Without owners, there is no equestrian top sport: Hans Hendriks

Hans Hendriks was born 66 years ago on a mixed farm. There, he not only developed a love for animals but also learned at a young age that achieving success requires hard work. Before establishing his stable for top-tier showjumping horses in Loo, near Arnhem, eight years ago, Hans had already built a reputation as a first-class entrepreneur.

As a young man, he started a landscaping business, which later expanded into multiple companies, including a landscape architecture firm. He then shifted his focus to the construction and renovation of equestrian facilities, creating many outstanding venues over the years. Today, both of his sons and his daughter work in the companies he founded, which he has now handed over to them.

This transition has given Hans the time to focus on his true passion: the sport stable. Hendriks Sporthorses is dedicated to training young horses and developing them into high-level competitors.

On Christmas Eve, It All Began
Hans: “Soraya Nijssen worked at my stable and rode the young horses. I had just started the sport stable, and Soraya was still young. After only six months with me, she came to me on Christmas Eve with the news that Galdal Mé was for sale. She had ridden him as a four-year-old and was still in love with him. At the time, he was with Sander Geerink. We went to try him out, and within ten minutes, I bought him. That was six years ago—he was eight years old then. The first time we took him to a competition, he was so nervous that he trotted a meter off the ground. Roy Wheel came to my stable and rode him for a year. When he left, I placed an ad for a new rider. At the time, Tani was still in school and occasionally rode some of my horses. She asked me why she couldn’t ride Galdal Mé. My answer was that she was still young and had to focus on school. She responded by saying she didn’t want to continue school anymore. So, together, we went to her mother, Sylvia Joosten, and that’s how it all started. Sylvia supported Tani however she could, guiding her in dressage and accompanying her to competitions. The result speaks for itself—Tani and Galdal Mé have become a true partnership.”

Galdal Mé

“Galdal is a gelding, fourteen years old, 1.80m tall, incredibly sweet, and has large, light brown eyes. He is very intelligent and completely focused on Tani and her groom. When her groom, Mara, starts packing the competition trunk, he already knows they are going to a show.

He only really started working seriously at the age of twelve. He has been successful in the U25 class and was given every opportunity by Vincent Voorn. Fortunately, Jos Lansink has continued that journey.”

Enjoying instead of selling

"From the very beginning, there has been a lot of interest in the horse, but I just can't bring myself to sell him. I’m too much of a horse lover for that, and sometimes, emotion costs money. Besides, I once dreamed of experiencing everything that I’m now going through with Galdal.

If you have a beautiful classic car in your garage and sell it for a lot of money, yes, your bank account will look great. But the downside is that you can no longer take it out for a Sunday drive and enjoy it. The same goes for a great horse.

I’ve worked incredibly hard my whole life, and this is my way of enjoying it. Of course, selling can be a financial decision, but I come from a farming background, and to me, a horse is not just a product. I breed a few foals every year, and I love it. I truly enjoy everything about horses. A friend of mine once had an exceptional horse, and he did sell it. Looking back, he regrets it because the joy is gone."

CHIO & Rotterdam

"About ten years ago, I attended CHIO Rotterdam for the first time, but that was for business purposes—to install fencing after my son, Jeroen Aarts, took over the enclosure business. I think your event is fantastic—the setting and everything around it. It must be every rider’s dream to compete there.

After that, I didn’t visit for a while, but when Tani got the chance to compete last year, I found it so special that I decided to get a VIP table. I loved every moment of it. I always enjoy outdoor competitions, but the way everything is arranged at CHIO Rotterdam—the atmosphere, the walk through the forest from the stables to the main arena—it’s all just stunning. I thought it was absolutely thrilling.

By the way, I also find Rotterdam as a city very impressive. A friend of mine bought an apartment in Katendrecht six months ago, so we’ve been exploring the city a few times. It really surprised me—what a transformation! We even went to see Feyenoord play."

Hands in the Pockets

“I really hope that Tani will get the chance to compete in Rotterdam again this year, but that decision lies with the national coach. We have traveled abroad for many major competitions, but nothing compares to competing in your own country. The best part is seeing and catching up with so many familiar faces. You can truly be yourself, and the atmosphere is always great. I like to call events like Rotterdam 'hands-in-the-pockets competitions.' Even though last year wasn’t Tani’s best performance, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would love to see her ride there again in June.”

Memories and Dreams

“So far, the Nations Cup in Drammen is my best memory with Galdal. He and Tani rode two clear rounds there. He also jumped brilliantly in Warsaw, and Prague and Abu Dhabi were special as well. Honestly, everything feels special to me because it’s all still new. But above all, I do this for myself. I don’t need to be in the spotlight—I just want to enjoy the journey. I also have a dream: I would love to see Tani and Galdal compete in Aachen one day. Since he started jumping late, I believe he still has a few good years ahead. He is not for sale, and as long as he and Tani stay healthy, we can continue enjoying this experience for years to come.”

The Importance of Horse Welfare
“My businesses have made all of this possible, allowing me to experience equestrian sports in this way. But I also want to highlight the importance of horse welfare. Some things really need to change—not necessarily in top sport, but more at lower levels. I still see so many horses standing in the mud without any access to a dry area. Of course, there are exceptions, but I dare say that nearly 100% of top riders take the best possible care of their horses. The reason activists target major events is simply because they get more publicity there than they would by protesting at a small stable in a village. Finally, I want to sincerely thank the Dutch national coaches and event organizers. I am incredibly grateful for their support in helping us get to where we are today—none of this would have been possible without them.”

We spoke with an owner who clearly cherishes every moment with his horse and hopes to continue doing so for years to come. Let’s hope he inspires many others so we can keep enjoying equestrian sports at the highest level. See you at CHIO 2025, Hans!