Swiss Youth Team Captain Heidi Bemelmans and Swiss Federation Part Ways

Dressage

Switzerland

Heidi Bemelmans has been asked to step aside from her long-time role as Swiss youth team trainer. The Swiss Equestrian Federation expressed an interest in finding a new coach and "with heavy heart" Bemelmans decided to comply.

Heidi (72) has served the Swiss equestrian Federation for almost 17 years.

Heidi Bemelmans (née Hermann), once married to Belgian-German trainer Jan Bemelmans, hence the last name -- competed from the 1970s till 2000 up to Grand Prix level. Her key horses were Elysee (by Emir x Abhang II), Don Bijou (by ?), Robin Fly (Renaldo x Sinus xx), Mister Metaxa (by Matterhorn x Senior), Fabriano (by Foxtrott x Parenzo xx), and Vito (by Vers I). Her last recorded show was in 2000 at small tour level with Antaris D (by Acapulco x Lindberg).

She began working for the Swiss FN in 2009 as pony team trainer and later assumed the role as team captain and then as youth team captain. Her duties briefly included the management of the Under 25 team until senior Grand Prix team trainer Oliver Oelrich took over that division.

"The greatest success during Heidi Bemelmans' tenure was undoubtedly winning the gold medal with the team in the Children's category at the European Championships in Vidauban in 2015," the Swiss federation stated. "During her time as head of youth teams, she achieved several impressive fourth-place finishes at European Championships with various teams."

Swiss team trainers Bemelmans and Oelrich in 2021

The federation further praised her efforts and commitment, citing her help with "scouting for talents at regional shows, helping with PiPa or organizing transports, Heidi Bemelmans always put her heart and soul into her job," yet decided on a new trainer.

In her time Heidi brought renowned German dressage personalities such as Isabell Werth, Katrina Wüst, Helen Langehanenberg, Henning Lehrmann, Jonny Hilberath and many more to Switzerland for training seminars.

"After 17 years of service the abruptness and the style of this termination left my confidants and myself feel alienated," Bemelmans told Eurodressage.