DSHS A5 Boekje 2018_LR

Francie Looke & Hillary Ridland
family’s farm. And look where they are now!
They have their own stable, a horse show,
and they’ve brought their children into the
business. A fairy-tale story in the horse
industry, if you ask me!”
“Gloed just caught my eye”
Last year Hillary and Francie Looke bought
Gloed, the 2017 Dutch Champion in the sixyear-old
division. An atypical purchase, as
Hillary explains: “Normally the horses that
I look for are older, but he just caught my
eye. Francie was with me, and she just
loved him.”
Sometimes a horse that has achieved
impressive results as a youngster does not
meet expectations in the long term. But not
Gloed. Hillary explains: “Gloed doesn’t act
like a young horse: he’s really wise, careful
and has tons of scope. We already knew he
was a really good horse, but he has exceeded
our expectations. I rode him the first half
year, and Francie took over a month ago. The
plan with Gloed is to start him in the 1.30m
and maybe the 1.40m classes next year. He’s
a horse for the higher levels.”
“He just has to grow up”
Gloed’s Dutch champion title will not
remain the highlight of his career; with his
talent, he is destined for many more. In the
short time he has been in Hillary’s hands,
he has performed very well. Hillary: “We
took him to Spruce Meadows to compete
in the 1.35m. That venue can be difficult,
especially for young horses. But he was
clear or double clear every day. He always
wants to win. If you want to go fast, he will
go fast. He’s the kind of horse you don’t
want to practice with too much; he just has
to grow up.”
Interview | DSHS 61