RENOWNED international dressage coach Johann Hinnemann wished his successor well in his former role, generously pledging ongoing support for Irish dressage riders now and into the future.

Commenting on the ending of his contract by Horse Sport Ireland with ‘immediate effect’, Johann Hinnemann told The Irish Field: “Finance was the only issue. The talks were going on for a long time. Horse Sport Ireland have big, big financial problems so I can understand it. Right now, in that situation, this is the best solution.

“On the other hand, I’m not finishing my connection to Ireland and Irish riders. I have been working with Anna (Merveldt) and Judy (Reynolds) for a long time and that continues.

“I have worked with Anne Marie (Dunphy) quite a lot and I always wanted Anne Marie participating in my teaching and clinics. We talk the same language and she knows my way of training and we have the same idea and this is good.

“The Irish riders are all in a good situation – Abigail (Lyle), Anna, Judy – we are consistent. Judy has a horse of mine and we continue the same thing, nothing changes,” said Hinnemann who is currently teaching in California before shortly returning to Europe.

In recent years, there has been a huge interest in dressage across riders of all levels nationwide, something Hinnemann takes delight in.

“Irish dressage riders have improved a lot in recent years and there is big interest in it. The number of Irish riders riding at Grand Prix level now has improved drastically in Ireland. You have a good few riders coming up and the interest in the sport has really come on a lot.

“The riders have learned that they have to do it themselves. As a high performance director, you can help some people but you cannot help educate and train a whole country. They have to go out and do it themselves. That’s what I was trying to teach them. The only way to do it is to come over to shows, go out and ride, go out and do it.

“My help and input will not finish. I will continue to go to Ireland, I will have clinics in Ireland, and work with Irish riders when they come over to Europe. It will continue. I’m on the end of a phone for Anne Marie or anyone who asks,” concluded Johann Hinnemann.