How it began... (part 1)

Equestrianism was not instilled in me; far from it.

My parents had nothing to do with horses. Oh, they were fine with me going horse riding, though. My sister was also already hanging out at the riding school every Saturday, and I went horse riding on a therapeutic basis as a seven-year-old boy, because ‘it was so good for my development.’ Because of the loss of my left arm. Later, when we moved to a farm in the Achterhoek, we got ponies and I would pretty much tear around the meadow and orchard with them. I think my mother was sometimes terrified, so we got a real outdoor arena, with sand and a fence around it. Apart from a few little competitions (through the FPG) and some Best Riding Pony classes at the New Forest Pony Studbook, that was pretty much my pony riding career.

I couldn't do anything except stay upstairs and sit neatly

When I graduated from high school, it was a foregone conclusion for my father that I would go to ‘his’ Art Academy. I had my doubts about that; I wasn't much into my father's world. No... this kid of barely 17 had to enter ‘the horses’... My mother had less trouble with it and was prepared to accompany me to Deurne for an interview with Mr Tjeerd Velstra. How big her relief was I don't know, but Mr Velstra's verdict was short and to the point: “Your son, with his disability, does not belong in this world at all. With us, there is no place for him.” But no one had counted on one thing; this kid of barely 17 did not let himself be rebuffed and persevered....

First steps in the horse world...

Not long after, I went on ‘trial training’ with Ms Thea Hendriks in Gorssel. And that's where my real horse life began. In my experience then, because I still couldn't do anything except stay on top and sit neatly. In terms of dressage riding, I really didn't know much and my knowledge of grooming also left much to be desired. But that was remedied at Manege De Prins! I was allowed to get the so-called Horse Care Diploma! Among other things, you had to know how to brush, first aid for horses, some theory, braiding and bandaging in four different ways. I got an exemption for those last two parts, although I didn't really understand why and thought it was nonsense. A few mornings a week, I was at the stable early, grabbed a well-behaved riding horse, braiding needle and tendon rope and the box of rags and bandages. And just practising! Blood, sweat and tears and even more frustration played tricks on me, but it had to be done and it would be done. Long story short: braiding I indeed had to give up; not doable with one hand. But I could bandage! With hands, feet, knees and teeth... I received my very first ‘Equestrian Diploma’ with a 10 for bandaging. That I can't braid I don't mind, but bandaging I can still do for a 10!

Go-getter...

My reputation as an iron fighter and go-getter was born. Thanks to Mrs Hendriks, I was still allowed to go to Deurne for a fortnight! Admittedly for the entrance exam for Instructor FPG (Federatie Paardrijden Gehandicapten), because that was less demanding and who knows, maybe I could still make a difference in that capacity, even if only as a specialist by experience. I didn't really want to, but inside was just inside. Ms Hendriks gave me the riding school horse Jenny, a sweet mare who always walked nicely with a round neck on the rein, jumped well and because she had little movement, you could sit nicely on her. And I was admitted! But clever as I was, I asked Mr Velstra if I was still good enough to go ‘for the real thing’. He scratched himself behind the ears once, blew his nose and said: “Well boy, I believe nobody can stop you, so go ahead. On one condition: you go for an internship at a real sports stable, with few staff, where they don't spare you and where there is a lot of jumping, because you can do that better than dressage. Then you take the entrance exam again and then we'll see.”

That boarding and jumping stable became Stal Ton Toonen in Soest. Ton jumped nationally, did a lot of trading and got dressage lessons from Piet Oothout. There were indeed few staff, about 30 horses and no, they did not spare me. You can read more about my adventures there and the continuation of my training in Part 2....