Mick van der Kort is a nineteen-year-old international dressage rider from the Netherlands. His horses are based in Lisserbroek, at Sportstal Dijckhoeve (near Schiphol and the bulbfields).
Who are your horses and what are you working on with them?
My number one competition horse is Mambo. Together with Mambo I do international competitions at Young Rider level. I also start Prix St Georges with him on national level. Mambo is a 14-year-old black gelding from Sir Donnerhall 2 x Lanciano, BWP studbook. With Mambo I specifically train on self-carriage and strength
My second, upcoming horse is Neal, an 8-year-old Hermes x Cabochon (kwpn) brown gelding. I have been riding Neal for one year now and we are really making big progress. He was a little naughty when I started riding him, but now he behaves more and we are competing at Z2 level. He has hardly any experience in doing competitions so now he is learning a lot. With Neal I train on general education, it would be lovely to compete with him on u25 level, so with him it’s also self-carriage, strength and obedience
The third horse I ride is my mum’s horse. Napoleon is a 16-years old black gelding bred Fruhling x Man in the Moon. (NRPS) He is our professor; he teaches other horses to behave well and tells them they don’t have to be scared of anything. He is really valuable for us as well as for our horses and horses of clients of mine.
How did horses come into your life?
When I was a four-year-old kid, I suddenly asked my parents for a pony. My mum said “what do you want? A pony? For what?” (My mum did not have horses since I was born, so the question came as a little kind of a surprise). My answer was “just riding a little bit”. And there was Binky. After Binky I rode several ponies. I educated them all myself and got them to the highest level.
Who have been your biggest mentors and who do you currently train with?
My biggest mentors have been my coaches, especially Patrick van der Meer, national coach of the senior team of Holland. I have trained with him for four years, so he knows me and my horse very well.
What do you love about dressage?
What I love about dressage? To feel that special bond with your horse, to train harder, become better together, and ride at the biggest competitions international.
Proudest dressage achievements to date?
First Place at CDI Sint Truiden, Belgium and 4th place indoor Friesland in the Netherlands
Dressage can come with challenges and difficulties, what have been yours?
My difficulties have been with Mambo my young rider’s horse, in that he reared a lot.
How do you build a good relationship with a horse?
In my opinion, you have to listen to your horse, if he says something, there might be something wrong with him, so respect his behaviour and try to look through his eyes.
What have horses taught you?
To always listen to them, and if you give them respect and leadership, they will do everything for you.
Your future goals and aspirations?
My future goals are, to start my own stable, and to create my own trading and schooling stable for horses and teaching people how to ride correctly.
Your Top Tip
My top tip is, to stay close to who you are and how you ride, keep the fun with riding on top for you and your horse
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Take a step back so you can take two forward.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
My support team is my parents, farrier, vet, trainer and last but not least, my sponsors