Experience —
08 October 2025
A unique feeding strategy with Voermeesters at riding school De Schimmelkroft
Riding school De Schimmelkroft in Heemskerk is now in the hands of two enthusiastic new owners: 26-year-old Mandy Klooster and her partner Martin Huitema (28). The riding school has been a Voermeesters customer from the very beginning and follows a unique feeding strategy that keeps their horses performing at their best.
“I’ve been coming here for 20 years,” says the newly appointed owner. A quick calculation reveals she first set foot on the property at just six years old. Over the past four years, she worked as the stable manager before officially taking over the business with her partner on July 1, 2022. It was a bold move in challenging times for horse owners, yet the couple remains optimistic about the future. Their motto: “If you do something, do it right.” Since last summer, they’ve gone all in to make it a success.
Day-to-day life at De Schimmelkroft
What does daily life at De Schimmelkroft look like? “We have 65 horses and ponies, twelve of which are boarders, the rest are used for riding lessons. Riding lessons are our main activity, especially for children. The demand is incredible; we always have a long waiting list,” Mandy explains. In addition, Mandy is focusing more on the buying and selling of horses and ponies. “That’s something I really enjoy doing. It also adds variety to our team’s work, as they help with training the young horses.”
Active in equestrian sport
Both Mandy and Martin are active in dressage and driving. “Besides that, I give a lot of lessons and take care of all the management and administration. I also lead our team of instructors and, of course, handle the sales of horses and ponies through my own business, MK Ponies.” Her partner is responsible for stable management and, as a former landscaper, also takes care of the property and grounds maintenance. “We have a team of twelve people, mainly involved in teaching lessons, helping in the stables, and running the canteen.”
Focus on animal welfare
According to Robert van den Berg, advisor at Voermeesters, Mandy and Martin show great importance on animal welfare. “I’ve been involved with this riding school for 25 years,” he says. “They do a lot for their horses and make sure the animals can spend plenty of time outdoors every day, they’re really good at that. They also pay close attention to the horses’ digestion and metabolism, and tailor their feeding accordingly.”
Tailored feed
Voermeesters offers a high-quality pellet feed that stands out thanks to a unique production process. Robert explains: “De Schimmelkroft played an important role in the development of this feed.” What makes it special is that the formula is adjusted for them every year.
Mandy adds: “Each year we have our forage analysed, and any nutritional deficiencies are compensated for in the pellets. It’s a pure, high-quality feed, and the horses do incredibly well on it. They’re fit, their coats shine beautifully, and they’re in great condition. Because the feed is so nutrient-dense, they only need half a scoop where a standard feed would require two, which actually makes it more economical in the end.”
Love for the horse
Does Mandy have a favourite horse herself? “Yes! That’s Walt, a 19-year-old show jumper. Around here, he’s known as ‘lazy rather than tired’. He also takes part in lessons for children with physical or intellectual disabilities. I can read him like a book, we have a very special bond.”
When asked what she loves most about her work, Mandy doesn’t hesitate. “The connection between humans and horses, and especially between children and ponies. We also work with the Youth Sports Fund, which helps parents with limited financial means. Thanks to this, their children can still take riding lessons. For that one hour a week, they truly light up. That’s what it’s all about for us.”