Argentinian international dressage judge Janine Rohr-Cicurel has passed away in the early morning of 10 August 2024. She was 77 years old.
Born in Cairo in 1947, Janine Cicurel grew up in Egypt alongside her brother Ronald, a well known mathematician and neurobiologist. The family was expelled from Egypt in 1957 by the Nasser regime and moved to to Lausanne, Switzerland, where Janine studied and rode under Henri Chammartin.
Forty-five years ago she emigrated to Argentina for work reasons with her then-husband. She took on the Argentinian nationality upon arrival and lived in Buenos Aires.
Her initial passion was for eventing, which provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the sport. She competed for Argentina in the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana. She bred and trained three beloved horses - Bergerac, Mesnil le Roy and Dante - from young horse to Grand Prix level.
She became an FEI 4* dressage judge and 3* eventing judge and steward in 2009.
She officiated at numerous CCI's, CDI's, and FEI World Dressage Challenges. She was a member of the ground jury at the North American Young Riders Championships, and the 2010 and 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games. In the early 2010s and being fluent in French she judged at many French CDI's including Vidauban, Biarritz, Compiegne, Vierzon, Saumur, Pompadour, Crozet, and also in Switzerland (Prangins). She also officiated at the CDI Sydney in Australia.
She retired from dressage judging in 2019, but continued to judge nationally in eventing.
Janine acted as a consistent driving force for dressage in Argentina and trained many riders and horses as well as educated judges. She established the first school for coaches in the three equestrian disciplines. She was passionate about horses and dogs, always prioritizing the welfare of the equines. She kept her horses at her place, where they are buried.
"She leaves a significant legacy characterized by her educational work, dedication to animals, and achievements as both a competitor and mentor, judge and trainer," said Mexican dressage judge and FEI Dressage Committee chair Maribel Alonso.
Janine lost her only son three years ago and is survived by her three grandchildren.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Judges' Panels for 2010 Dressage Championships Selected
Scores: 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games