1991-2000
Horse riding lessons at the riding school.
Volunteering at the riding school.
Caring for and training other people's horses.
2000
Ciaran comes into my life, a Mérens gelding and my first horse.
2001-2005
Lessons in natural horsemanship and classical art of riding.
2006
Graduated in Animal Management (Bachelor Honours), with horse welfare as my personal specialty.
2007
Shetland pony Midas joins us, my second horse.
2011
I start with the very first online Straightness Training program by Marijke de Jong.
2012 – 2018
With Ciaran, I participate in many multi-day (instructor) clinics in the Netherlands by Marijke de Jong, plus one by Noora Ehnqvist.
Participated in a special ‘Liberty Lab’ where I was given the opportunity to work with and learn from Marijke’s horses.
I attended many of Marijke's clinics as a spectator in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and England. I also attended clinics by Bent Banderup and Noora Enqvist.
2015
Graduated as a Straightness Training Instructor, Grade 2.
2015-2023
Working as Marijke de Jong's personal assistant. Nearly daily contact with Marijke, sparring about Straightness Training, technical support, organizing and assisting with clinics, and managing employees, instructors, coaches, and mentors.
Giving countless Straightness Training lessons on location. Both private lessons and clinics, in the Netherlands and Belgium.
2020
Joining the new Scholar program of the Straightness Training Academy.
Graduated as Straightness Training Evaluator (evaluating videos) in Grade 1 and 2.
2020-2023
Academy Coach in the Scholar program; providing numerous online ST lessons and (group) coaching sessions via live broadcasts. This allows me to guide and train people and their horses worldwide in Grade 1, 2, and 3.
2022 – 2023
Mentor Instructor for trainee instructors in the Basic ST Instructor Certification Program (BCP). Intensive guidance and coaching on their path to certification.
Giving lessons and coaching to graduated instructors to deepen their skills.
Coaching and guidance of other Mentor Instructors.
I participate in the new Straightness Training Academy Coach program. Here, I'm deepening my knowledge and skills in coaching people.
I teach riding lessons at a riding school for children and people with disabilities, and earn a diploma specifically for teaching this group of riders.
After 22 years together, Ciaran passed away calmly and peacefully. He became 24 years old.
2023-2025
In early December 2023, I contracted COVID-19. This escalated into long-term COVID, bringing everything to a standstill. I could no longer work. It marked the beginning of a profound journey that, while painful, also brought me completely back to myself and my own heart. It gave me even more peace, openness, gentleness, and inner strength.
2026
And now... things are getting better! I'm recovering well and I'm back to work. The same work, but with a different me ❤️
More about me – including random facts and the story behind all these experiences – can be found HERE.