3rd December 1979 – 12th November 2023
Known for his deployment of the infamous “Belgian Barracuda” at any given opportunity, Bjorn Warin embodied the very essence of what it means to be a student rider. Infused with enthusiasm and exuberance, he epitomised AIEC spirit and the AIEC motto One World, One Sport, Many Friends.
Bjorn joined the Belgian Student Riders in 1999, and was a member of their national Board from then until 2005, spending much of his time as the Belgian Chef d’Equipe. His participation in Student Riding Nations Cups brought him across the world to countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA throughout his lengthy student riding career. He organised countless numbers of Belgian SRNCs, including a Belgian CHIU, as well as the 2002 World University Equestrian Championships in Oud-Heverlee.
Filled with an unbridled passion, his love for life and love itself left a lasting impression on all those who knew him. In the words of Bessie Anderson Stanley, he “lived well, laughed often, and loved much.” It’s hard to articulate the adoration and appreciation we all felt for him. So many magnificent memories from our many adventures together, and an even greater number only for the ear of a student rider!
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as this sad time. Those interested in sending condolences to his family can do so privately here. Rest in peace our dear friend; gone but never forgotten.