On learning more, teaching, educating and being curious... (part 4)

The ORUN Instructor training course

I was already starting to stand more and more on my own two feet. I had some teaching clients here and there, and in addition to my work at Annemiek Ravensteijn, I worked two days a week at Jacques Bakker's hunting stable. By now I also had my driving licence and was driving around in a very cool yellow Mini Cooper. Still, I felt something was missing; I may have done Deurne, but I wanted more. Through a fellow student from Deurne, I was made aware of the ORUN Instructor course, which was already being held in Uddel (now Ermelo) at the KNF centre. I was immediately able to do the final year and for 20 weeks we went to Uddel every Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Johan Hamminga, Wim Bonhof, Lammert Haanstra; more masters...

‘Uddel’ was coming home... the training also had a completely different approach to Deurne, so comparing would be unfair. In Uddel, it was mainly about riding and teaching with a view to competition sport as well as training (young) horses. There were all kinds of horses stabled that we, as students, had to train. The main coaches at the time were Johan Hamminga, Wim Bonhof, Lammert Haanstra and, indirectly, Mr Ruiterkamp. There were not many theory lessons; everyone was much more interested in riding, lunging and teaching! Johan was more from dressage, Wim from jumping and Lammert from lunging, judging and theory.

For me it was really coming home, because the atmosphere was so pleasant and we were working towards the same goal. Even the coaches never placed themselves above us, but were with us. My disability was not a problem at all, indeed, years later I heard that other groups were sometimes obliged to go and watch when I was riding to learn from it and that Johan had mentioned me many more times in his clinics. It was a good thing I didn't know that at the time, though, otherwise I might have started walking beside my shoes, haha! I passed with very good grades, culminating in a 9.5 for teaching.

Teaching, teaching, teaching

My ORUN diploma was always worth a lot to me; you were trained all-round and it brought me many opportunities with the National Riding Societies. Within no time, I was teaching dressage, show jumping and eights at various riding associations such as St Hubertus in Lisse, Captain van der Wal in Hoofddorp, the Weteringruiters in Nieuwe Wetering and the Zaanse Ruiters in Wormerveer. This also gave me more private lessons and, thanks to Tiego, I also became better known as a rider. I got to ride other horses and even after the sale of Tiego to Spain, I was always assured of a couple of fine horses to bring out in competition. I won't mention them all, but I reached Z dressage with most of them.

Stable Brugman and how relative success can be

When I faced a vacancy Stable Manager/Rider at a private stable in the East of the country, I decided to apply. And my native soil attracted... I was hired and I left. For a few years, I had the opportunity to run the stables of Alice and Hans Brugman Jr. In the beginning, there were a few thoroughbreds with which Hans rode (then still) military and composite competitions, but soon a few fine dressage horses were added. I loved training the eventers, but I also loved training the still young dressage horses. By now I had made such a name for myself that I had also made the Jan Greve's breeding stallion Forum one season at all kinds of shows. In retrospect, my departure from Brugman was not my happiest decision.... A black period in my life dawned. I don't want to dwell on it, but I became seriously ill and haven't looked at, let alone touched, a horse for almost 10 years

Marc, Simply Red and it started all over again

It was my dear husband Marc who helped me get back on horseback. He used to say that when I started talking about my time in horses, the light in my eyes started shining double. The very first ride on a horse back then, however, was not the most successful; I fell off and broke my ankle in two places. Once healed, I was able to the large mare Simply Red (by Darlington) lease from Margie Ansems. That was a good solution because with my busy design studio, I did not have enough time to take care of a horse seven days a week and so everyone was happy. Simply Red has a very special place in my heart. It was she who carried me back into the competition ring after such a long time away. As I write this, I get a lump in my throat again. I was later able to take her over and enjoyed her well-deserved retirement with Clementine de Kruijf for many years to come.

The MacRider Cup and William

The past few years are familiar to everyone, I think. To which I would add the MacRider Cup do not want to leave unmentioned; this gave me national prominence as a coach. And of course my showpiece William, who against all odds, turned out to be my most successful horse and who is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement!

To return to the title of this series of blogs; the trainings as I had them in Deurne and Uddel, there was nothing wrong with them at all. The whole set-up, the structure, the discipline, the passion for the sport are things I wouldn't have wanted to miss. I still tarry on that. As far as that is concerned, no matter how hard it is worked on, I still find it a shortcoming in the training courses of the last decades. There is a lot of proliferation of all kinds of courses and with just a few afternoons you can give yourself all kinds of fancy titles. My biggest concern is that authentic craftsmanship is disappearing, not only among instructors but also among blacksmiths, dentists, saddle fitters and so on. If I am too old in 15-20 years, who will I leave my knowledge and experience to? And that's how I know there are a lot more ‘trade idiots’ walking around....

Watching and listening

But not only training is blissful. I have learned a lot from many people, sometimes just by watching, listening to what others say. And not just from people who were further along than me. You can learn from anyone; even if it's just how you don't want or need to do it. I would like to make an appeal to all my readers: sit down at a competition with a notepad at the loose riding and write down what you see and hear. Stay away from judgment, but pick out for yourself what interests you, what raises questions for you and then talk about it with someone who can and wants to explain it to you. Go and watch more often at training sessions of riders who are more advanced than you, dare to ask questions! As long as you are positively interested, many will be happy to talk to you. Check out your friends' lessons at your stables. Listen and watch! Be like a sponge!

Growing older

As I get older, my ambition lies less in riding and more in coaching, I notice more and more that in the almost 50 years I have been around the horse world a lot has changed and improved. We know so much more about managing sport horses and everything that goes with it. Welfare plays a big role and rightly so! There is a lot of information available to everyone, but - partly due to the internet and social media - also a lot of misinformation, it is sometimes quite difficult for many where to turn for advice and clarity. I sincerely hope that the true profession of ‘horse person’ continues to exist! I dare say that I have never stood still and am still learning. And that I may assist many more people with my knowledge in their learning process, their search and their ambition to enjoy our sport as much as possible!