German Equestrian Federation Renews Contracts with German Team Trainers until LA Olympics, Heinze Out

Dressage

Germany

The German equestrian federation has renewed its contracts with four German dressage team trainers until the 2028 L.A. Olympics.

Sebastian Heinze will not stay on as German Under 25 Team trainer.

Four Stay On

The German NF has announced that Monica Theodorescu will stay on as its German senior dressage team trainer. She will continue to be assisted by Jonny Hilberath as co-trainer.

"I am motivated by our top horses and top riders, and I would like to form a team out of them again to build on our great successes, first at the World Championships in Aachen and then at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles," said Monica Theodorescu.

For the youth divisions Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen will continue to be responsible for this junior and young riders, while Caroline Roost captains the ponies and children.

Heinze Out

The contract of Sebastian Heinze as German Under 25 team trainer has not been renewed. Meyer zu Strohen will add the U25 to his package.

Heinze coaching a student at the 2024 European
Junior Riders Championships in Opglabbeek

The German NF cited "personal reasons for Heinze's departure from his post.

"Seb Heinze looked after the U25 area for eight years and did a great job (...)," said DOKR Managing Director Dr. Dennis Peiler. "We would have liked to have had him stay on our team. But we also understand that he wants to reposition himself professionally."

Heinze, who collected 29 medals in his eight years on post, came under fire when Semmieke Rothenberger was not selected on the German team for the 2024 European Under 25 Championships after winning all three rounds of the German Under 25 Championships. This non-selection caused quite some commotion within the U25 community and German NF.

Eurodressage inquired with Heinze about his decision, who explained that "I give up the job as U 25 national coach cause of time managing reasons."