Gerrit-Jan Swinkels, president of Indoor Brabant, Dies

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Gerrit-Jan Swinkels, president of Indoor Brabant, died suddenly at the age of 67. He is pictured here with his horse Tennessee W, ridden by Dutch athlete Henk van de Pol. ©( Jacob Melissen)
Gerrit-Jan Swinkels, president of Indoor Brabant, died suddenly at the age of 67. He is pictured here with his horse Tennessee W, ridden by Dutch athlete Henk van de Pol. ©( Jacob Melissen)

May 26, 2015

Gerrit-Jan Swinkels, president of Indoor Brabant in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, died suddenly Monday at the age of 67 while riding on the Belgian coast.

A passionate horseman, racing driver and diplomat, Gerrit-Jan Swinkels was highly respected as a visionary and renowned for his ability to bring athletes, officials, sponsors and the media together to promote equestrian sport.

He became president of Indoor Brabant in 2002 and planned to hand over to his successor in 2017 during the event’s 50th anniversary.

Indoor Brabant has staged indoor dressage, jumping and driving World Cup series. The first of nine dressage Finals was held in 1986, with the first jumping Final in 1994.