Marieke van der Putten to Go Independent

Dressage

Dutch Dressage News

The 34-year old Marieke van der Putten has handed in her resignation as an assistant trainer and young horse rider for Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud. The recently A-team listed Grand Prix rider has decided to start her independent business.

"After almost seven fantastic years the time now really has come for a new challenge," Van der Putten announced on her Facebook page.

Stable manager and coach Nicole Werner commented that, "we understand that Marieke moves on. This is how it works in life. She learned a lot, not just about riding, but about running a stable too. She was a very valuable member of the team and of course we will miss her. But we will find a new fresh rider who will get the opportunity to ride great young horses with us and grow, like Marieke did with us."

Van der Putten has been an assistant trainer for Gal/Minderhoud riding horses for various owners. She has trained and competed numerous young stallions at competitions in The Netherlands and abroad.

She made her international show debut aboard the Dutch warmblood stallion Vitalis (by Vivaldi x D-Day) at the 2012 World Young Horse Championships in Verden. The stallion was then owned by Eugene Reesink and Willeke Bos. That same year she also competed Lens Nekeman's Boston STH in Verden. She took three more youngsters to the World Championships: Che de Jeu, El Capone and Four Legends. Most recently she won the KWPN stallion Competition on the Glock owned Toto Jr and Trafalgar.

"It is now time for Marieke to take the next step," Werner expmained. "The decision to part ways was made collectively and consensually."

Van der Putten recently has been A-team listed with Grand Prix horse Ambria. She is also competing Grand Prix horses Zingaro Apple. She will leave the yard in Oosterbeek as soon as a substitute rider has been found.