The Epplejeck Viertallen Cup is more than just riding dressage together

On Friday evening, October 17, a class for foursomes is on the Indoor Friesland program for the first time: the final of the Epplejeck Foursomes Cup. This is special for the audience, but certainly also for the participants. Foursome riding is much more than performing a freestyle to music with four combinations. Foursome riding is thinking together, acting together, becoming one together. Not just with your horse, as in regular dressage, but also with your team members. This path is not always paved, but once the route is paved, it provides immense satisfaction and is pure enjoyment. We spoke with the team captain of the Friesian Show Team, Menke Steenbergen.

Menke is 42 years old and has been the commander/trainer/coach of the team from Siddeburen, Groningen, for a year now. She also rides, but not a Friesian; Menke saddles a KWPN-bred horse. In the past, she also rode a foursome. Until she moved to the north of the country, she lived in Brabant and had never been to Indoor Friesland. The Dutch Masters – Indoor Brabant Horse Show was her competition.

From 30 to 62 years 

Menke: “The team has been around since 2022. Joke de Boer of Stal De Boer started it as a hobby. But it gradually became more serious. We started with shows, but competitions followed. A year ago, there was a lot of commotion in the team, and the then-commander resigned, so I was asked. The current team consists of Joke de Boer, Jannie Mulder, Birgit Meijer, Amanda Wieringa-Roelvink, and Priscella Bartelds. The ladies range in age from 30 to 62 and currently compete at M-level. All the ladies are equally good, and I haven't yet decided who will be the reserve. I think that's a good thing, because that way everyone is equally involved. I'm not going to decide until the very last minute, and I'm sure there will be a few tears shed over it.”

From troubles to a close-knit team 

The difficult thing about riding as a foursome is that, just like in a relationship, you're never all the same. In our team, the personalities of the women are even very different. That's become one of our strengths, but it was a major pitfall in the beginning. Everyone is incredibly fanatical; they can always do better and are never good enough. One person really wants to be at the forefront, the other not. One person wants all possible structure, the other is chaotic. When I joined the team, we first sat down together to get to know each other. I explained that a team does everything and makes decisions together. I also set a goal, and not the least of them: the Dutch Championship. Opinions were divided on this as well, but we put everything on the table and put our heads together. One person wants to show off, the other wants to compete, to name just one example. I had already heard that there were difficulties within the team, so I was extra motivated, and this was my first action. What do we want, and everyone has to contribute? That was quite a process, but we figured it out. Someone does The music, someone else the website. Another the finances, and so on. I'm the one doing the testing. In the winter, we train every two weeks, and in the summer, every week. I teach those training sessions myself."

Lots of attention and views 

The great thing about riding in a foursome is that you get completely different opportunities. I mean, you don't just ride your test; you get to go to special places where you can give a show. You get a lot of attention and looks, even from non-horse people. You also interact with your horse in a different way and do different exercises. A disadvantage is that individual interests have to take precedence. For example, if your horse isn't moving perfectly, you can't work on it because the test has to go on, and you have to be there for your teammates. For a while, we only did competitions and shows, until one time we went out for dinner and didn't see each other in riding breeches. This clearly improved our relationship, and we should have done it sooner. We compete, but also do shows and other performances. For example, the Dickens Festival and with the Friends of the Frisian Horse. We also deliver cards on horseback for Valentine's Day.

Last Chance 

So now we're allowed to compete at Indoor Friesland because we became regional champions, and these champions automatically qualify. On Sunday, September 28th, there's another Last Chance competition at WB Stables in Warga, Friesland. This competition is open to teams from all over the Netherlands. The ladies are thrilled that they've already qualified; competing at Indoor Friesland is out of reach for many riders. We're hopeful that it will go well. Friesian horses are generally cool-headed, and the most experienced horse leads the way. So, we decided together that we want to shine. You have to ride the test with which you qualified, but otherwise, you have complete freedom. We're going for more show, glitter, and glamour. Regarding our freestyle, it's really cool, and I can already reveal that we'll be entering to some exciting dance music. Before the National Championships, we had a team-building day with a whole program without horses, which helped us get to know each other even better. Things like this help you grow closer, and those different personalities become the strength of your team. Right now, just before Indoor Friesland, we're doing a lot of shopping. We managed to secure a sponsor for shiny patent leather boots. This also brings some lightness to the group; the ladies are so serious, it could use some lightening up…

Thanks for this candid, beautiful story, Menke. I hope this encourages more clubs and stables to start a foursome. Riding a foursome is so much more than just riding figures together. Good luck and have fun with the preparations, and I hope to see you next month at the WTC Expo in Leeuwarden.

Photos: Archive Menke Steenbergen and the Frisian Show Team

Text: Marjan de Wildt for Indoor Friesland