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

De Margaretha Hoeve boasts a history spanning more than 240 years, originating with 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. During this period, they were 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.” Another pony, Jitske, was purchased for their daughter Annemiek, who trained the pony to M-level in show jumping. Annemiek’s brother, Marius, also achieved success with Jitske.

In 1990, fifteen stables were added during the renovation of the barn, marking the first step towards establishing a full-fledged equestrian business. Three years later, in 1993, a new breeding facility was built, 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, investing in both dressage and show jumping horses. 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 acquired by Eric Berkhof, who expanded the business in line with 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, Eric quickly made his mark in the world of equestrian sports.

Alongside his successful career as an entrepreneur and owner of the Van Mossel Automotive Group, specialising in Volkswagen and Audi, Eric decided to return to the equestrian world in 1991. He purchased his first horse, Vento, and worked with rider Alwin Duiven to bring it to Z-level. Later, Eric collaborated with the Willemsz-Geeroms family, but in 1998, they parted ways, and Eric continued on his own. That same year, he began a collaboration with Eric van der Vleuten, whose influence greatly shaped the company's development and 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. That year, he decided to trade this location for De Margaretha Hoeve in Dinteloord. From that point onwards, Eric Berkhof further developed the breeding programme and invested in promising young horses. He worked closely with talented riders, including Vincent Voorn, and together they achieved significant 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 lead rider. With his experience and talent, Ivo 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 gained prominence 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 established a strong reputation not only in breeding but also in equestrian sport. The rider team has always played a pivotal role in the stables’ success.

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

In 2022, Kim Emmen joined De Margaretha Hoeve’s team. With her exceptional talent and dedication, she quickly demonstrated her worth and rose to prominence as one of the stable’s top riders.

In 2024, Kim achieved a career milestone by competing in the Paris Olympics. Riding her horse, Imagine, she secured an impressive fourth place, a performance that earned her global recognition and underscored the exceptional quality of De Margaretha Hoeve’s horses. Her journey has been one of inspiring growth and remarkable success.

Other prominent riders, such as Filippa Ibsen, are also part of the team and ride the young, talented horses from the stable. Filippa has already made her mark and is seen as an important figure 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 enhancement of its breeding programme. Eric Berkhof has forged 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 profound contribution to De Margaretha Hoeve through his dedication and expertise. His extensive knowledge of breeding and his active involvement in the sport left a lasting impact. The horses he bred and his collaboration with Eric Berkhof stand as 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, collaborators, and specialists. In addition to René Viscaal, individuals such as Cees van de Oetelaar, Frans van de Pas, and partners including Eric Willemsz Geeroms and Eric van der Vleuten have played crucial roles in the stable’s success. Their shared commitment to quality and innovation has firmly established De Margaretha Hoeve as a major figure in the equestrian world. The contributions of these esteemed partners remain a continual 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