Maarten van der Heijden Resigns as KNHS Secretary General after Tokyo

Dressage

The Netherlands

Maarten van der Heijden, the secretary general of the Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) and a 4* dressage judge, will be resigning from his position at the federation after the 2020 Paralympic Games in September.

Van der Heijden is the KNHS High Performance Director and Secretary General and is responsible for top sport policy, talent development and international affairs within the KNHS.

Dutch Successes over the Years

Maarten was appointed to this position in 2008. In his twelve years on the job, the Dutch dressage riders scored gold and silver at the 2010 WEG, 2012 Olympics, 2014 WEG and 2015 European Championships.

"In the past 12 years we have had the most successful years in the history of our equestrian sport. That is amazing," said Van der Heijden in a press release he issued to announce his forthcoming resignation. "At the same time, you see that moving up and down in successes takes place in all countries. After three years without a team medal, the dressage riders are clearly on their way back, with a beautiful, silver EC team medal in 2019."

Lobbying with the FEI

Maarten was actively involved in the lobbying process with the FEI. This led to the allocation of important events hosted in Holland in 2019, such as the European Dressage and Show Jumping Championships in Rotterdam.

“We have only been able to achieve the successes of recent years by working intensively with riders, coaches, trainers, grooms, owners, sponsors, NOC * NSF, all KNHS employees and all other stakeholders.

A Fresh Wind

Van der Heijden announced his resignation in September now to give the KNHS ample opportunity to find a successor.

Van der Heijden at the 2015 European
Dressage Championships in Aachen

"I would like to broaden my horizons again, still within the equestrian sport, but with more time for family and friends," he explained. "After Tokyo I will focus more on international judging and providing equestrian and organizational advice / consultancy and training / coaching. Moreover, it is good that there is a fresh wind within the KNHS. By announcing my departure now, the KNHS can find a good successor in time."

The 53-year old Van der Heijden became a 3* judge in 2013 and got promoted to 4* level in 2016. He has mainly judged at CDI's in The Netherlands, but in 2019 actively began judging more abroad.

When Eurodressage asked about his concrete plans for consultancy and training in the future, Maarten replied, "this is still far away and not concrete yet. The next half year I'll focus first and foremost on the KNHS and the preparation for the Games."