Welcome - great to have you here!

I'm happy you found your way to my website. My name is Maarten van Stek and with great pleasure and dedication I give dressage instruction at every level - from novice riders to riders at Grand Prix level. My core values are trust, respect and loyalty; both to riders and horses.

My roots are in classical dressage, and I attended the instructor education in Deurne and I obtained my H4 licence All-round Orun instructor. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn from inspiring trainers such as Douwe Rinkes, Inge Schram, Alex van Silfhout, Atjan Hop and Dominique Filion.

I have trained several horses to the highest level; William is perhaps the best known. In addition, I have over 20 students to the Small Tour supervised and 5 to the Grand Prix. I was also proudly head coach of the MacRider Cup.

What sets me apart?
I ride without my left arm. What sounds like a limitation to many has actually become a strength for me. It challenges me to always stay focused on clear communication with the horse - not with force, but with feeling and cooperation. This way of thinking has led to my own practical style of teaching, in which I make difficult things simple and translate theory into doing.

My classes are:

  • Accessible for all levels
  • Focused on clear communication between rider and horse
  • Practical, honest and with an eye for detail
  • Always tailored to you and your horse
  • I travel all over the country
  • Also for jumping and eventing combinations

Besides teaching, I have other passions: gardening, designing (logos and interiors), cooking, travelling, Italian food and relaxing with a good series on TV. Together with my husband Marc, I enjoy life to the full.

Want to know more or get started together?
Feel free to look around the website or take contact with me. Who knows, see you soon!

The story behind my logo

My new logo is a combination of a horse and a phoenix - it symbolises my own story. The phoenix represents resilience, starting again and growing after difficult times. The horse symbolises strength, freedom and perseverance.
 
The warm colour transition from orange to red underlines that development - growing from within, becoming stronger. The horse at the heart of the phoenix shows what it is all about for me: guiding people and horses in their own process of growth and change, in a strong and gentle way.

I am incredibly grateful that Maarten came our way; he is a top instructor!

- Lisa

As a rider who focuses mainly on show jumping, I knew how important a good foundation is in dressage, but only since lessons with Maarten have I really started to understand what that means.

- Eveline

Maarten made it possible for me to keep believing in dreams and meanwhile I can call myself light tour and international dressage rider.

- Esther

Maarten motivates me with his positive way of teaching. Not too bland but above all very clear with the well-being of the horse always coming first.

- Edith

Maarten has the rare ability to combine a high level of professionalism with an exceptional passion for horses and people.

- Simone

MaartenvanStek.nl | Realisation: Horsedesign