In addition to our regular lessons and performance team lessons, we host all kinds of activities. Some of these are more horse-related, while others are mainly social. Thanks to our committees (groups of members), we always have fun activities to do! Check out the committees’ page to learn more about them or check our calendar to get an impression 🙂
Next to this, we also organise a weekend where horse riding and other horse-related activities are scheduled.
Returning activities
Military Boekelo
We are lucky that one of the biggest international eventing competitions in the world is taking place in Enschede. During this competition, we manage the stopping points and have a first-class view of all the action.
Christmas Pas de Deux
During the last lesson evening before the Christmas holidays, we organise a Pas de Deux competition. We usually have dinner together and then ride a Pas de Deux test (in pairs obviously) for which we choose our cool music and matching outfits.
Easter and Ascension Day rides
During Easter and Ascension Day, a longer outdoor ride is organised. Usually, these are the first outdoor rides of the season!
Hippo Weekend
Every year there is a weekend trip where we go somewhere in the Netherlands (or even Germany or Belgium) to go horse riding. This weekend is full of fun, both on horseback and without horses, and is one of the highlights of the year, better not miss this one out 😉
Club Championship
Every year, Hippo organizes a club championship to conclude the academic year in which all members can participate at their own level. It usually contains three disciplines: dressage, jumping, and skills agility. In order to be eligible for becoming the club champion, you have to compete in two of the three disciplines (with dressage being one of them) and the person with the highest average score will receive eternal glory by having their name added to the Club Championship Cup.
Competitions
City meetings (SO’s)
‘SO’ is the Dutch abbreviation for Student Competitions (Steden Ontmoetingen, or “city meetings”). Many cities have their own student riding association and organise student competitions at their own riding school. This means you ride a horse from the local riding school for the competition—most likely, a horse you don’t know! If you sign up for an SO, you go to another city for a whole weekend and you will compete there at your own level. Dressage as well as jumping competitions are typically offered.
Dressage levels: Ba, Bb, La, Lb and M.
These levels are comparable to the KNHS competitions. Ba is an entry-level for riders who have never competed before or are just starting to ride.
Jumping levels: B and L.
At SO’s there is a suitable level for everyone! During the preliminary round and the semifinal, you will compete at your own level. The final is a level higher.
The SOs are organised by a knock-out system. In this case, two or three riders take turns riding the same horse, with the one who performs the best getting on to the next round. So it is about the best rider, in contrast to the regular competitive sport where it is about the best combination. A drawing lot determines the best combination of horse and rider and new horses are present in each round.
By participating in SOs, you can qualify for the annual Association of Dutch Student Riders Championship (VNSK), the championship for national student riders organised at the end of the academic year. By participating in at least two SOs during the academic year and earning VNSK points, the best three riders per level are selected and they represent their riding school at the VNSK competition. So the more you win, the more VNSK points, and the more likely you are to be selected!
In addition to the competitions, there is always a theme party on Saturday evening. Sometimes you go into town, but usually, the party is in the pub of the riding school—it’s however the hosting organisation has arranged. Around midnight, there will be an announcement about who made it to the semi-finals. After that, there is always a lot of partying! Sleeping places are always provided; you only need to bring an air mattress and sleeping bag.
Throughout the academic year, around eight SOs take place across the country throughout the academic year. The costs of these weekends (for a single start including sleeping and dinner/breakfast/lunch) are usually around €32,50.
Riding school competitions at the Horstlinde (FNRS tests)
Our riding school, the Horstlinde, organizes internalinteral competitions regularlyyon a regular basis following the Dutch KNHS-FRNS system. As a member of Hippo you can participate in these competitions as well!
H-I-P-P-O WINNEN DOEN WE ZO
H-I-P-P-O DRINKEN DOEN WE ZO
If you did not know yet, this is the Hippo yell!! The first one we shout it whenever a Hippo member finishes their competition, and the second one… (I think you can tell 😜)