Mother and son look back at a great CHIO

Marie Louise is married to Geert Moerings. Together they have two children: Bas (26) and Eline (22). The whole family is involved in their own business: Moerings Sporthorses. Despite his young age, Bas has been competing at CHIO Rotterdam for several years, while Marie Louise has been volunteering. She started as a judge’s assistant and, since this year, has become a hostess in the Master Club Lounge.

Mother and son are sitting together when we call — at 10:00 in the morning, a rare moment of calm at their busy yard with 25 horses in training and another 35 young horses being raised. Marie Louise says: “That’s right, but if CHIO calls, we always make time. We do everything we can to contribute to the success of this fantastic event. I’ve been coming to CHIO as a spectator for a long time. A friend of mine, who lived in Rotterdam, took us along. ‘Us’ being my husband Geert and myself. We’ve been together since we were young, and CHIO Rotterdam was always a day out together. I think our first time must have been around 1982. Bas has never been just a spectator. When he turned 18, he got the amazing opportunity to compete in the U25 and has been riding there multiple times since. This year he competed in the five-star tour with Kivinia and Ipsthar, both homebred horses, making it even more special."

"I’ve been volunteering since 2015. I’d already worked at several international shows when the late Vivian Lindemann invited me to join the CHIO jury assistant team. That same year, I got my Small Tour judge license and organized events myself, so I knew how important it is to have good volunteers. With automation, fewer scribes are needed now, so this year I became a hostess at the Master Club Lounge, a skybox where guests can enjoy the sport in a luxurious setting with food and drinks. I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely do it again next year. It’s great to help people have a wonderful day and explain the sport to them.”

An enthusiastic start to a special conversation. We wonder who is prouder of Bas’s performance this year — mother or son? Bas, modestly: “Definitely my mother. It is what it is. I’m proud of my horse, not much else. Fifth place isn’t winning, I’m happy but that’s it. The first round was long with some typical challenges, but my round went really well. In the jump-off, there were eight clear rounds and my horse is always quick, almost every jump-off suits him. But I got a bit too excited, decided to take out a stride after a turn, and had one fault. A shame, because otherwise, I might have won.”

Marie Louise: “I always believed Ipsthar was a special horse. Bas broke him in himself at fifteen and presented him at the stallion inspection. He’s always been a kind, willing horse. That makes it extra special to see them compete at CHIO and achieve this result. On the day itself you’re happy, but it really sinks in later — like on Monday, when we got congratulations from all over the country because the Grand Prix was broadcast live on national TV.”

Ipsthar is a 12-year-old homebred approved stallion by Denzel van ’t Meulenhof. Bas explains: “My father picked the stallion. I was too young to be involved back then, but my father consulted with Joris de Brabander. Denzel wasn’t covering many mares, but his offspring showed quality. Now we all discuss breeding decisions, though my father has the final say.”

Marie Louise: “At Moerings Sporthorses we breed and train horses up to top-level sport. We also have an arable farm.” Bas, laughing: “My father likes to keep things in-house, which is why we grow our own forage. My father and I are both farriers, and my sister Eline, who graduated from Agricultural College, inseminates and scans the mares herself and teaches equine management. She’s also a volunteer at CHIO as a jumping judge’s assistant.”

Marie Louise is the odd one out, being a Grand Prix dressage rider: “I have a nice horse again, a six-year-old by Toto Jr. I recently competed in the regional Z2 championships. Bas broke him in and sometimes rides him, too. (laughing) When we were on holiday, he even took him for lessons with Johan Rockx.”

When asked about their favorite CHIO memories, Marie Louise answers: “Bas’s first and most recent time competing. The first time we stayed in the lorry, I was both his groom and a volunteer, and he rode fantastic. And this last time… Ipsthar is my dream horse.” Bas adds simply: “This fifth place, of course.”

Bas says: “CHIO is special because of the volunteers. They work so hard on such a challenging location.” Marie Louise agrees: “The walk from the stables to the main ring, through the woods with the lights — it’s magical. My husband and I used to enjoy pancakes at De Big restaurant, which sadly no longer exists, but it was part of our CHIO tradition.”

On their dreams, Bas says: “To win the Grand Prix or the Longines League of Nations™, ideally both — but the Nations Cup would be my favorite because of the team element.” Marie Louise: “That CHIO continues for at least 50 more years. It’s a unique event.”

Marie Louise adds: “Rotterdam is a fantastic city. It’s only 30 minutes from our home. I love spending a day out there. Bas disagrees: “I don’t like big cities. Once a year is enough.”

On the future, Marie Louise says: “I’ll never ride at CHIO, my high-level riding days are over. We belong to a riding club in North Brabant, so I can’t even do the 2FitHorses CHIO Zuid-Holland Cup. The Moerings are loyal to Oud Gastel Riding Club.” Bas concludes: “I’ll see where the horses take me.”

Marie Louise wraps up: “We’re happy as we are now, and I hope to keep enjoying this life for a long time.”

A conversation full of passion for horses and CHIO Rotterdam, from both mother and son — and their whole family. Thank you, Bas and Marie Louise, and see you at CHIO 2026!