Sixteen-year-old Annabell de Bock has been training at Dressage Stable Van Baalen since her pony days. In her first year as a junior, she became Dutch Champion with her horse Ostilio and won a bronze team medal at the European Championships. Her goal is to qualify once again for a major championship.
The ambitious Charline Chen trains with her horse, Lady Di DVB, at Dressage Stable Van Baalen, where she takes lessons several times a week. She also competes with DVB’s two four-year-old D-class ponies. She competes at the recreational level but approaches the sport professionally.
Divyakriti, from India, has been training with Coby for several years with her three horses. Divya is a very passionate rider who currently competes internationally at the Small Tour level and won a silver team medal at the 2025 Asian Championships with her horse Improver.
Daphne van Peperstraten has been riding at Dressage Stable Van Baalen since she was a young girl. She began her training with Marlies and won many medals during her junior years. She has since become a Grand Prix rider and trains weekly with Coby.
Emma Urrutia, from England, moved to the Netherlands in 2024 to pursue her studies. She and her horse Kane have been based at DVB ever since. Emma trains with Marlies and competes at the Young Riders level.
Junseo OH from South Korea has been training at DVB with his horse Francis for several months now. This always cheerful rider is very passionate and hopes to compete with Francis in the Asian Games next year.
As a young pony rider, Shanna joined DVB to train, with the goal of making the national team and competing in the European Championships. Through DVB, she was introduced to the ponies Wonderful Girl and Don Camillo du Bois, and later also to the mare Farzana, among others. She achieved her European Championship goal, and her focus is now on the U25 competition.
Riding in the Juniors is the goal of schoolgirl Tooske van der Ven. Her horse Hastrade K is stabled at Dressuurstal Van Baalen and she trains with her with Marlies. Tooske lives a stone’s throw from DVB.
Dressage stable Van Baalen trains talent to the top! Everything starts with a dream. These combinations made that dream come true and were coached to an individual European gold medal by Coby or Marlies.
Delphine Meiresonne – Ponies
, Hartpury, 1999 (1 individual gold medal)
Marlies van Baalen – Junior
, Hickstead 1998 (1 individual gold medal)
Antoinette te Riele – Ponies
, Moorsele, 2009 (2 individual gold medals)
Sanne Vos – Ponies
, Fontainebleau 2012 (1 individual gold medal)
Daphne van Peperstraten – Juniors
Budapest 2020 (1 individual gold medal)
Fontainebleau 2018 (2 individual gold medals)
Ermelo 2017 (1 individual gold medal)
Para-dressage rider Glasten Krapels trained at Dressuurstal Van Baalen with Marrigje van Baalen, later with Debora Pijpers and now the always positive Glasten has been riding with Coby for several years. At his 17e he already rode his first EC Para-dressage at the seniors. Being sent to a major championship once again is his goal.
“At Dressage Stable Van Baalen we are a team, everyone works together. Not only the riding is important, but also the whole management around it. You keep working to improve yourself every time. With Windhook I was in the selection of the last eight riders for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Without the help of Coby and the owners of Windhook, the family of Thill, that would not have been possible.”
Ambitious sisters Claudine and Fleur Timmermans stand with their horses at Dressage Stable Van Baalen, where they receive lessons several times a week. They ride in the basic sport, but take a professional approach to their sport.
“We were looking for a place where we could stand with our horses, but above all where we would get good guidance to advance in the sport. We learn a lot about our own attitude and that of the horse. Every week we learn something new, it’s very fun and educational. Every day we go there with pleasure. And if you have a problem, everyone wants to help you.”
With her two ponies Wert’s Snowflake and First Hummer, high school senior Isabella Karajkovic trains with Coby. She rides internationally in the Children and ponies. Sanne Beijerman supports Isabella with mental training.
“Coby is very disciplined and critical, I learn a lot from that. She is really my example and always trains with a lot of respect for the horses and ponies. The trainings are very nice, but I also learn a lot about management. Sanne Beijerman also helps me a lot, so I can make everything more positive for myself and get less nervous. I want to learn to ride faultless international tests. I do everything for that, but I also have to leave a lot behind.”
Noor van den Biggelaar does not come from a horse family, yet she wants to advance in equestrian sports. Her neighbor recommended her Dressuurstal Van Baalen and together with Marlies she trains towards the Children.
“Marlies told me that to come and train at DVB it doesn’t matter what level you ride at. When I look around at DVB, I get really inspired to ride competitions and train seriously. I train regularly with Marcella to improve my balance and coordination and I like to go to Saskia Heijkants’ riding lessons. When things get tough I always think: nothing is easy until it’s been hard first.”
Romy Schravemade knocked on DVB’s door after not riding a pony for a few years, but wanting to get back into it. Together with DVB she started looking for a good pony and Don Camillo Du Bois came on her path. In addition, she now has the young pony Heitholms Li Lou.
“Don Camillo is really the perfect teacher for me. I train with him together with Coby and Marlies. To get further in the sport is my dream, like riding a European Championship. At DVB I not only learn to ride, but I can also develop myself. We have been doing a lot of seat lessons to develop a good posture and seat. I feel very much at home at Dressage Stable van Baalen.”
In daily life, Nicole van Noord studies Office Management in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Through DVB Matchmaker, she came to Coby and Marlies’ barn and found the lovely mare Imagine, whom she now competes at ZZ Zwaar level.
“When I am too busy with my studies Imagine is finely trained on DVB, this connects very well. I was always inspired by DVB and am happy to train there so much now!“
As a pony girl, Shanna joined DVB to train, with a framework shot and EK riding as her ambition. Through DVB, the ponies Wonderful Girl and Don Camillo du Bois came her way and later the mare Farzana, among others. Her EK goal was achieved and now the focus is on moving up to the U25.
“At DVB I get full guidance in all areas, which has made a world of difference. I learned to become more disciplined to put my focus on the right things. Coby made me aware that choosing top sport also means that sometimes you have to cancel pleasant things. What we have invested in the past few years, even at times when things have not been easy, starts now falling into place.”
Riding in the Juniors is the goal of schoolgirl Tooske van der Ven. Her horse Hastrade K is stabled at Dressuurstal van Baalen and she trains with him with Marlies. Tooske lives a stone’s throw from DVB.
“Actually everything you need to learn to ride well, I learn here at the stable. Not only the riding itself, but also in dealing with my horse, handling competitions and planning. Because it’s not just about the riding itself. I have lessons twice a week, but when I’m riding for myself there is always someone watching me. That’s really nice.”
Para-dressage rider Glasten Krapels trained at Dressuurstal Van Baalen with Marrigje van Baalen, later with Debora Pijpers and now the always positive Glasten has been riding with Coby for several years. At his 17e he already rode his first EC Para-dressage at the seniors. Being sent to a major championship once again is his goal.
“At Dressage Stable Van Baalen we are a team, everyone works together. Not only the riding is important, but also the whole management around it. You keep working to improve yourself every time. With Windhook I was in the selection of the last eight riders for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Without the help of Coby and the owners of Windhook, the family of Thill, that would not have been possible.”
Ambitious sisters Claudine and Fleur Timmermans stand with their horses at Dressage Stable Van Baalen, where they receive lessons several times a week. They ride in the basic sport, but take a professional approach to their sport.
“We were looking for a place where we could stand with our horses, but above all where we would get good guidance to advance in the sport. We learn a lot about our own attitude and that of the horse. Every week we learn something new, it’s very fun and educational. Every day we go there with pleasure. And if you have a problem, everyone wants to help you.”
With her two ponies Wert’s Snowflake and First Hummer, high school senior Isabella Karajkovic trains with Coby. She rides internationally in the Children and ponies. Sanne Beijerman supports Isabella with mental training.
“Coby is very disciplined and critical, I learn a lot from that. She is really my example and always trains with a lot of respect for the horses and ponies. The trainings are very nice, but I also learn a lot about management. Sanne Beijerman also helps me a lot, so I can make everything more positive for myself and get less nervous. I want to learn to ride faultless international tests. I do everything for that, but I also have to leave a lot behind.”
Noor van den Biggelaar does not come from a horse family, yet she wants to advance in equestrian sports. Her neighbor recommended her Dressuurstal Van Baalen and together with Marlies she trains towards the Children.
“Marlies told me that to come and train at DVB it doesn’t matter what level you ride at. When I look around at DVB, I get really inspired to ride competitions and train seriously. I train regularly with Marcella to improve my balance and coordination and I like to go to Saskia Heijkants’ riding lessons. When things get tough I always think: nothing is easy until it’s been hard first.”
Romy Schravemade knocked on DVB’s door after not riding a pony for a few years, but wanting to get back into it. Together with DVB she started looking for a good pony and Don Camillo Du Bois came on her path. In addition, she now has the young pony Heitholms Li Lou.
“Don Camillo is really the perfect teacher for me. I train with him together with Coby and Marlies. To get further in the sport is my dream, like riding a European Championship. At DVB I not only learn to ride, but I can also develop myself. We have been doing a lot of seat lessons to develop a good posture and seat. I feel very much at home at Dressage Stable van Baalen.”
In daily life, Nicole van Noord studies Office Management in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Through DVB Matchmaker, she came to Coby and Marlies’ barn and found the lovely mare Imagine, whom she now competes at ZZ Zwaar level.
“When I am too busy with my studies Imagine is finely trained on DVB, this connects very well. I was always inspired by DVB and am happy to train there so much now!“
As a pony girl, Shanna joined DVB to train, with a framework shot and EK riding as her ambition. Through DVB, the ponies Wonderful Girl and Don Camillo du Bois came her way and later the mare Farzana, among others. Her EK goal was achieved and now the focus is on moving up to the U25.
“At DVB I get full guidance in all areas, which has made a world of difference. I learned to become more disciplined to put my focus on the right things. Coby made me aware that choosing top sport also means that sometimes you have to cancel pleasant things. What we have invested in the past few years, even at times when things have not been easy, starts now falling into place.”
Riding in the Juniors is the goal of schoolgirl Tooske van der Ven. Her horse Hastrade K is stabled at Dressuurstal van Baalen and she trains with him with Marlies. Tooske lives a stone’s throw from DVB.
“Actually everything you need to learn to ride well, I learn here at the stable. Not only the riding itself, but also in dealing with my horse, handling competitions and planning. Because it’s not just about the riding itself. I have lessons twice a week, but when I’m riding for myself there is always someone watching me. That’s really nice.”