Jazmin Yom Tov Expands Toolbox with New Coach Benjamin Werndl

Dressage

Hungary

Hungarian professional dressage rider Jazmin Yom Tov has struck a cooperation with Benjamin Werndl as her trainer to guide and enrich her riding in the future.

The 23-year old Yom Tov only recently celebrated her fourth, consecutive Hungarian Grand Prix Champion's title. Since 2021 she has been undefeated in the senior division, capturing three titles on Hexagon's Grandville (by Louisville x Rubiquil) and her first senior title on For Joy (by Feedback x Donnerbube II).

A highly driven rider, Yom Tov has been setting unprecedented records for dressage sport in Hungary. As a youth rider she rode at no less than eighth European Youth Riders Championships of which five were at Under 25 level.

Finding Her Way

Her formative years Jazmin spent training with Sjef Janssen in The Netherlands while she was based at her father Arie's Dutch stable Sport Pro Horses in Uden.

In 2023 she felt Olympic fever and began campaigning at senior level more intensely with Grandville and Konfucius (by Charmeur x Flemmingh). She parted ways with coach Janssen and briefly worked with Rieky Young. Then she decided to return home to Hungary and ride independently at her own Stable Unikornis in Pilisjaszfalu (HUN) for a period of time to find her own way.

After Hungary lost its Olympic team spot to Poland at the Group C qualifier last June, Jazmin went back to the drawing board to regroup and strategize for the future. She had a light bulb moment

Looking for Examples

Jazmin has been drawing inspiration from the stellar career and way of riding of double Olympic champiopn Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her brother Benjamin, a German 2022 WEG team rider.

2024 Hungarian Grand Prix Champion with Foy Joy

In the early summer Yom Tov approached the Werndls and discussed whether they would be interesting in working with her. The answer was yes.

"We started working together in June," Yom Tov told Eurodressage. As I am busy in the stable in Hungary with training and riding other horses too, I am going there once a month for what the plan is. I will stay 4 to 5 days and take 3 horses for intensive, monthly training sessions."

New Tools in the Box

The Werndls are a U-turn to the previous training she got in The Netherlands.

"I am well aware that it is a different way of training, but that is exactly what I wanted," she explained. "I feel that I’m still young enough to learn all different ways of riding to know how to approach all horses, to improve my “toolbox”, and get a way all my horses will not only like but love working in."

Jazmin savours her time in Aubenhausen and finds it inspirational.

"I love being there, it’s like a mini holiday for me," she said. "The team is so so super nice and of course the whole Werndl family was very welcoming and kind. I can spend more quality time with my babies, take them out more cuddle more that I sometimes miss from my busy days but are so important for me."

A Positive Change

Jazmin with student Ildiko Fonyodi on her former horse Bojengel
at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris

At the end of August, Jazmin showed the first steps of progress at the Hungarian Nationals. She won her fourth senior title and confirmed her progress also at small tour level aboard Kaboom (by Johnson x OO Seven) with whom she became reserve small tour champion.

"I already feel improvement," said Jazmin. "What I also find super important is that I feel I have a very good connection with Benjamin.. He likes my horses and sees big potential in them. He sees the bright future for them that I’m dreaming of, so I’m positive it will be a great long time partnership.

She concluded, "I’m already appreciating so incredibly much, really I can’t say enough how grateful I am of the opportunity the Werndl family, their team and my family gave me."