Jacob van der Heide with team Mei Grand Prix Dei Grand Prix in Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge

Many people spend weeks or even months busy with Indoor Friesland, both before and during the competition, in front of and behind the scenes. Some even do both. Jacob van der Heide is a good example. He will participate in the Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge and with several horses in the SLTN Night of the Stallions. He also enjoys being a spectator. His dream is to one day compete in the Small Tour or even the Grand Tour at the WTC Expo, preferably with a Friesian stallion, of course. We called Jacob van der Heiden. 

Jacob is 37 years old and lives in Sneek. He was born in Heeg and is therefore a true Frisian. His daily life consists of riding Frisian stallions and warmbloods, both his own and those owned by others. He also gives a lot of lessons and does some trading. Three days a week he rides with and for Jelmer Chardon in Jorwert and three mornings he competes at Stud Farm Friese Visser in Drachten. He teaches five evenings a week and spends the rest of his time with his own horses. Jacob is single and enjoys going out with friends in his spare time. He also enjoys dining out and sailing in the summer.

May Grand Prix Nei Grand Prix

Jacob: "I currently own four horses. A ten-year-old that I ride at Grand Prix level, my ZZ-heavy horse Moschino (bay horse in the picture), and two six-year-old offspring of Geniaal and Daily Diamond. At Indoor Friesland, I'll be competing in the Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge for the Mei Grand Prix Nei Grand Prix team. This used to be an initiative to help riders from the Northern Netherlands reach the highest level of dressage. Unfortunately, it no longer exists, but there was still some savings, and we decided to use it to compete with a team in the Team Challenge at Indoor Friesland. My colleagues in this are riders Harmina Holwerda and Marsja de Vries-Dijkman and captains Petra Duindam and Doede Santema. I was invited to join the team and was very happy about it. Indoor Friesland is a fantastic show, the challenge is a super fun class, and it fits well into my horse's schedule leading up to the Small Tour. I'll be competing with Moschino in Starting at the ZZ-Zwaar level. We have a good team with good riders, we're enthusiastic and we're going for it."

Moschino 

Moschino is a Danish Warmblood horse I bought two years ago as a project from Blue Horse. He's out of Blue Horse Zack's dam, a very nice line. He wasn't the easiest horse to manage at first, but he's become a fantastic horse, and I really think he's going to be a Grand Prix horse.

Two weeks Indoor Friesland 

Last year I also rode at Indoor Friesland, on the Frisian evening, in a pas de deux with Frisian stallions. I'd been coming to the old Indoor Friesland as a little boy. I loved it and was sad when it closed. When it came back, I was thrilled, especially when I could participate or contribute. I also ride at the Friesian Proms before the Frisian stallion inspection in January. I enjoy being there and promoting the stallions. Last year, I was allowed to ride there while Rene Froger sang live in the arena. This and the Frisian evening are especially special for the breeders and owners. It's great for them to see their horses in action. I'll also be riding a few stallions at Indoor Friesland this year at the Night of the Stallions. I want to watch the Frisian evening as an audience, and I'll try to catch a few other evenings as well, both dressage and show jumping. Indeed, those two weeks at Indoor Friesland are completely dedicated to me. The sign of the competition, I'm looking forward to it. I think I'll be in the ring with four or five horses. It's fantastic that breeding is also being included in the program this year. You mainly see the stallions at the beginning of the year and not after that, so this is a great addition."

Jacob van der Heide will participate in the Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge with the team Mei Grand Prix Nei Grand Prix. Read his story here.

Cozy, beautiful, close by 

Indoor Friesland in three words? Friendly, beautiful, and close by. It's my dream to compete internationally there one day. Small Tour would be great, but Big Tour would be absolutely fantastic. Indoor Friesland is special. The competition is part of our province, and nowhere else are the spectators as enthusiastic. Horses are emotional and part of us. So, everyone come to the WTC Expo in Leeuwarden to enjoy our wonderful sport and everything that comes with it!

Horse Clinic Wolvega Team Challenge

The Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge takes place on Saturday morning, October 18th, starting at 9:00 AM. Come cheer on local and regional favorites like Jacob, or admire how top riders like Dinja van Liere guide their young horses through an impressive setting like that of Indoor Friesland. Besides Dinja, several other top riders have registered teams for this fun challenge. We'll announce all the participating teams soon.

You can find more information here.

You can order tickets via our website: https://indoorfriesland.frl/praktische-informatie/tickets/

Photos: Digishots

Text: Marjan de Wildt for Indoor Friesland