Buyers: Family Wezenberg & Family Lodewijk

1. Why did Mr. Europe you at the time at the auction?

Marry Lodewijk: “We had agreed to buy a foal together. We were looking for a horse from a well-performing stock. I checked everything and said there is one left and that is Mr. Europe. He had charisma, good movements, a nice color and came from a very good performing stock. We agreed on an amount and immediately bet high, because we knew for sure that we wanted him. In the end we had the highest offer and he was ours.”

2. Is mr. Europe still owned by you?

Benny Wezenberg: “We had him together until he was five, after which the Lodewijk family also bought my share. Later this part was taken over by Stal Houtzager-Kayser. †

3. How was the rearing and training of Mr. Europe?

Louis: “Mr. Until his third year, Europe was reared by the Peeters family in Diever. He was also saddlebroken there. At the age of three he was approved as a breeding stallion at Zangersheide and at the age of four Gerdia Dolfsma hit him further. She has also ridden his first courses with him up to and including M-level. When Gerdia was hit by a serious accident, Mr. Europe went to Marc Houtzager and Julia Kayser as a five-year-old. They trained him further and later became co-owners.”

4. Does Mr. Europe fulfilled your expectations?

Wezenberg: “Yes, it is a horse from the book. He jumps exceptionally. I knew it was going to be a good one, but the fact that it was going to be this good even exceeded my expectations.”

5. Do you have a special relationship with Mr. Europe?

Lodewijk: “I immediately clicked with this horse and have always had confidence in him. His way of jumping was good. When arriving, Gerdia indicated that it was special. Marc Houtzager had the same feeling after he jumped two crosses with him. I go to almost all competitions where Marc Houtzager releases him, only if I really can't do it I follow it via the internet.”

6. Why do you advise people to buy a foal at the Foal Auction Prinsjesdag?

Wezenberg: “I can recommend people to buy a foal at the Prinsjesdag auction because the best foals in the Netherlands are present there. Furthermore, the organization is well put together. I also had several foals from my breeding auction auctioned there. Of course you buy hope, you have no guarantee. But try again to buy a horse from such stocks as a three or four year old. They don't exist, or they are very expensive.”

Lodewijk: “I have a thing for foals and you will find foals from renowned stocks at the Prinsjesdag auction. If you look at it purely, then of course you better buy a three- or four-year-old; they can have you inspected and can show a jump. But if you can get a horse of this age from such a renowned performance as Mr. If you want to find Europe, you have to drive quite a few kilometers, because they are never for sale.”

Image: Photo of Benny Wezenberg and Marry Lodewijk