FEI course designer dies at Spanish show

An FEI course designer has died suddenly of a heart attack while working at a major showjumping event in Spain.

‘Beloved friend’

Andreas Hollmann collapsed on Tuesday 27 January at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) at Oliva in Valencia.

Teresa Fontan, director of promotions at MET, said it was “very sad news”.

“We lost our beloved friend and MET member Andreas Hollmann for a heart attack,” she said. “We will miss you Andreas.”

Prestigious events

The 53-year-old was an FEI Level 3 course designer who learnt his trade with Frank Rothenberger, generally considered to be the best designer in the world.

During their 15 years working together they built courses at a number of prestigious events, including the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the FEI European Jumping championships 2013 in Herning.

Andreas had been appointed as course designer for the CSIO 5* in Poland this June, which is part of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 2.

He also organised a number of national shows in Germany with his sister Gaby, and was to work at the German National Championships in Warendorf for the first time this year.

Capable course designer

Prior to his career as a course-designer Andreas competed successfully up to 1.40m nationalclasses in Germany and trained to become a professional instructor.

He had to retire from riding due to back problems, which is when he took up his new career, building courses.

“Andreas Hollmann was a really wonderful person”, FEI jumping director John Roche said. “He was a very familiar presence on the international circuit and was an extremely capable course designer. He always had a big smile on his face, and will be greatly missed by everybody who knew him.”

A minute’s silence was held in memory of Andreas at the MET.

Andreas Hollman, 1961-2015