Gerard Horst
Growing up on a farm, Gerard Horst (1953) was introduced to equestrian sports from an early age. At the age of 6 he already had his first pony, a Welsh pony. In the late 1980’s, inspired by Udo de Haan, he started driving. In the 1990’s, fascinated by the Hackney, he became involved in the harness sport. In 2017, an unfortunate confluence of complications after surgery, left him with a spinal cord injury. This seemed to put an end to his equestrian hobby. But the blood runs where it cannot go ! After a long rehabilitation he looked for possibilities to start driving again. And so true, he succeeded with the help of a groom/trainer and by roommates as far as the care of the ponies was concerned.
After a classification as a para-driver, the Covid pandemic threw a spanner in the works, in 2022 Gerard Horst started driving again in dressage and cones competitions, and in 2023 also in combined driving competitions. At the end of 2023, he was included in the B-cadre para-driving of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS).
Lynley Benneker
Lynley Benneker (1999). When she was young and her parents had Haflingers, Lynley had no interest in horses. At an age of 11, she was reintroduced to horses through a friend. Then she was infected with the horse virus after all. Then she started riding at an equestrian center. In 2015, she got a pair Friesians as care horses. At that stable, Lynley learned a lot and eventually rode several horses. When the horses there were sold in 2018, she acquired an e-pony she had saddled herself, named Saffier. She still rides Saffier recreationally under saddle.
In the summer of 2024 she came in contact with driving team De Heemhoeve. Meanwhile she drives and trains the driving ponies and also helps at the driving competitions. Soon she will be taking the reins herself at driving competitions.
Saskia Croes
Saskia Croes (1964) is the wife of Gerard Horst. Originally she had absolutely no experience with horses/animals. Meanwhile and with the growing up of the children (of course all pony ridden) and the support of Gerard she gained a lot of knowledge and experience. The moment Gerard became wheelchair-dependent, she took on the daily care of the ponies, including breeding Hackneys on a small scale.
Gerard and Saskia together manage the "animal mess" at "De Heemhoeve".
Charlotte Croes
Charlotte Croes (2003) and "daughter of" has ridden under saddle from a young age and also helps and rides in the harness sport. She has her own (three) Hackneys, with which she breeds and drivdes. She also contributes her bit to the care of the animals at "De Heemhoeve" stable.