Wim Ernes, Dutch national equestrian coach, Died at 58

  Sports

Willem Egidius Johannes “Wim” Ernes was born on July 2, 1958, and died on November 1, 2016.

He was a Dutch equestrian dressage coach from Schimmert.

He was seen as an icon within the Dutch equestrian sport.

He was the coach twice for the Dutch national dressage team, his first from 1993 to 1996 and the second time since 2013.

In his first season of the Dutch dressage team won the silver medal at the 1994 World Championships and the silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

In his second period the Dutch dressage team won the silver medal at the 2013 European Championships, the bronze medal at the 2014 World Championships and gold at the 2015 European Championships.

During December 2015 he got an epileptic attack due to a tumor is his brains.

Wim Ernes could left the hospital in January 2016. He was able do things independently, but had to take the necessary rest.

Wim had to quit his job as national coach and was not able to go to the 2016 Summer Olympics. Johan Rockx took over his position.

He was honored with the gouden speld (golden pin) by the Dutch National Equestrian Federation (KNHS) on 31 October 2016 for his contributions.

Then the next day, he died.

He lived in Schimmert and he was married.

He had a daughter in 1988 named Maud.

His team that won the gold medal at the 2015 European Championships, Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud, Diederik van Silfhout and Patrick van der Meer will carry his coffin during his funeral on 5 November 2016.

Wim Ernes passed away at 58 years old.