Wim Ernes was also very involved in the breeding side of the industry, chairing the KWPN Stallion Dressage Selection Committee for three years until November 2015, having previously worked extensively within the Committee for five years before taking over as Chair.
In recognition of his huge contribution to equestrian sport in the Netherlands, Wim Ernes was earlier this week honoured with the prestigious golden KNHS award by the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (De Koninklijke Nederlandse Hippische Sportfederatie).
High Performance Director at the Netherlands Olympic Committee Maurits Hendriks said:
“With the death of Wim Ernes, Dutch elite sport has lost a very special coach with a personal style of working. He was open and believed in the power of sharing.”
High Performance Director and Secretary General of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) Maarten van der Heijden said:
“Wim possessed the ability to connect people to work together and create an atmosphere where everyone felt at home.”
Frank Kemperman, FEI Executive Board member and Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee also remembers Wim Ernes fondly:
“Wim was an all-round horseman with a heart for Dressage. He was also a really focused judge and a man who was always coming up with new ideas for the sport. We will miss him intensely.”
Former FEI Dressage Director Trond Asmyr also spoke warmly of him:
“Nobody ever had a bad word to say about Wim. He was one of the sport’s most respected judges and made a real difference to the level of our sport in many countries.”
The 2015 European gold medal team of Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud, Diederik van Silfhout and Patrick van der Meer will carry the coffin at Wim Ernes’ funeral service in his home town of Schimmert (NED) on Saturday.
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Wim Ernes, to the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.
