[2] In December 2015 he had an epileptic attack due to a brain tumor.
[3] He had quit his job as national coach and was not able to go to the 2016 Summer Olympics.
For all of his work Ernes was honoured with the gouden speld (golden pin) by the Dutch National Equestrian Federation (KNHS) on 31 October 2016.
[2] The team that won the gold medal at the 2015 European Championships, Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud, Diederik van Silfhout and Patrick van der Meer carried his coffin during his funeral on 5 November 2016.
[5] Ernes lived in Schimmert, was married and had a daughter in 1988 called Maud.