian national honorary order. He also received the Maastricht Medal of Merit, and was a freeman of the town of Lanaken. He was also founder of 53 different companies.

Zangersheide and the production of sport horses were his two greatest passions which he enjoyed until the last weeks before his death. His incredible legacy will continue on into the future through his daughter, Judy-Ann, a member of the Belgian Jumping team who will keep the Melchior name to the fore in the equestrian world for many years to come.

“The world of show jumping and horse breeding has lost one of its greatest friends and most generous supporters with the passing away of Leon Melchior,” FEI President Ingmar de Vos said.

“He was the first promoter that put together the world of sport and breeding with the creation of the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses Jumping at Zangersheide. These prestigious championships identify the best young Jumping horses, and the titles have had a very high value from the beginning more than two decades ago. With the Sires of the World, he created a global stage for the best stallions to display their talents.

“Leon was a true visionary and innovator, and his passing leaves a tremendous void in our lives that will be difficult to fill. He was a very close personal friend. I will miss him dearly and my heart is with his family.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Leon Melchior’s family, his many friends, the Belgian Equestrian Federation and the global Jumping community.

Melchior’s funeral will take place at Domain Zangersheide in Lanaken on Tuesday, 17 November.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

In Memoriam: Fritz O. Widmer (SUI), 1922-2015

Lausanne (SUI), 2 October 2015 – Fritz O. Widmer (SUI), former FEI Secretary General and Treasurer, and longstanding Vice President of the Swiss National Federation’s Competition Department, has passed away after a long illness. He was 93.

Widmer had considerable influence in the development of equestrian sport in Switzerland and worldwide. An accomplished rider, he competed internationally in Dressage and Jumping until 1960, and also competed in all three Olympic disciplines at national level. He served as an FEI Jumping Judge and judged Dressage nationally up to Grand Prix level.

During his 14 years of service at the Swiss National Federation, Widmer was instrumental in drafting the Jumping Rules, as well as the development of the license system.

He became FEI Secretary General in 1976, serving under the presidency of HRH Prince Philip, the FEI’s longest serving President. Widmer contributed enormously to the modernisation and business development of the FEI, transferring it from its traditional Brussels headquarters to Bern in Switzerland, forming a secure financial base and solid foundation for its current structure.

Widmer priortised horse welfare and was fully committed to the fight against doping. After leaving the FEI in 1989, he was became an honorary member of the FEI Bureau.

“Fritz Widmer devoted 13 years of his life to the FEI and a whole lifetime to equestrian sport,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender said. “He will be sadly missed, but his reputation will live on for generations to come.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Fritz Widmer’s family, friends, the Swiss National Federation and the global Jumping and Dressage community.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

In Memoriam: Lloyd Landkamer (USA), 1955-2015

Lloyd Landkamer (USA), show secretary, show manager, and sport horse breeder, who has died aged 60 after a long illness. (FEI/Geoff Oliver Bugbee.)

Lloyd Landkamer (USA), FEI Dressage Steward and discipline manager for Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky (USA), has died at the age of 60. He passed away peacefully at his home, Brandywine Farm in Minnesota on 25 September, after a long and courageous battle against cancer.

Landkamer, who started his career as a show secretary before going on to become a show manager and sport horse breeder, became an FEI 2* Dressage Steward at the beginning of 2009 and was promoted to 3* level in 2012.

He was Event Director at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC), the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Festival of Champions, and USEF Young Horse Championships, as well as working as a volunteer at numerous events.

He was a member of the USEF Dressage Committee, and member of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Executive Board, and was named USDF Volunteer of the Year in 2002. As a USEF and FEI official, he served as a USEF Steward, USEF Technical Delegate and FEI Chief Dressage Steward.

Most recently Landkamer was show manager for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington (USA). He was the recipient of the USDF Show Secretary of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. At the 2015 NAJYRC, Landkamer was awarded the Howard B. Simpson High Five Trophy, awarded annually to the volunteer who best embodies Simpson’s spirit of volunteering.

Landkamer became an FEI Steward for the Dressage competitions at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington a decade ago and then became show manager when the schedule was expanded into the 12-week Global Dressage Festival, including seven international events.

“Lloyd was for many years a successful organiser and manager of international Dressage events in the USA,” Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman said. “His knowledge and enthusiasm was very much appreciated by all riders, trainers, owners, media and fans. For me as FEI Dressage Committee Chair and organiser myself it was always good to travel to an event where Lloyd was running the Dressage. The Lloyd stamp was a guarantee that the show would run smoothly without any problems. We will miss him.”

In addition to his extensive service to the sport, Landkamer bred multiple nationally-ranked horses at of Brandywine Farm, including several that went on to become USDF Horse of the Year award winners.

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Lloyd Landkamer’s family, his many friends, the United States Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

In Memoriam: Johannes “Hansi” Wallmeier (GER), 1942-2015

Hansi Wallmeier (GER), the international Judge and Steward, who died last week at the age of 73 after a long illness. (FEI/Stefan Lafrentz)

Lausanne (SUI), 16 September 2015 – Hansi Wallmeier (GER), one of the most well-respected people in national and international equestrian sport, has passed away. He died on 8 September, the day before his 74th birthday, in Bielefeld after a long battle with cancer.

The son of a stable manager, Wallmeier was just 15 years old when he began his commercial apprenticeship at the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports in Warendorf on 1 April 1957, working in the National Federation (FN) Sports Department.

Wallmeier started his career as a flat jockey, before going on to become an accomplished amateur rider, competing successfully in Dressage and Jumping, with 35 victories to his name.

In 1970, Wallmeier switched his focus to judging and, eight years later, became director of the German Association of Judges in Warendorf. After 50 years of service as one of the longest-serving officials in the National Federation, he took his well-earned retirement in April 2007.

Internationally known for his role as an FEI Steward, Wallmeier was a strong advocate for compliance with the FEI rules and regulations, ensuring horse welfare came first. A horseman through and through, he was seen more as a helper and advisor for both riders and horses. He was well respected by the athletes as a real partner of equestrian sport. The highlight of his stewarding career came in 2006 when he was FEI Chief Steward at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Aachen (GER).

Renowned for his significant contribution to clean and fair sport, Wallmeier was honored by the German National Federation in 2006 with the presentation of the Reiterkreuz in Silber (Rider Silver Cross) award. He was also presented with the Horsemanship award by the German Association for the Protection of Horses, as well as the PSI award, celebrating his outstanding contribution to equestrian sport.

“Hansi Wallmeier was a great horseman and a true role model for the entire equestrian world,” Secretary General of the German National Federation Soenke Lauterbach said.

“Hansi Wallmeier was a really wonderful person, who contributed greatly to the sport of Jumping,” FEI Jumping Director John Roche said. “We are extremely grateful for the service he gave to equestrian sport as an international Judge and Steward. He will be greatly missed on the international circuit.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Hansi Wallmeier’s family, his many friends, the German Equestrian Federation and the global Jumping community.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

In Memoriam: Gerrit-Jan Swinkels (NED), 1947-2015

Gerrit-Jan Swinkels (NED), President of Indoor Brabant, pictured here with his horse Tennessee W, ridden by Dutch athlete Henk van de Pol. (Photo: Jacob Melissen)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 May 2015 – Gerrit-Jan Swinkels (67), President of Indoor Brabant, the world-famous equestrian event in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED), died suddenly yesterday at the age of 67 while riding on the Belgian coast at Knokke-Heist in West Flanders.

A passionate horseman, racing driver and diplomat, Swinkels was highly respected as a visionary and renowned for his ability to bring athletes, officials, sponsors and the media together to promote equestrian sport.

He also used his natural entrepreneurial skills to make ground-breaking progress in the sport, including being a driving force as President of the Board of Directors of Springpaarden Fonds Nederland (SFN), which is dedicated to developing Jumping horses and creating winning Dutch Jumping partnerships at FEI Nations Cup™ events, FEI Championships and Olympic Games.

Swinkels became President of Indoor Brabant in 2002 and planned to hand over to his successor in 2017 during the event’s 50th anniversary.

“Gerrit-Jan was a wonderful person, and thanks to him the profile of equestrian sport has grown tremendously”, said John Roche, FEI Jumping Director. “The sport has lost one of its greatest friends, enthusiasts and supporters, and an immeasurable void has been left. We will all miss him greatly.”

Indoor Brabant has welcomed the world’s best indoor Jumping, Dressage and Driving athletes as part of the prestigious FEI World Cup™ series. The first of nine FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals was held at Indoor Brabant in 1986, with the first FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final staged here in 1994. In 2012, the first joint FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Dressage Final was then held, and many qualifiers for these series, and for the FEI World Cup™ Driving, have taken place at the Indoor Brabant.

“It has been a real honour to have Gerrit-Jan as a close personal friend,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “As well as a great sense of humour, he had the magnetism and drive needed to grow equestrian sport, and for this he was valued internationally. Indoor Brabant has been a huge success under his Presidency, with the event welcoming the world’s best indoor Jumping, Dressage and Driving athletes as part of the FEI World Cup series. The equestrian community has lost a true soul mate and my thoughts are with his wife Anja and the children.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Gerrit-Jan Swinkels’ family and friends, the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) and the global equestrian community.

FEI Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

In Memoriam: Andreas Hollmann (GER), 1961-2015

Andreas Hollmann, the German course designer, who died suddenly this week at the age of 53.

Lausanne (SUI), 29 January 2015 – Andreas Hollmann, an FEI Level 3 course designer who learnt his trade with Frank Rothenberger, has died suddenly at the age of 53. He had been working at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour at Oliva in Valencia (ESP) when he collapsed on Tuesday of this week.

Based close to Dortmund, he successfully completed the apprenticeship to become a professional instructor, or Bereiter, in Germany, but health problems meant that he could not continue to work in this area. He competed successfully up to national 1.40 classes, but back problems meant that he had to abandon his competitive career. Not wanting to leave the equestrian world, he took up course design, which became his real love.

Andreas Hollmann worked with Frank Rothenberger for more than 15 years, including the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2006 at Aachen, the European Jumping Championships 2013 at Herning (DEN), and several FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals. He was also the course designer at several CSIs, including at the Olympic Birds’ Nest Stadium in Beijing (CHN) and CSI-Ws in South Africa.

He had been appointed as course designer for this year’s CSIO 5* in Sopot (POL), part of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Europe Division 2 and, for the first time, for the German National Championships, the Bundeschampionat 2015 in Warendorf. He also organised a number of national shows in Germany, together with his sister Gaby.

“Andreas Hollmann was a really wonderful person,” FEI Jumping Director John Roche said. “He was a very familiar presence on the international circuit and was an extremely capable course designer. He always had a big smile on his face, and will be greatly missed by everybody who knew him.”

A minute’s silence was held in memory of Andreas Hollmann at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) yesterday.

“We lost our beloved friend and MET member Andreas Hollmann. We will miss you,” the MET posted on its Facebook page.

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Andreas Hollmann’s family and his many friends, the German Equestrian Federation and the global Jumping community.

Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Denise Devillaire
Manager Press Relations
Denise.devillaire@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 57

In Memoriam: Richard Meade (GBR), 1938-2015

Richard Meade (GBR), triple Olympic gold Eventing champion, former member of the FEI Bureau, FEI Eventing Committee and Chairman of Group II (Northern Europe), is pictured here after winning the Badminton Horse Trials in 1982 with his horse Speculator III. He will be remembered for his life-long dedication to equestrianism. (Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

Lausanne (SUI), 9 January 2015 – Richard Meade (GBR) OBE, triple Olympic gold Eventing champion, former member of the FEI Bureau, FEI Eventing Committee and Chairman of Group II (Northern Europe), has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.

He became the first British athlete to win individual Eventing gold at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, after making his Olympic début in Tokyo eight years earlier.

In Munich, he also helped Great Britain to secure their second consecutive Olympic team gold medal following the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games where, in a tropical downpour in the Jumping phase, he clinched the team title and secured fourth individually with a clear round on Cornishman V, a horse he had never sat on before.

In total he competed in four Olympic Games, as well as the substitute event at Fontainebleau (FRA) in 1980 during the partial boycott of the Moscow Games, and also carried the British flag at the closing ceremony of the Munich Olympics.

He went on to claim team silver at the FEI World Eventing Championships in 1974, and by 1981 had scored team gold three times for Great Britain at the European Championships (1967, 1971, 1981). In 1982, he won his final team Eventing gold at the World Championships in Luhmühlen (GER). As an individual, he also won at Badminton in 1970 and 1982, and the Burghley Horse Trials in 1964.

His dedication to equestrian sport was life-long, and after retiring as an athlete he served as President of the British Equestrian Federation, chairman of the Federation’s British Horse Foundation and on the British Horse Society’s Council.

He was also focused on developing Eventing globally. As well as being a former member of the FEI Bureau and FEI Eventing Committee, and Chairman of Group II (Northern Europe), he was an FEI coach and judge and worked closely with the FEI and the Olympic Solidarity programme to develop Eventing at grass roots level.

“Richard Meade was a brilliant, courageous horseman with a strong sense of team responsibility, who became a household name in Great Britain,” said Hugh Thomas, Chairman of the Board of British Eventing and Director of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

“He was known for his reliability as a member of the British team at the height of its success, and as a rider who had the ability to get on any horse and immediately form a successful partnership with it. Most recently, he gained great pleasure from seeing his son, Harry, compete for the senior British team. Richard will be very sorely missed by many people around the world.”

“Richard Meade was the horseman of his day, putting Eventing on the map and the spotlight on the glamour and excitement of horse sport,” said Catrin Norinder, FEI Director, Eventing & Olympic. “He inspired sports fans and athletes around the world at the Mexico and Munich Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and back on home soil at Badminton and Burghley, which continue to showcase international Eventing at its best.

“After competing, he continued to dedicate his life to equestrian sport and the equestrian community in many valuable roles, including giving his services as a volunteer at the London 2012 Olympic Games. We are all truly grateful for his loyalty and commitment, and immensely proud of his Olympic Eventing legacy.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Richard Meade’s wife Angela and their three children – Team GBR member Harry, James and Lucy – his many friends, the British Equestrian Federation and the global Eventing community.

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

In Memoriam: Wojtek Markowski (POL), 1947-2015

Wojtek Markowski (POL), who has passed away at the age of 67, will be remembered for his many years of dedication to Dressage. (Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 7 January 2015 – Wojtek Markowski (POL), FEI 5-star Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate (TD) at the London 2012 Olympic Games, passed away on 5 January after a battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.

He judged at his first Olympic Games in Athens (GRE) in 2004, and he viewed his TD role at London 2012 as a major career highlight. He had also been appointed as TD for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Markowski obtained his first riding instructor diploma from Poznan Academy of Physical Education in 1975 and became active as an international judge in 1982. By 1989, he had become a 5-star judge, and during his long association with the FEI he acted as Foreign Judge, Technical Delegate and Ground Jury President and member at numerous high profile FEI events, including the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2006 and 2010, FEI European Dressage Championships and FEI World Cup™ Finals.

Passionate about the development of Dressage, he was also one of the first judges to support the FEI World Dressage Challenge, which was created in 1982, and since judged at many of the events around the world.

In 2012, he was appointed board member of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), where he proposed the creation of the EEF Dressage Working Group which he then chaired. He was also the Eastern & Central Europe representative for the International Dressage Officials Club (IDOC).

“No words are adequate to express the sadness we feel,” Secretary General of the Polish Equestrian Federation Łukasz Jankowski said. “Wojtek Markowski was a great person and international five-star Dressage judge, a great supporter of dressage in Poland and around the world, and a great EEF Board member.”

“Wojtek played a central role in judging and developing international Dressage in a career spanning over 30 years,” Trond Asmyr, FEI Director Dressage and Para-Equestrian, said. “He was one of our most active judges and had a brilliant statistician’s mind. Thanks to his sought-after expertise, he was due to head to his second consecutive Olympic Games as Technical Delegate in Rio in 2016. He has left a valuable legacy for international Dressage, and his dedication and passion for our sport will be very sorely missed.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Wojtek Markowski’s family and many friends, to the Polish Equestrian Federation and to the global Dressage community.

FEI Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45