International Jumping rider Jean-Claude Van Geenberghe (BEL / UKR), 46, passed away on Saturday 9 May while competing at an event in the Ukraine, where he had recently taken up residency.
Jean-Claude Van Geenberghe was widely known and respected on the international Jumping circuit, competing at the highest level.
His exceptional riding skills were first noted by his father Jacques, who not only provided him with suitable horses but, equally recognized the importance in investing in proper training by seeking the assistance of George Morris (USA), Henk Nooren (NED) and Gijs Van Heteren.
Jean Claude won the Belgian national championship three times. He was twice the winner – in 1987 and 1995 – of the Aachen (GER) Grand Prix, one of the world’s most prestigious competitions. He participated twice in the Olympic Games. He represented Belgium at the 1988 Games in Seoul, placing 16th individually. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong he competed for the Ukraine and placed 10th individually.
In addition to his competition career, Jean-Claude Van Geenberghe was involved in the development of the “Zilveren Spoor”, the equestrian centre built by his father in Moorsele (BEL), making it one of the best riding facilities in Europe at which several international events are hosted yearly. The FEI European Jumping Championship for Children and the FEI European Pony Championships are scheduled to be held in Moorsele this summer.
Says FEI Director of Jumping John Roche, “Jean-Claude’s untimely death comes as a tremendous shock to all of us and creates a huge void in the equestrian world. He was a great horsemen whose involvement, passion and dedication to the sport will be greatly missed. We all admired his talent and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
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