Jan Meersmans, former Belgian international dressage judge and long-time chef d'equipe of the pony team, has passed away on 8 June 2017. He was 87 years old.
Meersmans (° 20 Nov 2930) was the founder and CEO of a tile production company and real estate agency, but dedicated much of his spare time to dressage sport.
He was a very committed horse lover who committed much of his time to the development of dressage pony sport in Belgium. He organized numerous training sessions for pony and youth riders with respected judges and trainers. For instance, in the early 1990s he invited foreign judges such as Uwe Mechlem as speaker at clinics in order to bring international experience to Belgium for pony kids.
He was also actively involved as member of the organizing committee of the CDI's in Schoten, Belgium, where he was in charge of the construction and management of the stabling facilities and arenas.
Meersmans was long-time chef d'equipe of the Belgian dressage pony team. Under his supervision, Meersmans saw two Belgian riders become European Pony Champion: Judith Godfroid on Emmaly (1993) and Delphine Meiresonne on Noble Casper (1998). He also captained the team that won two team silver medals (Hasselt 1993 and Achselschwang 1995) and that included some of Belgium's most successful pony riders ever, such as Veronique de Baecker (Fuego) and Veronique Wuydts (Emmaly). He retired as chef d'equipe in 1999.
Meersmans died peacefully in the presence of his family in Brasschaat. He leaves behind his wife Jeannine Neumann, sister Dora, three children and three grand children.
His funeral will be held on Saturday 17 June 2017 in the OLV Gedurige Bijstand church in Ekeren, Belgium.
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Jan Meersmans
Jan Meersmans Retires as Belgian Pony Chef d'Equipe
Pony Chef d'Equipe Meersmans selects provisional A and B frame
Delphine Meiresonne, 1998 European Pony Champion: a Story Too Good to Be True
Volders, Verreet and De Baecker on top at 1999 CDI Mechelen
Laurence van Doorslaer, Torchbearer of Belgian FEI Pony Dressage
