Memorial Service for Jonny Hilberath Held in Warendorf

Dressage

Germany

-- FN press release

A memorial service in memory of dressage rider and national team trainer Jonny Hilberath was held on 24 March 2025 in the show jumping hall of the German Equestrian Olympic Committee (DOKR). Around 300 friends, riders, fellow trainers, and companions from all over Germany gathered to remember Jonny.

DOKR Managing Director Dr. Dennis Peiler began by reflecting on Hilberath's life, who transformed himself from "a boy in rubber boots" to an internationally renowned and popular dressage rider and trainer. Peiler painted a picture of a man who loved horses and lived for them, pursuing his passion with endless diligence and great dedication, yet always remaining down-to-earth and humble, and despite all his great successes, avoided the spotlight.

Jonny Hilberath participated in five Olympic Games as a coach, the last four of which were in function of the DOKR. First as co-coach to German team trainer Holger Schmezer, who died in 2012 and whose role he briefly took over in London, then again as co-coach to the current national team trainer Monica Theodorescu. In her speech, she described Jonny as someone who was "called" to train horses and riders and who helped anyone who wanted help to improve. She also recalled the shows they attended together. She particularly emphasized their "common wavelength" and great mutual trust. "He was a wonderful person," she said.

Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who, together with her brother, benefit from Hilberath's expertise for 14 years, also has fond memories of him. She thought about what the trainer would have wanted to pass on to the mourners – not just for riding, but also for life. She named three points: "True control comes from letting go," "strengthening strengths" – that is, accepting what is there and not focusing on what is missing, and "friendship." "If he was friends with someone, it was genuine, and not because, as an Olympic champion, you were perhaps the center of attention. On the contrary, he was always there when things weren't going so well," she said.

The final speech was delivered by team veterinarian Dr. Marc Koene who, as a close friend, conveyed the thanks of his partner Annika to everyone. She expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of sympathy and the touching letters she had received upon his death. "To me, Jonny was a true friend; we always had a lot of fun. Jonny was also always very curious about the medical background and the mechanics of movement," said Koene, thus once again highlighting Hilberath's all-encompassing interest in horses, which shaped his life.

The memorial service was accompanied by pieces by jazz and soul musicians Gregory Porter and Nora Jones. To the final sounds, everyone rose from their seats in honour of Hilberath before saying a final farewell at his picture, where several wreaths were placed.