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Hi, I am Marijke

Nice to meet you!

 

I'm a master horse trainer, an expert in Straightness Training, a mentor instructor, a forever student, and a researcher for life. I'm always curious to explore original solutions, and dedicated to helping you get the results  you're looking for!

Hi, I am Marijke

A master horse trainer, an expert in Straightness Training, a forever student, a researcher for life, always curious to explore original solutions, and dedicated to helping you get the results you're looking for!

How it began...

One day, I met my horse Maestro.

 

Maestro is a Dutch warmblood, born on 7 April 1994 - which means, he's 30 years old now. But he was 7 years old when our paths crossed. Maestro was such a sweet horse on the ground but super complicated under saddle. His natural asymmetry, and the fact that this had not been recognized before, made it almost impossible to ride him.

With this special horse, I started my Straightness Training journey and this led us all the way to performing piaffe and more. But more importantly, thanks to Straightness Training (ST), I succeeded in resolving Maestro’s physical imbalance which was the cause of all the issues. 

We traveled such a long road, and it is an absolute privilege to share my personal path to mastery with the amazing ST Community. To pass on the ST wisdom and experience to other horse lovers who struggle with their own 'Maestro' is very special.

Thanks to Straightness Training, riders and horses can overcome their obstacles and reach much higher levels than they currently think they are capable of!

Fast forward to 2009

The year, I started spreading ST worldwide.


In December 2009, I started sharing my knowledge, skills, and experience of Straightness Training with the world.

At that time, online teaching was absolutely not an obvious thing to do in the equestrian world. And not only did I start to teach online... but also in English!

People said I was making a fool of myself... messing up words, speaking with this shameful accent... You see, I live in Portugal, but was born in the Netherlands, and in the Dutch culture, you don't dare to stick your neck out above ground level or you risk your head being cut off! 

In this video you can hear more about it:

 

How I can help 

Our opportunities to get the most out of yourself.

 

My partner Marc and I founded the international Straightness Training Academy in 2013 with the goal of helping riders create an amazing relationship and magnificent life with their horses - wherever they are in the world.

Since then, we have coached thousands of riders individually and in groups to improve their horsemanship and training skills, their horse's well-being, and their own lives.

The ST Academy offers transformative programs to guide you STep-by-STep on your personal path to mastery.

STart Your ST Journey »

Why Straightness Training?

Balance in body, mind, heart, and soul. 


The goal is to help your horse to stay fit - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - into late life. By recognizing and rebalancing the natural asymmetry of your horse we can solve a lot of unnecessary stress and tension in both body and mind. If you have tried everything to solve the issues you're facing with your horse, or been told by others that the problem must be between your horse’s ears, then Straightness Training might be the solution.

Why Straightness Training?

Balance in body, mind, heart, and soul. 


The goal is to help your horse to stay fit - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - into late life. By recognizing and rebalancing the natural asymmetry of your horse we can solve a lot of unnecessary stress and tension in both body and mind. If you have tried everything to solve the issues you're facing with your horse, but got replies from others that it must be a problem between your horse’s ears, then Straightness Training might be the solution.

3 STages

Straightness Training helps your horse to go from impossible to "I'm possible"

01.

From a 'Problem' Horse

When a horse is out of balance, we face all kinds of challenges with our horse, such as rearing.

02.

To a 'Normal' Horse

When our horse is back on track, we can do all the normal things together, like a ride in the forest.

03.

To a 'Talented' Horse

When nothing is holding us back, then what once was used against us, is now working for us.

STudent Feedback

Hear what riders are saying about Marijke's online programs:

Go from Impossible to I'm Possible

Turn Your Difficult Horse Into A Dream Horse

 

Straightness Training is not only for the high and mighty in dressage. It is for everybody - it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or advanced rider - and it's for every horse - no matter what age, breed or size.

Our Scholars bring along their own 'ordinary' horses, and every breed has passed in the ST Academy - from Tinker to Icelandic, from Thoroughbred to Baroque horse.

Everyone and every horse is welcome, and I'm blessed to share my experiences with all of you through the internet.

Straightness Training offers you the clear concepts, tactics, and strategies that have already helped thousands of riders across the world to get confident and overcome struggles, plateaus, setbacks, and challenges with their horse.

Let's Get STarted

Let's Make Your Dreams Come True

 

Straightness Training is not only for the high and mighty in dressage. It is for everybody - it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or advanced rider - and it's for every horse - no matter what age, breed or size.

Our Scholars bring along their own 'ordinary' horses, and every breed has passed the ST Academy - from Tinker to Icelandic, from Thoroughbred to Baroque horses.

Everyone and every horse is welcome, and I'm blessed to share my experiences with all of you through the internet.

The online ST Academy offers you the clear concepts, tactics, and strategies that helped alread thousands of riders across the world to get confident and overcome struggles, plateaus, setbacks, and challenges with their horse.

Let's Get STarted »

Your Path to Harmony


From understanding your horse's natural asymmetry to gaining certification, let me guide you STep-by-STep on your Straightness Training Journey!

Get STarted »