Olympic Medalist Teeuwissen (53) Suddenly Passes Away
Dutch dressage rider Arjen Teeuwissen has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 53, as reported by the equestrian sports association KNHS. Teeuwissen, who once won an Olympic silver medal, was among the top dressage riders in the Netherlands around the turn of the century, with his horse Goliath and Anky van Grunsven as his trainer.
In 1999, he became the Dutch champion at a special location for him, Landgoed Brakkesteyn in Nijmegen, near his hometown of Molenhoek. Teeuwissen reflected on this achievement as particularly meaningful during an interview at the CHIO Rotterdam equestrian event two years ago.
He also secured an individual bronze medal at the European Championships that year. The following year, he won a silver medal with the Dutch dressage team at the Olympic Games in Sydney. In 2001, he once again stood on the podium at the European Championships, this time with a silver medal.
Having lived in Belgium since 1998, Teeuwissen fondly recalled his time at the Sydney Olympics. He emphasized the unique experience of being away from home for seven weeks with just one horse, surrounded by fellow dressage riders from around the world sharing the same living quarters.
With over thirty years of owning his own horse stable, Teeuwissen had gradually been stepping back from the equestrian world in recent years. Alongside his husband, whom he described as a “hospitality man, even a two-star chef,” he ventured into the restaurant industry.
Reflecting on his future in 2022 at the CHIO event, Teeuwissen remarked, “Never say never, but I don’t think you’ll see me back in the arena. I was, of course, spoiled and have not had horses of the same caliber as Goliath.”
The equestrian community mourns the loss of Arjen Teeuwissen, a talented and respected figure in the sport. His legacy as an Olympic medalist and accomplished dressage rider will be remembered by many.