German trainer Jan Bemelmans has been hired as the new French dressage team trainer. Jan was the former Spanish team trainer who led Spain to its biggest dressage successes to date.
The French Equestrian Federation (FFE) had been asking Bemelmans if he were to consider working for them when his time as Spanish team trainer was up. Following Jan's resignation as Spanish team coach after being on the job there for 15 years, the FFE approached the Belgian born trainer again and he has accepted the job.
Though concrete negotiations about the job description still have to take place, the main goal for Bemelmans and the French Federation, which approved his appointment at its General Assembly a couple of weeks ago, is to bring the French dressage team to new heights at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France.
Bemelmans has already been conducting three clinics with the French GP hopeful riders since October 2012 and he will continue to commute to France once a month in order to spot and support new talent in addition to coaching the confirmed Grand Prix pairs.
Bemelmans, who is fluent in French, confirmed to Eurodressage that he is also working on establishing a strong co-operation with the French home trainers so they all are on the same wavelength.
"I am very optimistic and look forward to the task ahead," Bemelmans told Eurodressage.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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