German Dressage Coach dies unexpectedly

By Staff Report April 21, 2012

Holger Schmezer, national coach of the German Dressage team since 2001, died unexpectedly in his hotel room in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands during the night of April 19. The 65-year-old coach had traveled to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals three German riders competing in the event.

Schmezer was born in 1947, the son of a naval officer. At the age of 15, he discovered modern pentathlon and took particular interest in the equestrian element. He gradually concentrated on riding and began competing in show jumping and eventing. After obtaining certification as a horse trainer, he spent four years working with the legendary dressage coach Willi Schultheis.

Schmezer managed a private stable for eight years and in 1979 he established his own dressage practice. The following year, he became a professional riding instructor and steadily gained an excellent reputation as a trainer. As a competitor, he won over 100 national competitions and was placed in numerous international events at grand prix level.

In 1996, Schmezer became the national dressage trainer for the nation’s Junior and Young Rider teams,  and five years later, in 2001, he was appointed as national dressage coach for the high performance team.

All the riders and officials, who took part in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final Grand Prix in ’s-Hertogenbosch, came out for a minute’s silence held in Schmezer’s honour before the prize ceremony.

The three German riders―Isabell Werth, Helen Langehanenberg and Nadine Capellmann―wore black armbands in the arena for the April 20 grand prix and dedicated their performances to their mentor.

“The loss of Holger Schmezer is a terrible blow to the German dressage team. To lose such an inspirational coach in an Olympic year is tragic,” FEI president HRH Princess Haya said. “Our hearts go out to his wife Martha and his six year old daughter Olenka for their terrible loss and to all his many friends and connections in the equestrian world.”

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