The equestrian clubs in the municipality of De Wolden are having a hard time this winter, because there is no longer any room to practice indoors. And that causes less income and a decline in members.
Seven equestrian clubs could previously go to the indoor accommodations of Manege Den Esch in Zuidwolde and Manege Zuidwolde in Veeningen, but both are no longer an option. Den Esch is for sale and the hall in Veeningen has been rejected.
This winter the riders are temporarily housed at riding schools in Beilen and Staphorst. “But that is not a structural solution,” says Maaike Buning, spokesperson for the clubs and member of the Ceres riding association. “Without our own location, we cannot organize competitions and therefore cannot fill the cash register.”
The problems cause a lot of headaches for Buning and her colleagues. Together the associations had about five hundred members, but that number has fallen by fifty, says Buning. “If we can no longer organize indoor competitions, I think that number will drop even more.”
The clubs would prefer to be able to continue practicing in De Wolden during the winter. “Going to Beilen or Staphorst every time is of course no longer an option in the long run,” says the rider. But buying or building your own riding school seems out of the question at the moment because of the high prices.
The problems have been going on for some time now. Last summer, the associations sent a letter to the municipal council and the council to express their concerns. “Particularly because De Wolden profiles itself as the equestrian municipality of the Netherlands,” Buning explains.
Alderman Egbert van Dijk, who now works as a deputy (BBB) in the province of Drenthe, said at the time that he wanted to contribute ideas. For example, by working with the clubs to find suitable land for the construction of a new indoor hall. That also costs too much money for the clubs.
De Wolden is not investing money in the construction of a new hall, says a spokesperson for the municipality. “There is someone who is close to the file and tries to think along as much as possible. Discussions will soon be held with all parties involved.”
If no solution is found, Buning fears that the clubs will become ‘paper associations’. “The national association states that you must be a member of an association to participate in competitions. A paper association is an association that you are a member of purely because of the administration. There is no association feeling.”
And according to the rider, that is precisely what is important. “The sense of community is important to us. Coming together for lessons, practice, club days and competitions. It’s all part of it.”
The associations will soon meet again with the municipality. “Hopefully we can find a solution together. If not, I am gloomy for next winter, but we continue to think positively at the moment.”