Jacques van Daele Passed Away

Dressage

Belgium

Jacque van Daele, a Belgian 4* dressage judge and FEI Technical Delegate, has passed away on 3 July 2026. He was 72 years old.

Van Daele studied forensic science and began his professional and equestrian career training horses for the Belgian national mounted police.

He first began as a judge in Belgium in the 1980s. He worked his way up the levels to FEI 4* level but never reached the highly coveted 5* status. Instead Van Daele migrated more into the role of FEI Steward, Technical delegate and FEI course director, while he continued judging nationally and internationally. He was the chief steward at the CDIO Aachen.

He officiated in the ground jury of international competitions across the world, including the 2017 US Dressage Championships, as well as at CDI's in Wellington, Rotterdam, Mechelen, Nizhny Novgorod, Brisbane, 's Hertogenbosch, and many more. He last worked as a judge in 2025.

Van Daele officiated at six Olympic Games and numerous World and European Championships as well as World Young Horse Championships and World Cup Finals. He served on the Flemish and Belgian dressage committee and chaired the Belgian dressage committee for four years. He was the "General Steward" for the Belgian Equestrian Federation.

Known as a willful and strict man, he was appreciated for his professionalism and knowledge of the FEI rules. In 2022 he was named "Sport Personality of the Year" by Horse Sport Flanders (VLP)

Van Daele was diagnosed with cancer and relied heavily on the help and comfort of two close friends, fellow technical delegate Didier Deschauwer and Belgian youth chef d'equipe Alain Rauw, while battling the disease.

Jacques lost his fight on 3 July 2026. He leaves behind a sister.

Photos © Astrid Appels

Van Daele at the 2010 Global Dressage Forum

Jacques van Daele and Jennie Loriston-Clarke at the 2006 CDI Devon :: Photo © Mary Phelps

Belgian I-judge Jacques van Daele cracks up laughing at the 2012 CDIO Rotterdam

Belgian judge Jacques van Daele at the 2017 CDI Roosendaal

Belgian judge and TD Jacques van Daele with Fontainebleau dressage manager Didier Ferrer at the 2018 European Junior Riders Championships

The bit check steward with head steward and FEI technical Delegate Jacques van Daele. All riders, trainers and stewards sat together on Tuesday in a closed meeting (no press invited) to discuss the stewarding in Aachen this year.