Chris has proven his skill and talent for the job as national coach for the German eventing team alongside Hans Melzer, most recently overseeing the nation’s team silver and individual gold at the Rio Olympics. He was also behind Germany’s team and individual Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2008, plus other notable successes at various World and European championships, having first taken up his post in 2001.
British-born Bartle is understood to be one of several candidates applying for the position, with interviews due to take place in October.
Chris helps Michael Jung warm up at Badminton this spring
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A statement by DrDennis Peiler of the DOKR (the German equestrian federation) says: “We are very surprised and sad about the decision of Chris Bartle.
“We were hoping Chris Bartle and Hans Melzer would continue until the Tokyo Games in 2020 as trainers.But we respect his decision.Soon we will sit together and reflect on alternatives for the future.”
Chris told St Georg: “That was a very difficult decision for me. I feel a tremendous bond with the team, the riders, the support team in Warendorf and especially with Hans Melzer, with whom I worked for 16 years successfully.
“I would like to apply for this interesting and challenging role that might keep me closer to my home for the next four years and is also in the interest of my family.”
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Hans Melzer and Chris Bartle (right)
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
In addition to his German team training role, Chris runs a highly successful training hub in Britain, the Yorkshire Riding Centre, with his sister Jane Bartle-Wilson. From here he assists top horses and riders from around the world.
The 64-year-old has previously coached the British eventing team as dressage trainer for both the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics.
Chris has also enjoyed great success riding on British teams. He was sixth at the Los Angeles Olympics as a member of the British dressage team and was fourth at the 1985 European dressage championships. He also won Badminton on Word Perfect in 1998, was placed at Burghley on more than one occasion, won team gold at the 1997 European eventing championships and was reserve for the 2000 Olympics.
This is the first time the position with the British Equestrian Federation has become available since Yogi Breisner took up the role in 1999. Neither the British Equestrian Federation nor Chris were available to comment on the news when contacted by Horse & Hound.
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
