Equestrian sport – She already won an international endurance competition in 2021, rode in Dubai a few weeks ago and soon the only 14-year-old Puck Kromkamp from Hooghalen hopes to qualify for the European Endurance Championship in Barcelona.
“I didn’t expect it to go so quickly,” Puck’s mother, Lara Quist, immediately admits. Her daughter has been doing endurance for several years and Puck’s talent is great.
Horse welfare
In endurance riding, the horse and rider cover long distances of up to 120 kilometers. “In between, the horse is checked carefully to see if it is ready to go again,” explains Puck. “The well-being of the horse is very important.”
The team around Puck provides enough moisture and feed for the horse. How does Puck get so good at such a young age? “Her father is a hard trotter and I deal with saddles and biomechanics,” explains Quist. Puck himself: “I don’t give up easily, I feel the horse well and I like a bit of spice.”
Last year she won a big competition in Belgium as a 13-year-old. “Her first time internationally,” said Quist. “That made her stand out to the national coach.”
Invitation from Arabs
In the summer in the Ardennes with all the other great endurance talents. Last month, Puck suddenly boarded a plane to Dubai. “I drove a 120-kilometer race in the desert there,” the teenager beams. At the invitation of the fanatical Arabs. “Bizarre! Every horse girl’s dream”, says training buddy Erin Bouwman.
Quist: “She still has one long race to finish and then has shown form retention.” Then the European Endurance Championship awaits. “In September in a town near Barcelona. I don’t want to ride there just for show”, Puck is ambitious.