DSHS Magazine 2017

Katharina OFFEL
Located a stone's throw from Maastricht is the village of Bemelen,
which in October of this year became the homebase of Grand Prix
rider Katharina Offel and her partner Jannicke Naustdal. Their
brand new facility is located just 300 metres from the
village church, which is the heart of Bemelen. Upon
entering their property, an oasis of tranquility
emerges, with a view of the beautiful loam
mountain of Bemelen. Why did Katharina and
Jannicke choose to settle in Limburg?
Photo: Katharina giving kisses to Gerton, bought
at the Dutch Sport Horse Sales in 2016
Jannicke Naustdal puts her horse Pioville (by Koro d’Or) in the solarium after a training session.
We are based here to be in the middle of the action!
In 2015, Katharina began applying for the
permits to build her facility. A dilapidated
cowshed had previously occupied the site.
In order to build a compact, state-of-theart
equestrian complex, everything had to be
leveled. Katharina comments on the project:
“Both the municipality and the province were
very cooperative. Our friends Dorine and Menno
Kaan helped us with the design and to apply for
the permits, without them it would not have been
possible to build this place.” After everything was
demolished, the building was constructed in an
astonishing time of just seven months.
Near Maastricht
Prior to moving to Bemelen, Katharina's business
had been based in Sittard, where she leased stalls
for two years. Before that, she spent 15 years
near Cologne, Germany. When asked about her
reason for relocating to Bemelen, she responds
enthusiastically: “I love Maastricht! It's easy to
ride your bicycle from here to there. It's also ideal
because I always teach a few international pupils
Why Limburg?
who study at the University of Maastricht. That's
why this is the perfect place for me. I feel at home
here.”
Jannicke adds: “The landscape is beautiful and
daily life is relaxed. The people are friendly and
helpful.” Jannicke, the co-owner of the popular
website World of Showjumping, continues: “To
create content for our website, it's important to be
where the action is. Consider competitions as well
as young talented riders who are in training with
the seniors in the profession, for example.”
Logistical Advantages
The logistical advantages that Limburg offers
also played a role in Katharina's decision to
move to Bemelen. Katharina: “You never have to
travel far. Both Equestrian Centre de Peelbergen
(Kronenberg, NED) as well as Sentower Park
(Opglabbeek, BEL) are less than an hour drive.
You can also get to Germany in the same time, so
I can easily visit my family, friends and business
relations who are still in Cologne.” Regarding her
facility's location, Katharina says: “If I had a stable
in Bavaria, for example, no one would ever be in
the neighbourhood by chance and stop by with
clients. The distances are simply too big. In that
respect, this location also helps me.”
Although Katharina doesn't consider herself a
horse dealer, she occasionally has to sell a horse.
“My focus is on showing young talent in the sport.
I like training young horses to the Grand Prix
level, but I also enjoy it when other riders work
further on the foundation I've laid,” she explains.
Consider the horses Hello Sanctos (Scott Brash)
and Lacrimoso (Patrice Delaveau).
Climate
Another advantage of living in Bemelen is the
climate. Katharina on the topic: “Although it's not
that far from Bavaria, it's still warmer here. I can't
remember having an entire week of snow here.
That was certainly different in Bavaria, brrr.”
38 DSHS | The 2017 edition DUTCHSPORTHORSESALES.COM DUTCHSPORTHORSESALES.COM
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