| |
Albert grew up in an
agrarian family. Father Krijn was a market-gardener and mother Will
the daughter of a stock-farmer.
Albert’s neighbours worked the land with fancy horses, and every
minute of his spare time Albert was present. At the age of 8 Albert
bought, from his own savings, a New Forest Pony foal, which he
learned to ride with the help of his neighbour, when the pony had
reached the proper age.
It was with this pony that Albert rode his first competition, and
later even participated internationally. Albert sold Marinette to
the Vermeulen family in Breukelen and with this money he bought a 3
year-old horse.After his school years
Albert went to work with horse-trader Tom Olsmeyer in Doorwerth,
where he also met Irma. As long as Albert is involved with horses,
his goal is to be the best in the trade and to get the maximum out
of it. On his road to this goal a number of people exerted an
enormous influence:
| |
Mr Boef: |
Albert spent a lot of
time at Mr. Boef's riding school at the age of 12. Mr. Boef rewarded Albert for his
work in the
stable with extra riding lessons. Albert still uses the
way of longeing taught to him by Mr. Boef.
|
| |
Eddie Macken: |
At the international
competitions Albert attended, he was very impressed by
Eddie’s style over fences, especially his leg position.
Thanks to Eddie's influence, Albert is known as one of the world’s
best stylists.
|
| |
Franke Sloothaak: |
When Franke had his
education at Alwin Schockemohle’s, Albert had a great
interest in the dressage activities, Franke wielded with his
horses. By pulling together a lot with Franke during
competitions, the latter taught Albert how to put this into
practice.
Franke gave Albert all the ingredients he needed to ride the
horses with as much lightness as possible.
For Albert it is hard to understand why Franke doesn’t use
this method anymore.
|
| |
Ian Millar: |
On Albert’s request,
Emiel Hendrix contacted him with Ian Millar. According to
Albert, Ian was the one who could help him with the horse,
Wembly, which was hard to ride.
It was in this lesson, that Albert totally changed his view
of how a horse should jump. From Ian he learned that a horse
always gives its best when you let it jump like it does by
nature, and that, as a rider you should hamper it as less as
possible.
|
| |
Henk Nooren: |
Albert was raised by his
parents with a lot of discipline and a lot of attention for
detail in his work.
Albert always was very much impressed by the discipline and
accuracy Henk worked with. Henk is on a daily base in
Albert’s mind, when it comes to the discipline of riding and
training.
|
| |
Rob de Vink: |
Rob had great influence
in the fitness training of the horses.
Rob has also passed on to Vincent some of this specific
methods. |
| |
Monty Roberts: |
By reading Monty’s
book "The Man who listens to Horses" and by watching the
video "Join up" Albert has enormously re-adjusted his
attitude towards horses. He has become much more
horse-friendly and feels more complete as a horseman. |
| |
Willy Sidorak:
Jan Jonas: |
Both of them have shown
Albert that the way of feeding horses has a big influence
on their health. Especially the attention for problems that
occur because of muscular pains. Because of this a lot of
medical problems can be prevented.
|
| |
The thoroughbred horse: |
Because of their great
love for the thoroughbred and the racing, Albert temporarily
has trained race-horses.
Soon Albert found out that leaving the horse in its value
and not forcing it during training-time are a must for good
and regular results without injuries. |
All these people and animals have made
Albert the horseman he is now.
He has been able to achieve great results with horses that others
had given up on.
Albert tries to pass on this way of dealing with horses in lessons
and demonstrations to riders worldwide.
In 2002, in recognition of his training and teaching, Albert was
awarded the title of Rider of Honour by Mr. Porte de Theil of
the Cadre Noir in Saumur in France.
back
|
