Jacques Henry Menard Passed Away

Dressage

French Dressage News

Former French dressage team rider and trainer Jacques Henry Menard has passed away on 5 January 2017. He was 73 years old and succumbed to cancer.

Jacques was originally an eventing and show jumping rider before switching fully to dressage with the Anglo Arabian Ali A. He was a regular competitor at CDIs in the 1980s and aboard Epsom he became a member of the French team that placed fourth at the 1987 European Championships in Goodwood, Great Britain.

He was trained by Colonel Margot as well as by Charles de la Doucette, Dr Schmitke, Willy Shulteis, and Norbert van Laak. He also officiated as an international 4* dressage judge.

Menard coached numerous French Grand Prix riders, such as a Jean Philip Siat, Ludovic Henry, Caroline Poyet Brun, Barbara Klinger, Sebastien Duperdu, Philippe Maynier, and Florence Faure. Jacques' daughter Constance represented France at the 2005 European Championships on the Dutch Guelderlander mare Lianca.

Siat, who trained with Menard from 1997 til 2008, said, "he hads been a true mentor, a bit like a second father to me. He taught me almost everything, to listen to the horse, to understand it."

Menard was based in Courteilles, France, since 1983. He made his last public appearance in October to celebrate Ludovic Henry's 2016 Olympic Games' participation. Henry trained with Menard for twenty years.

"It's an immense sadness for the horse world," said Ludovic Henry about Menard's passing. "He introduced me to dressage thirty years ago and whispered this devouring passion into me. He taught me respect for horses and passed on his knowledge to so many top level riders. He was my mentor. His energy, legendary humour, his strength and his immense knowledge will stay with us forever."

The funeral will take place on Tuesday morning 10 January 2017 in the church of Verneuil sur Avre, France.