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De Margaretha Hoeve: From the Van der Vorm Family to the Berkhof Family

De Margaretha Hoeve boasts a history spanning over 240 years, rooted in its establishment by the Van Tilburg family in West Brabant. The estate was built on land reclaimed from the Nijen Aanwas of Nassau, a historically significant polder region in the area. Its rich heritage can be divided into two pivotal eras: the period under the Van der Vorm family and the era of its current owner, Eric Berkhof. Since acquiring the estate in 2005, Berkhof has transformed De Margaretha Hoeve into what it is today—a renowned institution in the Netherlands and beyond.

De Margaretha Hoeve under the Van der Vorm Family (1989–2005)

The Van der Vorm family first became involved with De Margaretha Hoeve in 1989, when the estate was severely damaged by a storm. The family purchased the property and meticulously restored it to its former glory. It was during this time that they were first introduced to the equestrian world through the acquisition of a pony, Femke, from a close friend, Henk Bolluyt. Although Femke was sold a few years later, the family quickly became captivated by the “horse virus.” Pony Jitske was purchased for their daughter Annemiek, who trained the pony to the M-level in show jumping. Annemiek’s brother, Marius, also enjoyed success with the pony.

In 1990, fifteen stables were added during the renovation of the barn, marking the first step towards establishing a full-fledged equine business. Three years later, in 1993, a new breeding facility was built, which was considered the most modern in the Netherlands at the time. The facility soon housed 175 horses, primarily show jumpers. A partnership with Henk Bolluyt was also formed to focus on dressage horses under the name “Bollvorm,” which played a significant role in developing talented riders and horses.

In the years that followed, the Van der Vorm family continued to expand the business. They invested in both dressage and show jumping horses, and many riders, including Roelof Bril, Ben Schröder, and Leida Strijk, benefited from the horses made available to them. One of the most famous horses was the stallion Optical, who later achieved success under Piet Raymakers. The Van der Vorm family not only contributed to the sport but also to the breeding of exceptional show jumpers.

De Margaretha Hoeve under the Berkhof Family (2005–Present)

In 2005, De Margaretha Hoeve was taken over by Eric Berkhof, who continued to expand the business according to his own vision. Coming from a horse-loving family, Eric had caught the equestrian “bug” at a young age, largely thanks to his father, Drik Berkhof. As an owner, breeder, and dealer, he quickly made his mark in the world of equestrian sports.

In addition to his successful career as an entrepreneur and owner of Van Mossel Automotive Group, focusing on Volkswagen and Audi, Eric decided to return to the world of horses in 1991. He bought his first horse, Vento, which he worked with rider Alwin Duiven to bring up to the Z-level. Later, Eric collaborated with the Willemsz-Geeroms family, but in 1998, they parted ways, and Eric continued on his own path. That same year, he began a collaboration with Eric van der Vleuten, whose influence greatly shaped the development of the company and its sporting success.

At the end of the 2000s, Eric acquired ‘Stal de Nedervenen’ on the other side of his hometown, Sprang-Capelle, where he trained young horses until 2005. In that year, he decided to trade this location for De Margaretha Hoeve in Dinteloord. From that point forward, Eric Berkhof began further developing the breeding program and purchasing promising young horses. He worked closely with talented riders, including Vincent Voorn, and together, they enjoyed great success under the name “Audi Team,” including winning team gold at the European Championships in Mannheim in 2007. The collaboration with Vincent Voorn lasted until 2013, when Ivo Biessen became the first rider to take over. With his experience and talent, Ivo has contributed to De Margaretha Hoeve’s successes in both national and international competitions.

Kim Emmen succeeded Ivo Biessen and is now a key rider in the De Margaretha Hoeve team. With her talent and dedication, Kim quickly made a name for herself in the equestrian world. In 2024, she reached a career milestone by securing fourth place at the Paris Olympic Games with her horse, Imagine. This achievement brought her global recognition and highlighted the exceptional quality of the horses bred and trained at De Margaretha Hoeve.

Important Riders and Successes

Under the leadership of Eric Berkhof, De Margaretha Hoeve has not only built a strong reputation in breeding but also in the equestrian sport. The rider team has always played a crucial role in the success of the stables.

Vincent Voorn was one of the first top riders to collaborate with Eric Berkhof and played a significant role in De Margaretha Hoeve’s success. His achievements with the Audi horses, including winning team gold at the European Championships in Mannheim in 2007, put the team on the international map. After his departure in 2013, Ivo Biessen took over as the rider at De Margaretha Hoeve. With his talent and experience, Ivo proved to be a valuable addition to the team.

In 2022, Kim Emmen joined De Margaretha Hoeve’s team. With her talent and dedication, she quickly proved her worth and became one of the top riders in the stable.

In 2024, Kim reached an absolute career high by competing in the Paris Olympics. With her horse, Imagine, she achieved an impressive fourth place, a performance that brought her global recognition and further emphasized the quality of De Margaretha Hoeve horses. Her journey has been one of inspiring growth and success.

Other prominent riders, such as Mart IJland and Filippa Ibsen, are also part of the rider team, riding the young, talented horses from the stable. They have already earned their place and are seen as important figures for the future of De Margaretha Hoeve.

Future and collaborations

De Margaretha Hoeve continues to evolve through collaborations with breeders and equine specialists who contribute to the ongoing improvement of its breeding program. Eric Berkhof has built long-lasting and successful partnerships with individuals such as Cees van de Oetelaar, Frans van de Pas, and René Viscaal. Each of these collaborations has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the stable.

René Viscaal, who sadly passed away in January 2023, made a significant contribution to De Margaretha Hoeve with his dedication and expertise. His knowledge in breeding and his involvement in the sport left a lasting impact. The horses he bred and his collaboration with Eric Berkhof represent a tangible legacy that continues to thrive.

The strong reputation of De Margaretha Hoeve has been built on a solid foundation of partnerships with breeders, partners, and specialists. In addition to René Viscaal, figures like Cees van de Oetelaar, Frans van de Pas, and partners such as Eric Willemsz Geeroms and Eric van der Vleuten have played crucial roles in the success of the stable. Their shared commitment to quality and innovation has established De Margaretha Hoeve as a major player in the equestrian world. The contributions of all these partners remain a source of inspiration for the future.

“The foundations upon which De Margaretha Hoeve is built have been laid by many valuable collaborations with breeders, partners, and specialists.”

Eric Berkhof - CEO Van Mossel Automotive Group