Danish Equestrian Federation Renews Contract with Wolfram Wittig as Technical Advisor

Dressage

Denmark

The Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF) announced that it has renewed its contract with Wolfram Wittig as dressage "Technical Advisor" until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

"Consistent Expert Coach"

The Danish equestrian federation caused much upheaval when it abruptly severed its ties with Danish team trainer Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein in November 2021.

The NF issued a statement that it no longer needed a "team trainer" but preferred to work with different coaches as an expert panel along the way.

However by March 2022 the DRF made a U-turn and hired German Wolfram Wittig as "a consistent expert coach and Technical Advisor," different terminology which covered the same load as team trainer.

At the 2022 World Championships Dressage, the Danish team won a historic gold medal and double individual silver. Two of the team riders (Dufour, Bachmann) are students of Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and the individual medals were won by Dufour, a long-time student of Nathalie. Fellow team members Carina Cassoe Kruth trains with Andreas Helgstrand and Nanna Skodborg Merrald with Michael Sogaard.

Contract Renewed

The DRF posted on 3 October that, "at an evaluation meeting in September, the parties (DRF and Wittig) reached an agreement that the good and fruitful collaboration will continue up to and including 2024."

Wittig at the 2022 CDI Aachen Dressage Days in Hagen

The federation further stated: "It is both Team Denmark's and the Danish Riding Association's clear assessment that Wolfram Wittig will contribute positively and constructively for Danish elite dressage resource maintaining momentum and continued development towards the Olympics in Paris."

"We are convinced that Wolfram Wittig, with his calm and competent approach, will be a super strong advisor and sparring partner for the riders and their personal trainers in the years to come," said Morten Schram Rodtwitt, the director of the DRF, which is led by president Ulf Helgstrand.

Training Camp

Last weekend the Danish A and B-squad listed riders met in Vilhelmsborg for a training camp. The Danish "team trainers" for ponies and youth - Lisbet Seierskilde and Dennis Fisker - as well as Team Denmark consultant Hanne Pedersen, nutritionist Pernille Björklund, and sport psychologist Anders Flemming Bendixen were also present.

The last training camp of the year will be held at Slangerupgaard on 1 - 2 December 2022.