After 19 years on the job German Rudolf Zeilinger has given his resignation as Danish team trainer to the Danish Equestrian Federation. Zeilinger will stay on in 2017 until a new coach has been found with the Danish Nationals in June 2017 as deadline.
"I have had 19 fantastic years as national coach of Denmark, and I am extremely happy to have been part of the development of Danish dressage. It has been an exemplary collaboration with the federation and the coaching staff, which has resulted in good performance and a great development in Danish dressage. But here at the entrance to a new four-year period up to the Olympics in Tokyo, I find that the time is right for a new coach to take over and continue the development of Danish dressage sport," said Rudolf, who sold his own dressage stable in Emsdetten, Germany, to Korean Ha Kyung Song in the winter of 2016.
The Danish federation has agreed with Rudolf that he will remain responsible for the training of the Grand Prix riders until a new coach is found.
"We expect that this is in place at the latest by the Danish Championships in June 2017. At this event we will also get the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to Rudolf," said the Danish FN press officer.
Jens-Erik Majlund, the General Secretary of the Danish Equestrian Federation, and elite manager Kimi Nielsen have appreciated the cooperation with Zeilinger. They stated:
“During 19 years as National Coach for our Dressage team, Rudolf Zeilinger has lifted Danish Dressage to be among the strongest dressage nations in the world. We have been extremely happy with the cooperation during all these years. From having just a handful of international Grand Prix riders back in 1997 when Rudolf started, we now have a very big group of riders competing at CDI shows all over the world. At almost every important CDI show in Europe, you will find Danish riders, not just competing but very often among the best-placed riders. During these years, Rudolf has done a fantastic job at clinics, shows and championships, our riders and trainers have developed and a lot of them have grown to be among the very best in the world."
Rudolf's career highlights as a team trainer include Andreas Helgstrand's silver and bronze medals on Blue Hors Matine at 2006 World Equestrian Games, team bronze medals at the 1999 and 2001 European Championships and team bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games.
"To find a new National Coach to replace Rudolf requires time and a thorough process and carefulness. Therefore we are very pleased that Rudolf has agreed to continue with the training and support until we have found the right replacement who can lead us to Tokyo in 2020 and beyond," Majlund added.
Photos © Astrid Appels
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