History
In 2004 the now well known Arabian Horse Weekend started out as a National C-show. Organized in the hometown of the Stoop family, Sint-Oedenrode, the location at Manege de Pijnhorst was practically in their backyard! After the success of that very first edition dressage classes were added on Saturday for a full weekend in the welcoming atmosphere North Brabant is known for. The Stoop family takes pride in organizing a show where young horses can have a great first experience, and where guests can relax and enjoy a lovely show.
The Stoop family has always tried to keep matters in their own hands, and it is no surprise that they did just that with the winners’ garlands in 2007: they started making them themselves. Seven garlands for the medallists and one for the Best of Show quickly grew into no less than 52 for the medallists and three Best of Show garlands in 2020. Each and every one hand made by Pieter and Ine Stoop. A massive task that is started months in advance. And every year they try to be as original as possible, creating something new, keeping a bit of an element of surprise to the prizes!
The very first Arabian Horse Weekend, just a National C-show at the time, was organised in 2004, in Sint-Oedenrode at Manege de Pijnhorst, which is basically in the Stoop family’s back yard. In 2005 dressage classes were added on Saturday. The Stoop family has always held the versatile Arabian horse in high regard, with daughter Annelieke partaking in many under saddle competitions. Combining show with sports was a small, logical step and has attracted lovers of the breed from all over the country to friendly North Brabant. As the attention for the show grew, so did the number of entries. In recent years there was simply no more time for the under saddle classes, but the Stoop family is still actively involved in the organisation of allround events as well as competing in them.
The Stoop family has always tried to keep matters in their own hands, and it is no surprise that they did just that with the winners’ garlands in 2007: they started making them themselves. Seven garlands for the medalists and one for the Best of Show quickly grew into no less than 52 for the medalists and three Best of Show garlands in 2020. Each and every one hand made by Pieter and Ine Stoop. A massive task that is started months in advance. And every year they try to be as original as possible, creating something new, keeping a bit of an element of surprise to the prizes!
The very first Arabian Horse Weekend, just a National C-show at the time, was organized in 2004, in Sint-Oedenrode at Manege de Pijnhorst, which is basically in the Stoop family’s back yard. In 2005 dressage classes were added on Saturday. The Stoop family has always held the versatile Arabian horse in high regard, with daughter Annelieke partaking in many under saddle competitions. Combining show with sports was a small, logical step and has attracted lovers of the breed from all over the country to friendly North Brabant. As the attention for the show grew, so did the number of entries. In recent years there was simply no more time for the under saddle classes, but the Stoop family is still actively involved in the organization of allround events as well as competing in them.
The International C-show was first organised in 2012, dividing the weekend in a National show on Saturday and the International show on Sunday. With no less than 100 entries they were off to a great start, attracting international attention. Usually organised in May, the Arabian Horse Weekend is the kick-off to the outdoor season and providing for a great experience for young horses that are new to the showring. Many A- and Title Show contenders showed themselves to their first medals on the ever green grass of Sint-Oedenrode! The show ring is always set up in such a way that even young horses will feel comfortable in it, and rest in the stables is provided.
Trying to attract newcomers to the showscene, Amateur classes were added in 2014, being replaced by the Aljassimya Amateur Challenge in 2016 which was combined with the International C-show. A great oppertunity to experience that big, beautiful showring for anyone new to showing! Like with the ridden classes, it proved to be difficult to fit yet another show into the weekend. Annelieke is still active in organising the Aljassimya Amateur Challenges througout the country at other dates.
In 2016, when the 5th International C-Show took place, the idea arose to perpetuate the Best of Shows on a large banner in the VIP area. This quickly grew into the famous Wall of Fame for which the handlers compete for years to be on the Wall of Fame next year.
The International C-show was first organized in 2012, dividing the weekend in a National show on Saturday and the International show on Sunday. With no less than 100 entries they were off to a great start, attracting international attention. Usually organized in May, the Arabian Horse Weekend is the kick-off to the outdoor season and providing for a great experience for young horses that are new to the showring. Many A- and Title Show contenders showed themselves to their first medals on the ever green grass of Sint-Oedenrode! The show ring is always set up in such a way that even young horses will feel comfortable in it, and rest in the stables is provided.
Trying to attract newcomers to the show scene, Amateur classes were added in 2014, being replaced by the Aljassimya Amateur Challenge in 2016 which was combined with the International C-show. A great oppertunity to experience that big, beautiful showring for anyone new to showing! Like with the ridden classes, it proved to be difficult to fit yet another show into the weekend.
In 2016, when the 5th International C-Show took place, the idea arose to perpetuate the Best of Shows on a large banner in the VIP area. This quickly grew into the famous Wall of Fame for which the handlers compete for years to be on the Wall of Fame next year.
2018 marked the 15th anniversary of the Arabian Horse Weekend. Of course, there were beautiful big trophies for the winners as well as the hand made flower garlands. In celebration of this special anniversary there was a lottery as well in which breedings to world renowed stallions could be won. Some of the resulting foals have been showed at the Arabian Horse Weekend since! An in depth aftermovie made by Arabian Insider completed the festivities, and is still very dear to the Stoop family.
In 2020 Covid-19 turned the world upside down. Many shows were canceled, the season seemed lost, people had to stay home. Yet, the Stoop family insisted on bringing some joy and fun during this challenging year and decided their show just hád to be organised, one way or another! After having to move the date from May to August a new location was found that provided for more space, so rules and regulations set by the government could be abided. This went so well, that the show has been permanently moved to the Dutch Eqestrian Estate in Schaijk. This spacious, luxurious location provides everything needed to take even bigger strides towards making the Arabian Horse Weekend the best International show in the world!
After having to move the date to August in 2021 due to Covid, in 2022 the Arabian Horse Weekend was back on its regular date in May and could reclaim its status as one of the best experiences for young horses.
With over 67,000 livestream views worldwide and visitors, owners and judges from all over the world, the Arabian Horse Weekend surely may be called world famous!
2018 marked the 15th anniversary of the Arabian Horse Weekend. Of course, there were beautiful big trophies for the winners as well as the handmade flower garlands. In celebration of this special anniversary there was a lottery as well in which breedings to world renowned stallions could be won. Some of the resulting foals have been showed at the Arabian Horse Weekend since! An in depth aftermovie made by Arabian Insider completed the festivities, and is still very dear to the Stoop family.
In 2020 Covid-19 turned the world upside down. Many shows were canceled, the season seemed lost, people had to stay home. Yet, the Stoop family insisted on bringing some joy and fun during this challenging year and decided their show just hád to be organized, one way or another! After having to move the date from May to August a new location was found that provided for more space, so rules and regulations set by the government could be abided. This went so well, that the show has been permanently moved to the Dutch Equestrian Estate in Schaijk. This spacious, luxurious location provides everything needed to take even bigger strides towards making the Arabian Horse Weekend the best International show in the world!
After having to move the date to August in 2021 due to Covid, in 2022 the Arabian Horse Weekend was back on its regular date in May and could reclaim its status as one of the best experiences for young horses.
With over 67,000 livestream views worldwide and visitors, owners and judges from all over the world, the Arabian Horse Weekend surely may be called world famous!
About Us
The Stoop family consists of Pieter, Ine, their daughter Annelieke Stoop-Hesen and her husband Ralf Hesen.
In 2001 their first Arabian purebred was acquired: Paroeska (1992, Paraquay x Knitova), who still is with Annelieke. With Paroeska their journey in the Arabian horse world was started, and they never looked back! After successfully competing in dressage competitions, the family first organised a dressage competition for Arabian Purebreds in 2003, followed by the first show in 2004 and two dressage competitions yearly. They also quickly found their way to breeding under the name Lazize Arabians, and Paroeska gave them no less than five beautiful daughters of which two are still with the Stoop family. Annelieke has continued to compete both under saddle and in hand, and currently the family has seven horses at their small farm in Veghel.
Pieter started the national C-show South in 2004 after being asked to organize a show in the south of the country with the AVS board. Pieter is responsible for facilitation. With her catering and hospitality experience, Ine is responsible for the VIP area and the catering. Annelieke eventually also joined the organization and is responsible for the admin, show office, and much more, while Ralf is the stable manager and takes on the marketing.
The Stoop family has a great passion for the Arabian horse, and animal welfare has always been very important to them. They strive to make their show a great first experience for young horses, by providing ample rest in the safely set up stables and by creating a show ring in which the horses have enough room to get aqainted with the many new impressions. And not for nothing: many horses that claimed their first medals on the lucky Brabantse showground have found their way to the winners circle at big shows such as Menton, Paris and Aachen!
The goal is to offer a great weekend for everyone with Brabant hospitality and a great atmosphere.
Don’t miss the special trophies!
We are grateful to all sponsors, friends, owners, trainers, judges who helped make the Arabian Horse Weekend what it is today.