R.I.P. und Good bye Wim.
RB | Dressage – The dressage world has lost one of its big ones. Wim Ernes is dead. The 57-year old died of complications from cancer that was diagnosed in January 2016.
Shortly before Christmas 2015 the dressage world was about to stand still. After a seizure the Dutch Bondscoach Wim Ernes had to be hospitalized and early January the terrible diagnosis was made: a malignant tumor that was so bad that it could not be operated on. Wim Ernes withdrew from the public and started his fight against cancer.
One last time was Wim, clearly marked, in public in 2016 at the Indoor Brabant when he was honored for his „Golden Team“. His golden team riders – Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud, Diederik van Silfhout and Patrick van der Meer – rode for him in the hall that was occupied to the last seat and shed bitter tears when Wim Ernes tried to thank them, his voice choked with tears. You could feel the connection with „his horsemen“ and the teamwork for which he stood for all his life. The audience rose for a standing ovation. It was to be his last public appearance
https://youtu.be/nqSJ4EyCQYw
The Sir in dressage
Wim Ernes was a horseman through and throug: Trainer, Bondscoach and chairman of the KWPN stallion licensing. His knowledge, his style, his always friendly and calm manner earned him international recognition. In 2012 he worked among others as a judge at the Olympic Games of London, in 2013 he assumed the office of the Dutch Bondscoach as successor to the controversial Sjef Janssen and led his team at the European Championship Herning (Denmark) to team silver. At the World Championships in Caen (France) and at the European Championships in Aachen in 2015 his team took gold.
Only yesterday (31.10.2016) he received the Gold KNHS as a sign of recognition for his commitment to the Dutch equestrian sport. Today Wim Ernes is dead.
The dressage world loses a man who has not only influenced dressage but also the sport. He was a Sir, always friendly, with infinite expertise. Listening to him was an explosion of knowledge about horse and rider.
Thanks Wim – for many conversations, beautiful moments and your wonderful way. It was an honour for me and an honour for us!
In deepest mourning we take leave of you. We will send your family strenght and power in such a vulnerable moment of sadness. We will keep you in living memory, Wim. Goodbye. Rest in Peace. Ruth and the whole EQWO team
This article was written by EQUESTRIAN WORLDWIDE – EQWO.net and is NOT a press release. Copying of the text and pictures is not allowed.
