Albert Zoer: Indoor Friesland feels like coming home

Things are moving fast now. Next month, Indoor Friesland 2025 is already on the calendar, with the Horses22fly final on October 2nd in the undoubtedly packed and atmospheric WTC Expo in Leeuwarden. The penultimate selection for the Horses2fly final took place at the renowned Pieter Stuyvesant Competition in Sonnega, and the winner was someone who had been in the front several times before, but finally managed to score a coveted Golden Ticket. Albert Zoer. We're happy to have him on board, because like many top riders in the north, he always goes for it. 

Albert Zoer won the 1.30m class aboard the seven-year-old gelding Norjado M (by Il est Balou). He also finished second in the same class. His four-legged partner in this class was the seven-year-old mare Nadine (by Il est Balou). The Drent also took home the red ribbon in the 1.35m class, riding the eight-year-old mare Moncheri (by It's Otto).

Stable Zoer 

As you know, Albert's father, Arent, passed away last year. Together they ran the very successful Stal Zoer. We begin our conversation by asking how Albert and his stable are doing now that he's running it alone. Albert, as down-to-earth as he knows him, explains: "Things are going pretty well. I have a lot of young, talented horses and I still compete almost every week. I've had some injuries myself this past year, but Stal Zoer is still going strong. I have a good stable rider and a young man who rides the younger horses, so I'm still active myself."

Norjado, Nadine, Moncheri 

I went to Sonnega specifically for the Horses2fly selections. I've already competed in the finals twice and am eager to be there again this year. The three horses I won prizes with are talented, but still too young for international competitions. However, at a competition like Indoor Friesland, they can really settle in and gain invaluable experience. All three jumped fantastically at the Pieter Stuyvesant Competition. It was their first time indoors again, and that took some getting used to, but I got into a good rhythm in both the basic courses and the jump-offs, and they went smoothly. In the 1.30m, I was first with Nadine (the black mare in the photo) when I was the last starter to enter the arena with Norjado. He's naturally fast, and without having to rush, I was able to ride nice, short lines. The win was the pleasant result. A nice detail: my three placed horses at Sonnega are all offspring of stallions I rode myself, the KWPN stallions Il It's Balou and It's Otto. I bought Norjado as a four-year-old nearby, and I bred Nadine and Moncheri myself."

Horses2fly competition the best

I rate Indoor Friesland highly. As most of you know, I've seen competitions all over the world and can therefore say that everything in Leeuwarden is excellent. The spectators couldn't be better, and you can clearly tell that the competition is organized by true horse people. Everyone is very cooperative and supportive. I don't want to name names, but I happened to mention to a fellow rider at Sonnega that you used to do your best to compete in other national competitions at international shows, but that they were all inferior to the Horses2fly competition at Indoor Friesland. Since Indoor Friesland is back, we all want to go to Leeuwarden. I've already competed in the selections in Tolbert and Zuidwolde and will probably also register for Warga, even though it coincides with Lanaken.

Conviviality, top-level sport, grassroots sport 

"Yes, I'm definitely going to cash in my Golden Ticket; I'm eager to participate. With Norjado, and hopefully with more horses. Next year, I hope to be able to compete internationally again. The business continues, and in principle, I don't keep horses for sport. But I currently have a lot of great, talented young horses and I'll continue to look for new ones, so that should work out. Indoor Friesland in three words? A friendly atmosphere, top-level sport, and grassroots sport."

Swimming 

Albert and horses are as closely linked as Friesland and ice skating. From top international equestrian to trainer and dealer, he does it all. We're curious: when he's not busy with his horses and stables, does he have any other hobbies? Albert: "Absolutely, it also involves water, just like Pim Mulder loves ice skating. I'm going for the liquid version; I've loved swimming for a long time. Swimming laps in a pool. I go every week, sometimes even twice."

Feels like coming home 

"Back to Indoor Friesland, I'm looking forward to it. Small, but great. It feels like coming home. The competition isn't the biggest, but it is very good and conveniently close. The atmosphere is friendly. It's like how I started out a long time ago, but with the quality of a five-star competition."

So says the former FEI world number one, European Champion, World Champion, and winner of numerous Grand Prix. We feel honored. Thank you for your kind words, Albert, and we look forward to seeing you next month at the WTC Expo in Leeuwarden.

Photos: Stal Zoer and Digishots

Text: Marjan de Wildt