Ernst Bachinger Passed Away

Dressage

Austria

Austrian Riding Master Bachinger has passed away after a long period of illness on 18 June 2026, two days after his 84th birthday.

Spanish Riding School

In 1959, he began his riding career as a student at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, stepping into the shoes of his father who was also an SRS member. completed his training to become a riding instructor. In 1978, he left the Spanish Riding School to establish himself independently as a trainer.

After a period of independence he returned to the Spanish Riding School in 2006 as head of the riding arena, acting as a link between the riding staff and the management. He was responsible for preserving tradition and ensuring the quality of training for both horses and riders. He retired from this position in 2012, when he turned 70.

Rider

In 1979 he purchased a riding facility in Kreutal and in 1982 he completed his training as a state-certified riding instructor, and from 1994 onwards he was entitled to use the title of Riding Master.

In 1987 Bachinger connected with his career making competition horse, the Swedish warmblood Honeymoon . They became multiple Austrian Dressage Champions. They also regularly won the Vienna Dressage Derby. Ernst rode the horse in a pas-de-deux with his ex-wife Eva in Rococo-costumes to Vivaldi's Four Seasons music at the Vianne Fest der Pferde.

Other horses he competed were, for instance, Bugsy Siegel and Piero de fou

Trainer and Judge

Bachinger was not only one of the most renowned trainers in Austria, counting the late Stephen Clarke and Kay Meredith amongst his many students, as well as British royalty such as Princess Anne and Mark Philips. He coached the British eventing team in the 1970s as well as the dressage team at the 1978 World Championships.

He was also an international dressage judge, just like Eva-Maria (who became an 5* judge in 2013).

He was dressage representative for the lower Austrian regional equestrian federation from 1992 to 2008 and the national representative for judge from 1999 to 2016.

"He played a decisive role in shaping the sport of dressage over decades, and his extensive knowledge and expertise will be sorely missed in equestrian sport," NOEPS stated.

Accolades

On 11 March 2013, he was awarded the “Silver Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria” by Federal Minister DI Nikolaus Berlakovich in recognition of his services to the Spanish Riding School.

Bachinger (center) at the 2011 London Olympia Horse Show

Bachinger was also the recipient of the Golden Medal of Honour for Services to the Province of Lower Austria, the Golden Badge of Honour of the OEPS, the Golden Equestrian Badge and the Golden Medal of Honour of the NOEPS.

Several years ago Ernst was a in car accident which affected his deteriorating health. He was last married to Ulrike Bachinger, who briefly invested in Charlotte Dujardin's Alive and Kicking. He leaves behind son Christian, who rides at the Spanish Riding School.

The Spanish Riding School posted, "for decades, he shaped the tradition of the High School of Classical Dressage with exceptional skill, discipline, and unwavering passion. As Head of the Riding School, a teacher, mentor, and role model, he was especially devoted to the education of young riders, sharing his knowledge and experience with patience, generosity, and dedication. His tireless commitment to the Lipizzans and to all those privileged to work with them will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on in our School, in our horses, and in the many riders whose paths he helped shape.'