Marieke van der Putten Doesn’t Bet on Just One Horse
She’s in the enviable position of currently having no fewer than three horses competing at the highest level — and she’s thoroughly enjoying it. The fact that none of these horses are set to be sold anytime soon gives her peace of mind. The horse she’s bringing to the FEI Nations Cup 5* Grand Prix in Rotterdam is especially dear to her, as she’s been riding him since he was freshly backed. Marieke rides about eleven horses each day and is supported by her loyal coach, Marion Schreuder, who’s always there for her. We've interviewed Marieke van der Putten.
At 42 years old, Marieke rose to prominence as a rider at the GLOCK Horse Performance Center. In 2017, she decided to spread her wings and joined RS2 Dressage in Groesbeek. After a successful observation competition in Exloo, national coach Patrick van der Meer announced that she was selected for his team for the Nations Cup in the Kralingse Bos. Before even answering our first question, her cheerful voice already tells us we’re speaking to someone who’s happy and content.
A Luxurious Position
Marieke: “That’s right. I’m relatively down-to-earth, but I’m really happy with how I rode in Exloo. However, this is just the beginning. I now have three top-level horses that, in principle, are not for sale. RS2 is focused on the sport and they truly enjoy it. So I’m continuing with my training. Of course, it’s hard work and I put in long days, but I’m in a luxurious position and I have great goals to work toward.”
Kuvasz RS2, Zantana RS2, Torveslettens Titanium RS2
“Indeed, I currently have three horses at the highest level. I’ve consciously chosen to start Kuvasz RS2 N.O.P.T. in Rotterdam, while Zantana RS2 and Torveslettens Titanium RS2 will be heading to Aachen. After that, I hope to compete with all of them in Ermelo at the end of July. The ultimate goal, of course, is the European Championship in France this year, in early September. It’s a busy schedule, yes, having three horses at this level, but it’s also a luxury and I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to bet on just one horse, so to speak. I’m riding Kuvasz in Rotterdam because he’s still quite green at this level, and in Rotterdam, the horses only do two tests, compared to three in Aachen. Right now, three tests is still too much for him. Kuvasz is a very special horse to me. I’ve ridden him since he was just saddle broken, and up until he was six, we had to lunge him before I could even get on. Once you’re in the saddle though, he’s very sweet. I’ve always believed in him. I still do — he has much more to offer than what he’s showing now. This is just the beginning. He’s very smart, and we understand each other completely.”
New to This Level“I haven’t competed in many big shows yet — I’m still new at this level. Last year was the first time I was able to truly experience CHIO Rotterdam as a participant. I had a great time, partly because of the beautiful weather, but also because of the top sport and the great atmosphere. I also want to say that everything was extremely well organized. When I’m at a show, I prefer to stay close to my horses. We might go out to eat in the city in the evening, but I have a certain focus during competitions and it feels best to stay near the horses.”
Raising the Scores
“I mentioned recently that, given the current situation with TeamNL Dressage — where nothing is guaranteed and all team spots are still up for grabs — I’ve become even more driven. It’s something that plays out in my head. I know I have good horses. Granted, Zantana and Kuvasz have only done four Grand Prix tests so far, and I’m not yet scoring 72 or 73 percent, but I also know that there’s still plenty of room to improve those scores. That’s what I’m aiming for. You’re not going to win a European Championship with the scores I’ve got right now.” In the Saddle from
7:00 to 17:30
“I work hard for this. Every morning I start riding at 7:00 a.m. and aim to get off my last horse by 5:30 p.m. I have eleven horses to ride — though of course, they don’t all need to be worked every day — and I plan their schedules carefully. In addition to riding, I have a few clients I give lessons to, but I don’t teach too much because I want to focus on my top horses. I also have a voice in stable management and help Marijn, who takes care of some of our horses. Yes, my days are indeed full.” Hard to Say Where We Stand “I haven’t really thought about where we stand as TeamNL Dressage — it’s still hard to say at this point. We’re working with many new combinations right now, and we’ll have to see how that develops. What we do know is that, at this moment, we don’t have a clear standout — the kind you need to be at the very top of the rankings. But like I said, I’m not thinking about that just yet — my main focus is on myself.”
Marion Schreuder
“Marion Schreuder is my coach throughout this whole process. She comes to watch my training sessions twice a week, and we talk about everything — not just riding, but also planning, the mental aspect, and she also comes to competitions. She’s an incredibly valuable support system for me.”
Everything for the Horses
“After Exloo, my top horses had a few days off, and now the focus is on Rotterdam. Our physiotherapist comes to the stables every two weeks as a rule, and that’ll definitely be the case before Rotterdam as well. (laughing) As for myself, I don’t do anything special — but everything is done for the horses.”
“Yes, I’m really looking forward to Rotterdam, and I hope many fans are too. Everyone should come to CHIO so we can enjoy this beautiful sport together. Our shared passion is the love for horses, and that’s something we should enjoy together.”