Few names in the world of dressage carry as much quiet respect as Jonny Hilberath. Known for his calm presence, technical mastery, and deeply thoughtful approach to horses, Hilberath became one of the pillars of modern dressage. From his early days as a humble farm boy in Germany to becoming a respected international coach, his life was a blend of passion, patience, and purpose. Let’s walk through the remarkable journey of this man who helped shape the soul of equestrian sport.
Early Life From the Fields to the Arena
Jonny Hilberath was born on June 26, 1955, in Kellinghusen, a small rural town in northern Germany. Growing up on a farm, he developed an early love for animals and the land. Like many rural children of his time, he learned discipline and responsibility early on tending to animals, helping with daily chores, and respecting nature’s rhythm. Those values later became the foundation of his philosophy as a horseman.
In his youth, Jonny explored all forms of equestrian sport not just dressage, but also show jumping and eventing. That diverse background gave him a well-rounded understanding of the horse’s mind and body. But it was in dressage the art of communication and harmony between horse and rider that he found his true passion.
His turning point came when he met Rosemarie Springer, a respected dressage rider and trainer. Jonny Hilberath Under her guidance, Jonny completed his Bereiter apprenticeship, an elite certification that marks a professional German rider and trainer. Working alongside legendary horsemen such as Herbert Rehbein, Hilberath refined his craft and began shaping the gentle yet precise style that would define his entire career.
Riding Career A Quiet Force in the Arena
Jonny Hilberath professional journey began with horse dealer Detlef Saul in Bremerhaven. There, he gained valuable experience handling all kinds of horses from young prospects to trained competitors. His calm nature and clear communication quickly made him a respected rider on the German circuit.
In 1992, Jonny Hilberath achieved a major breakthrough when he won the German Professional Dressage Riders’ Championship aboard his Russian-bred mare Delicatesse. The victory marked him as one of Germany’s rising stars in dressage. Over the years, he competed successfully with several horses, including Elegance, Widuri, Rosa Rot, Edelmann, Antares, and Don Diadora.
Among his many partnerships, one stood out his bond with the Hanoverian stallion Fariano. Initially purchased as a potential jumper, Fariano revealed an extraordinary aptitude for dressage. Under Jonny’s patient guidance, the horse matured into a Grand Prix competitor. Together, they represented the perfect example of his philosophy training through trust, not force. Their crowning achievement came in 2007, when they earned the bronze medal at the German Dressage Championships in Gera.
Jonny’s final international performances came in the late 2000s, most notably with the horse Amusant, owned by Antja Kreuzkamp. His last CDI competition took place in Verden (2010), though he continued riding nationally for several more years. Even after stepping back from competing, his heart remained in the saddle as a teacher, mentor, and lifelong student of the horse.
The Trainer and Coach Building Champions, Not Just Riders
If Jonny Hilberath’s career as a rider was impressive, his legacy as a trainer was even more extraordinary. In 1995, he and his then-wife Annika Hilberath founded a training center in Elmlohe, later moving it to Scheeßel-Abbendorf. There, riders from around the world came to learn the fine art of dressage.
His reputation for clarity, calmness, and fairness attracted international students. Mexican rider Bernadette Pujals, under Hilberath’s coaching, rose to world-class level with her horse Vincent, placing 10th at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. He also trained Natalie Hobday from South Africa, Yuko Kitai from Japan, and Hayley Beresford from Australia — all of whom represented their countries on the Olympic stage.
But Hilberath’s greatest influence came at home, with Team Germany. He began as an assistant to the national coach Holger Schmezer, helping refine the German team’s preparation for major championships. When Schmezer tragically passed away in 2011, Hilberath stepped up as interim national coach, leading Germany to a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
After the Games, he continued as co-national coach alongside Monica Theodorescu. Together, they built one of the most dominant dressage programs in history. Under their joint leadership, Germany earned more than 40 championship medals at European, World, and Olympic levels. Riders such as Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Kristina Bröring-Sprehe, and Benjamin Werndl often credited Jonny Hilberath calm wisdom and sharp eye for detail as key to their success.
His Training Philosophy Calm, Clear, and Compassionate
Jonny Hilberath’s philosophy toward training was simple yet profound: dressage should make the horse better, not break its spirit. He believed that true horsemanship was not about dominance, but about communication and empathy.
One of his most quoted lines was:
I have learned to find peace within myself on the horses; I don’t let emotions guide me in the saddle I try to think, analyze, and understand.”
This mindset shaped his entire teaching approach. He encouraged riders to listen to their horses to notice the smallest reactions and adjust accordingly. Every horse, he often said, had a different personality, and the trainer’s job was to adapt, not to impose.
Hilberath’s lessons were rarely loud or dramatic. Jonny Hilberath He preferred soft-spoken corrections and thoughtful explanations. Instead of giving riders a list of commands, he would ask questions: What did you feel? Why did that happen? His goal was to make riders think independently, to truly understand what harmony felt like.
He also believed in discipline and consistency. Daily work, done correctly and patiently, mattered more than chasing quick results. His training emphasized balance, rhythm, and trust the invisible threads that connect horse and rider into one moving piece of art.
That gentle, cerebral approach earned him admiration across the world. Jonny Hilberath Whether coaching Olympic champions or beginners, Hilberath treated every rider and horse with the same respect. To him, greatness started with humility.
A Lasting Legacy The Spirit of a True Horseman
Jonny Hilberath passed away on March 5, 2025, after a short battle with leukemia. His death, at 69, came as a heartbreaking surprise to the global dressage community. Tributes poured in from every corner of the world from the German Equestrian Federation to international riders he had once mentored.
His longtime colleague Monica Theodorescu said, “I’m not only losing a great colleague, but also a good friend. We shared the same philosophy about riding and training — that always connected us.” Those who knew him personally often described him as gentle, witty, and deeply principled the kind of man who led not through ego, but through example.
Dennis Peiler, Sporting Director of the German Federation, summed it up beautifully: “Jonny Hilberath was a trainer and instructor with all his heart. His death leaves a void that cannot be filled easily.”
Yet even though he is gone, his presence remains alive in every arena where a rider takes the time to listen to their horse. His methods continue to inspire coaches worldwide, and his students many now trainers themselves carry his philosophy into the next generation of dressage.
Jonny Hilberath’s legacy isn’t just written in medals or titles. It’s written in the attitude of respect, calmness, and understanding that defines great riding. He reminded the world that dressage is not about control, but about connection; not about perfection, but about partnership.
Conclusion More Than a Trainer, a Timeless Teacher
Jonny Hilberath’s story is that of a man who lived and breathed horses not for fame or fortune, but for the love of the craft. From his modest beginnings to the highest levels of the sport, he stayed true to his core belief: that harmony between horse and rider is built on patience, respect, and kindness.
He showed that the best trainers don’t just build champions they build character. And that’s what made Jonny Hilberath so special.
Today, as riders continue to quote his words and apply his teachings, his spirit quietly rides on in every collected trot, every patient half-halt, and every moment of genuine understanding between horse and human.
