Jacques van Daele, a 4* dressage judge and international Technical Delegate at major dressage competitions and championships, has been named "Sport Personality of 2022" by Horse Sport Flanders, the Flemish equestrian federation.
Van Daele was decorated with this title at the 2022 CDI-W Mechelen. He was honoured for his role as a national and international dressage judge. He has judged in Mechelen for more than 15 years.
Van Daele began his equestrian career training horses for the Belgian national mounted police. He first began as a judge in the 1980s, then became a Grand Prix judge and then moved up to FEI level, first 3* and now 4*.
"Jacques has tirelessly committed himself to dressage sport in the last few years. He was member of the Flemish and Belgian Dressage Committee and functioned as chair for four years," Horse Sport Flanders (Paardensport Vlaanderen) wrote. "In the FEI he assists in the training of stewards at dressage shows and has been named Steward General for Belgium. He promoted as steward to the high level and is FEI course director for the education and training of numerous stewards world wide."
Van Daele officiated at five Olympics. In his role as judge, steward and course director, Jacques wears many hats and has a very busy agenda. Nonetheless he continues to officiate at national and regional level in Belgium.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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