From The Talland International School of Equitation
Henk van Bergen was born in Nijmegen, Holland, the son of a baker. He recalls his love of horses from a very early age and yet, to this day, he has no idea why. Brought up in the city, he was expected to follow in his brothers and sisters footsteps by continuing his education at university. However, Henk had other plans, he was determined to make a career with horses, although at that time, he had no idea the path that this would take.
He started his career as a groom at the local riding stables which, through his dedication and determination, he now owns jointly with his wife, Wilma, and it is one of the most beautiful and professional establishments in Europe. The Dutch national championships are held there every year and it is an achievement of which Henk is extremely proud. He explains that his international training commitments take him away from home for much of the time but it is at home that he is at his happiest, working with his horses and enjoying their progress. The stable has 28 horses at any one time.
The three trainers who have had the greatest influence on Henk's career have been Ernest van Loon, George Thedorescu and Piet Oothout. It took however, a conscious decision by Henk to focus his attention on a career as a professional trainer, rather than a rider. This decision was partly dictated by finances and his need to develop the business but, he added with a smile, his over-competitiveness was not conducive to the international scene. As a full-time trainer he can dedicate his time solely to his pupils at the competitions but, he says, even to this day, they are often to be found happily drinking beer while he is still pondering over a disappointing performance.
Henk was appointed Dutch National Trainer in 1988 and took his team to silver medal position at the Barcelona Olympics. He said this was his greatest moment of glory, but that his total commitment as national coach made the four years leading up to this result, particularly stressful and to end, he said, in just one day of joy. It is clear that Henk is a man of great integrity. His training methods are guided by a strong code of ethics and principles, which makes him one of the most highly respected trainers of our time. He explained, if there is a group of top trainers, he would wish to be in that group, but not to sit in the front row. It is nice to sit there occasionally, but to maintain that position would mean breaking with his own standards of morality and this he could not do. Winning is not the ultimate goal, it is achieving the result without any compromise of one's own principles and beliefs. The fundamental principle of Henk's training is quality. He said anybody can train tricks, that is not difficult, but to produce the movements with the quality of expression he is looking for, requires true harmony between horse and rider. This harmony is created by looking at the training as a whole picture and not as an isolated event. The horse must be happy and produced in a stress-free environment, but this does not mean lots of pats and tit-bits. A horse will not work to the best of its ability just because it is fond of the rider, he must work because he respects the rider but never out of fear.
