In a week and a half you can see the possible future world champions in equestrian sports in Veeningen for eight days. This morning at 8.30 am the first horses came into action during CH De Wolden. The 17th edition of the concours hippique is from 12 to 16 July and from 20 to 23 July.
Fred Lubbers of the organization proudly says that 300 participants with a total of about 600 horses are coming to Veeningen. “And they come from all over the world, from Asia, Brazil, Sweden, you name it. And of course also from the Netherlands.”
The international competitions mainly revolve around young horses, explains Lubbers. “The participants mainly come here with their young horses to get the animals used to a major competition in this way. This is where the future top athletes will be walking around who you may see in a few years’ time at the Olympic Games. We have seen that happen before .”
Earlier this year, the organization was still before the court. Local residents went to court because a permit from the municipality of De Wolden left open the possibility for other activities on the grounds of the competition. The court eventually ruled that the site in Veeningen may only be used for equestrian sports.
Fred Lubbers: “That means no extensive peripheral activities, we have to cut down on parties with music, among other things.” The organization does not expect this to have a negative effect on visitor numbers. “No, we are again assuming 10,000 visitors over the four weekend days. But now that we cannot do the peripheral activities, it will take a little longer to recover the costs. In recent years, considerable investments have been made in the competition area” Lubbers said.
These days are also important for CH De Wolden to put the event on the map at the KNHS equestrian sports association. The organization hopes to bring the NK Jumping to Veeningen in 2025. “If you now have all the dots back on the i and let everything run smoothly, the union will also say much faster that Veeningen is ripe for a major tournament.”
Fred Lubbers hopes that the equestrian sports association will give it a blow next year.