At some stables, preparations for the development of young horses have already begun. In a recent interview, Willem Greve stated that he finds the shortage of riders willing to train young horses dramatic. In JUMP-OFF, Ludo Philippaerts, Jos Kumps, Maurice Van Roosbroeck, and Jelmer Hoekstra discuss the development of young horses. "It would already be a positive step if riders viewed young horse competitions as training rather than as actual competitions," says Kumps. "You learn from mistakes as a combination… it’s a matter of wanting to learn, not wanting to win!"
"The problem is what your focus is," responds Jelmer Hoekstra. "If it’s about sales, then they need to jump well, and that puts pressure on you! I understand that, but it shouldn’t become the driving force…"
"Pessoa’s rule was ten months of shows per year and a maximum of two shows per month!" adds Jos Kumps. "The horses lasted much longer. You have to keep things good for your horses!"
