Holland, like Germany, has a very small group of always the same elite riders who are able to thrive in their discipline thanks to personal wealth or big corporate sponsors; of course in addition to hours, days, weeks, years of training and total dedication to dressage like all other riders.
Once in a while, one flew over the cuckoo's nest. Adelinde Cornelissen is such an exception to the rule as well as rising star Sander Marijnissen with his 14-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Moedwil (by Goodwill x Beaujolais).
Though we're only just in April, 2009 has already been an amazing year for Marijnissen. With Moedwil he placed second and third in the Grand Prix and Kur at the CDI Zwolle and 11th at the World Cup Qualifiers in Amsterdam and Neumunster. He won the Grand Prix and Kur at the CDI Bremen and placed seventh and ninth at the CDI Dortmund. He has achieved his Dutch A-team qualification scores and is now listed with Holland's best riders and considered for international team selection.
Moedwil came to Marijnissen as a 4-year old for training. The show jumping bred gelding was then owned by the Seignette family who wanted to explore the capacities of this horse under Sander. "At an early age, Moedwil was a very sensitive horse which was eager to learn and very willing to work. He had all the potential to become a top dressage horse," Marijnissen told Eurodressage. "He's got such a great character and is really a horse you can rely on."
With Moedwil he hopes to make his definitive international break through and Sander is going to make an ambitious attempt to accomplish his dream goals. "Of course it would be great to ride at a European Championships, a World Championship or the Olympic Games. We're going to do our best to get as far as possible," said Sander.
An often asked for clinician in The Netherlands, the 38-year old Marijnissen has trained four horses, Dakota, Cibufa, Griffier and Moedwil, from novice to Grand Prix level and runs his own dressage stable in Wijdewormer, The Netherlands together with wife Karina Eveleens. They have one son, Alexander.
Following his recent international successes and his promotion to the Dutch A-team, Eurodressage decided to get upclose and personal with Marijnissen and submitted him to a Between Heaven and Hell interview.
Sander, what's your favourite dish?
Sander: I love Japanese food
If you were to chose a different profession, what would it be?
Sander: Pilot on a big airplane
What is the biggest intellectual joy for you?
Sander: to read a very suspenseful book (if I have the time).
What gives you the most artistic pleasure?
Sander: the great view from our house on the pastures with the horses in it.
What gives you the most physical pleasure?
Sander: a good meal in a super restaurant
What makes you cry?
Sander: all the useless violence in the world
What annoys you the most?
Sander: People who are dishonest and insincere.
What does heaven look like to you?
Sander: I don't believe in heaven...
And Hell?
Sander: ... and definitely not in hell
What is the most beautiful place you've ever visited?
Sander: The panoramic view in Tulum in Mexico
What is the ugliest place you've ever visited?
Sander: Canary Islands
At what moment were you the happiest in your life?
Sander: When my son was born
When were you the saddest in your life?
Sander: when my super Grand Prix horse Dakota got injured because he got cast in his new stall.
Who would be your favourite one-night stand?
Sander: I really dislike one night stands, so that would never happen to me.