DSHS_Magazine_2022

wife Nadia are locals and had bought, renovated and sold
equestrian properties before. “They already had the permits
and design ready for the property in Egchel and I really felt this
location had the wow-factor.”
meet the locals
'My favourite part of the stable
is the racetrack, you can have
a nice big canter there'
“Massimo and Nadia have been a great help. The property
had the main house, the outdoor arena and a few paddocks,
but that was it. In total it took 1,5 to 2 years to build, and we
were able to move in early April 2021. I would say it is now
completely finished although there are always little things to
tackle. I am very happy with the way it turned out, especially
the big 30x50 indoor arena and the racetrack that takes you
from the outdoor arena all the way round the grass arena. It is
actually my favourite part of the stable. You can have a really
nice canter on the track. I also like the way the stables are
build. They are built in an oval with the boxes on the outside
and the tack rooms and wash stalls in the middle. There are
18 boxes per oval. On one side we keep the mares and on the
other side the geldings and stallions. There are two identical
ovals, both connected to the indoor arena. I have my horses in
one oval and we currently rent one out to Denis Lynch, who has
been a great help to me and my horses as well.”
Family man
Victor admits to being home sick a little sometimes. “I have
a very close-knit family and they are far away. But the new
stable it has allowed me to invite my sister and brother-in-law
to stay and work with me. They help manage the yard and are
working on expanding the breeding program. This area of the
Netherlands is for me and my horses the best place to be. With
so much experienced horse people and lots of shows in the
vicinity I am very glad to have landed here. We could’ve ended
up anywhere, Germany, Belgium, you name it. But we feel at
home now in Holland. The Dutch are friendly, well-organised
and almost everyone speaks English. I am fortunate to have
found this place and to work here with my family every day.”
'Kolivar caught my eye immediately'
Well over two years ago Victor received the Dutch Sport Horse
Sales catalogue. After browsing the pages, he marked then sixyear-old
Kolivar as a favorite. Watching the video of this grey
gelding by Colestus x Plot-Blue the Brazilian rider figured he
would try his luck. “He caught my eye immediately and found
his breeding and hence his potential interesting. He looked like
he’d give a nice ride, so we first went to look at the presentation
which is always the day before the auction. After seeing all
the auction horses, I knew for sure I liked him most. The next
morning, I tried him under the saddle and I was sold.”
Kolivar jumped his first international YH-classes in the spring
of this year. He gradually moved up to 1* and 2* level, winning a
1.30m class last October in Morocco. “In the start of the New Year
I want to slowly begin preparing him for the bigger classes and
have him jump some ranking courses at the end of 2023. I look
forward to developing him to the top level the coming years.”
“His character stood out to me, besides his jumping technique,
scope and easy ride. As a young horse he already had a real
grown-up mentality. He is one of the most gentle horses I’ve
come across in my career. He is easy to handle, brave and gives
a nice ride. As a trader this is a real positive thing, should he
not live up to his potential, he will be easy to sell because of his
relaxed behaviour. Don’t get me wrong, he is still sharp and keeps
an eye out on his surroundings, but I am confident everyone can
ride him. Here at home my fiancée also enjoy riding him.”
DUTCHSPORTHORSESALES.COM
DSHS | The 2022 edition
43