Two years ago, no one had heard of Cayenne Stables, but suddenly they are everywhere; in sports results and especially on social media. With a positive and slightly different tone, they manage to stand out in the current Friesian horse landscape. But who are Cayenne Stables, and what is their goal? A visit to Aalsmeer makes everything clear to us.
A cake consisting of three ingredients; this is how Dave van Duivenbode describes the composition of Cayenne Stables. Together with his wife Jennifer, he started the Friesian horse trading stable two years ago after being surrounded by the black gold for years. “Jennifer has loved horses all her life and has had them for just as long. We have been married for 15 years now, so I have also had horses in my life for 15 years. And horses kept coming, so at some point, my entrepreneurial spirit suggested that we might be able to make money from it.” Both Jennifer and Dave have fallen in love with the Friesian horse with its beautiful appearance and wonderful character, so the choice of breed was quickly made. “Cayenne was my first Friesian mare, 28 years ago,” Jennifer says lovingly. “She was truly a wonderful mare, so it was only logical that our Friesian horse business was named after her.” With two IT companies and a private stable full of different horse breeds, Dave and Jennifer had to find their way in the Friesian horse world two years ago. They enthusiastically dove into the new adventure and are not afraid to ask for help. “We have truly chosen the Friesian horses with our hearts and are fully committed to them.”
Warmbloods and Friesians
In the beginning, there was some quick trading, but now the focus is fully on the development of sport horses. To this end, Dave and Jennifer have attracted a fine rider in the person of Zoë Kuintjes. Zoë has a lot of experience in dressage riding at the highest international level, but she didn’t have much experience riding Friesian horses. “Honestly, a few years ago, a Friesian wouldn’t have been the first horse I would have chosen,” laughs Zoë. “There is still quite a big difference between recreational Friesians and sport Friesians. But I’m very enthusiastic about the Friesian horses I ride now, and in my opinion, they are definitely not inferior to warmblood horses.” Zoë started as a trainer of Jennifer’s private horses alongside her work at Stal Brouwer, but with Gertsen fan de Meren-State (Jurre 495 x Fabe 348), the rider from Aalsmeer got her first serious Friesian sport horse under the saddle. Cayenne Stables does not have its own location and therefore rents a few boxes at Horse Paradise Stables in Aalsmeer, where Zoë was already a client with her own horses, and now the stables are full of Friesian stallions of different ages.
Talent for Talent
When asked what Cayenne Stables likes to see in a Friesian horse, the answer is very clear; a cooperative and friendly character. Looks and appearance also play a role. “With a Friesian, it’s the overall picture that makes them special,” Jennifer believes. “That combination of build, movement, and character.” Dave adds, “A Friesian horse is really a class apart in terms of appearance. Since I am not (yet) a specialist, I mainly look with emotion, and the Friesian horse really evokes something special in me. We always choose with our hearts for the Friesian horse.” Jennifer is the one with a talent for finding the right horses for their goals, according to Dave. “Although we initially bought horses from large trading stables, we have now established direct contact with breeders, which gives us excellent horses. We are still sometimes surprised at the quality we manage to find.” However, it is also good that Dave is involved, Jennifer says with a laugh, because “I want to keep them all. I can’t sell anything myself.”
A Class Apart
The interaction between Jennifer, Dave, and Zoë works well because everyone has their own tasks and roles within the team. While Jennifer selects the horses initially, Zoë feels in the work whether the horse will indeed meet the wishes and expectations. “I find a good walk very important, and there must be some natural talent in the horse. I need to feel something when I walk.” Dave looks at it with a commercial eye and ensures the necessary online marketing for each horse. A horse that will certainly stay in Aalsmeer for a while is Oege v.d. Arebo Hoeve Ster (Yme 507 x Beart 411). “Oege is really a class apart,” says Zoë. “Not only does he have three good gaits, but he also has a great character. He recently had a week’s vacation, and I could just get on and ride away afterward.” The four-year-old stallion participated in the test rides last year and will present himself again this June during the rerun. “We really see a horse that has developed, and we also get a lot of positive feedback about him outside the Friesian world. According to us, Oege is a horse that will do well among the KWPNers, so we are very curious about what the future will bring us with him,” says a proud Dave.
Ambition for Top Sport
The team has consciously chosen a certain path after experiencing the market for Friesian horses. “We really looked at where the opportunities lie and what we enjoy. We have stopped the quick sale of horses and see that good sports results are a good indicator for international sales. We want to be an additional presence and now specialize in high-quality Friesian sport horses.” To achieve this, Cayenne Stables is seriously engaged in their stable management. Horse Paradise Stables offers the stallions the opportunity to be in grass paddocks, and all horses also go into the walker besides their training. “We have a program tailored to each horse’s specific needs and age. Animal welfare is our top priority, and we really believe that the results will follow naturally. All conditions must be right, so the physiotherapist and dentist regularly visit.” In addition to Oege, Cayenne Stables currently has high expectations for Tanco fan Berltsum Ster Sport Elite A (Epke 474 x Onne 376), who previously competed in the sport with Patricia Mannaerts. “Zoë and Tanco have a very good click. It’s really nice to see their progress together, and he is in great shape.” The combination now achieves scores above 65% in the Prix St. Georges class and recently placed in the awards at the Kadervorming in Schijndel among the warmbloods.
Great Collaborations
To achieve top performances, the people around you are very important, Dave knows. “Dressage is a team sport as far as we are concerned. The people around the combination are just as important as the rider and the horse in the ring.” For example, Stal de Merksen will present Oege during the rerun for the stallion selection process, and a collaboration has been started with the Nefkens sisters of Horsea in Harlingen. “We find it very important to gather people around us with skills that can complement us. Horsea will focus on training and breaking in our young horses, and Zoë will focus more on the top sport trajectory.” The big dream of Dave, Jennifer, and Zoë is to reach the international Grand Prix with a Friesian horse and really compete at that level. “But we enjoy every step we can take and the people we meet along the way. It’s a rollercoaster we are experiencing.”
