BK The Horse Connection

BK The Horse Connection focuses on dressage and flat training, with the aim of promoting an effective and successful partnership between a rider and sport horse. For ambitious riders of all levels.

  • Dressage training
  • Dressage and flat work rider
  • Flat work/dressage training for showjumpers and eventers
  • Training to develop young horses
  • Helping to correct training problems
  • Purchase guidance
  • Mental coaching - for focus and clarity to win
  • Clinic’s

The training is known for its honesty, clarity, structure, foundation, and always being tailored as closely as possible to the horse and rider.

Passion for training and coaching

The Horse Connection is a successful long-running concept, ready to support more riders so that they and their horses are ready for the next step towards success.

The Horse Connection is located in the Apeldoorn region, The Netherlands. Travel within the Netherlands or Europe is possible. Other parts of the world are negotiable.

For riders who want in-house training, there is KH Riding Support in collaboration with the Krimhoeve Hoenderloo.

“Train like you've never won, compete like you've never lost”

Nice to meet...

Hello, my name is Barbara Kleerekooper and I have more than two decades of experience as a trainer of young horses, rider, and trainer. I have been training sport horses and riders since my childhood. Initially, I did this alongside my school and studies. My ability to train riders and sport horses in a structured and enjoyable way to become better athletes has ensured that riders have always found me.

Originally, I was becoming a Financial professional after studying Business Economics, alongside my equestrian activities, until I became seriously ill.

Initially, I was misdiagnosed, only decades later it became clear that I had kidney disease. The time between when I got ill and received the correct diagnosis, led me to continue my equestrian business on a small and manageable scale. I wanted to focus on gaining more knowledge about: training horses, breeding, retraining talented horses with training problems, rider fitness, coaching and teaching.

Competition riding took a back seat due to illness. This meant that for years I was the driving force behind other successful riders.

Recently, the kidney disease was cured through a lengthy process that ended with two operations, and I have been better since 2025.
This has motivated me to compete more myself, resulting in many successes.

I have also taken up new activities that I never thought I would be able to do myself.
The best thing is that I can share my (equestrian) life with my family, friends, students and horses. Being better has been the greatest gift.

“Acknowledge all of your small victories, they will eventually add up to something great”

My life with horses

Sport horses have always played a constant role in my life. For as long as I can remember, sport horses were bred and trained at our home. Working with horses, my interest in how they feel optimal and develop in the best way possible, is truly embedded in my DNA.

When I was a young equestrian, I believed that my sporting achievements were my motivation and reason for riding horses. When I fell ill, my interest in horses remained. I did things that were possible: supporting others, getting horses back on track, developing training programs, mental coaching, rider fitness and providing purchase guidance.

During that period, I discovered that I enjoy helping future generations. It also gave me the opportunity to view many things from a different perspective. As a result, I have extensive experience and skills regarding styles and various sport horses. I still enjoy learning from other riders and trainers who, in my opinion, contribute something valuable and positive to the future of equestrian sports.

Moreover, my life has encouraged me to focus less on success and winning in the short term. You don’t choose to be seriously ill or misdiagnosed, but by persevering and constantly working on things that can grow, you take steps forward. When something is not successful the first time, I don’t consider that a significant problem if it motivates me to approach things differently or better. Then you still win! Even with horses, you never know exactly how things will turn out, and focusing on improvement and enjoyment is certainly a path to success.
Horsemanship and the right team make the success.

BK The Horse Connection

reviews

Karolien van der Linden
Karolien van der Linden
I have been training with Barbara for more than 10 years. Barbara's training sessions offer much more than just technical guidance and focus on riding with enjoyment for the entire partnership, while ambitions and goals are not shied away from. The ultimate aim of the lessons is to approach and continually develop The Happy Athlete as well as possible. Barbara offers a lot of market knowledge and contacts, but can also quickly determine what horse is suitable for you. Without Barbara, I would never have had the confidence to purchase a young horse. By now, I have had and ridden her for 2.5 years, and we experience a lot of joy and development, and I look to the future with great confidence. In addition, I appreciate receiving the familiar support and guidance at competitions. With the knowledge and experience she possesses, excellent help and advice are offered to align objectives and what is achievable. 6 stars!!! And much gratitude for all the support over the past years, and hopefully we can continue for many more years
N.E. Lindenburg
N.E. Lindenburg
For the past 4-6 weeks, my horse and I have been receiving guidance from Barbara. Although the guidance started only recently, I notice changes in both my horse and myself. Barbara knows what she is talking about and explains everything clearly. During the training sessions, she gives plenty of time to ask questions and encourages the rider to think. This helps me lower the barrier to ask questions. With the guidance, it becomes easier to train on my own because you can continue practicing what was covered in the training.
Willemijn
Willemijn
Barbara helps me immensely to understand the horse by explaining the natural behavior of horses and how things affect them. In addition, she is very good at breaking things down into manageable steps for me and connecting with my level and experience.
Anne
Anne
The training gives me the opportunity to ride, take lessons, and train on a quality sport horse. I would definitely recommend Barbara's guidance because it is incredibly valuable and necessary to receive support from someone who has a great eye for the (in)abilities of your horse. She helps you get the best out of the development of horse and rider as a combination. It helps to overcome the obstacles familiar to every rider and to grow together towards set goals.
Yara
Yara
I have been training with Barbara since the end of 2021. With my current horse since June 2023. With my previous pony, I learned a lot about how to ride good tests. With my current horse, I am learning a lot about training a young horse and everything that comes with it. And in the meantime, we have already had quite a bit of success Yes, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn horseback riding well and with a lot of feeling.
Maarten
Maarten
I have been training with Barbara for more than 5 years. Thanks to Barbara's lessons, I have gained more confidence in my riding skills. No matter which horse I ride, I notice that it goes more smoothly and that we function better as a team. I would definitely recommend guidance/support. Barbara carefully observes what the horse and rider need in order to develop and make progress. She does this by combining her knowledge with patience and a personal approach. This makes her guidance/support very valuable for any type of rider at various levels.
Nico
Nico
I have been receiving lessons and guidance in the development of my horse from Barbara for more than 15 years, completely satisfactorily. The training sessions have always been enjoyable and inspiring for me. I find it impressive how Barbara is able to provide the right instructions and guidance in a clear and energetic manner. I would recommend anyone who has the opportunity to receive lessons, guidance, or support from Barbara to definitely do so, given her expertise and experience. For every problem, Barbara looks for a solution and approach.
L. Geradts
L. Geradts
I have been training with Barbara for almost ten years now, and in recent years we have been working together several times a week to train our horses. Under her guidance, I have ridden my enthusiastic pony from B to Z2 level, an adventure I look back on with great pride. We are currently training a young, talented mare together. Barbara is passionate about both horse and rider and knows exactly how to help us grow as a combination. Her lessons are honest, clear, and always motivating.
L. van Hemmen
L. van Hemmen
From the first contact with Barbara, we felt fully supported in the search for the right horse. The guidance in purchasing our horse was professional, honest, and involved. We are also very satisfied with Barbara's further support in training and competition guidance. She does this with patience, expertise, and attention to both rider and horse. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality and trust.
U.B.
U.B.
Our daughter has been receiving guidance from Barbara for over 4 years now. First with her pony and now with her horse. The expert guidance when purchasing our young horse, the professional training sessions, and the mental support make Barbara more than just an instructor. She guides the entire process while always keeping the enjoyment and pleasure of this beautiful sport in mind. I can recommend Barbara's guidance to any parent who wants their child to progress in equestrian sports with feeling and respect!
P. Sarelse
P. Sarelse
We have been working with Barbara for over 15 years. Together we search for a good and suitable horse, lessons to train the horses and to continuously improve as riders ourselves. Preparation and guidance for competitions in dressage, jumping and eventing. Barbara's keen eye, talent, and vast knowledge of horses and riding are still an indispensable asset and have led to many successes for myself and my daughter. Not only in competitions, but also in terms of enjoying horse riding with an eye for the quality required to make a good combination.
F. de Graaf
F. de Graaf
For more than 10 years I have been training with Barbara. She has trained three horses for me. Five years ago, together with Barbara, we searched for a new horse for me. A horse that was suitable for my level and still had some room to grow. That was very successful, thanks to Barbara. Afterwards, Barbara and her husband Arjan took over the training to develop the horse in a healthy and athletic way. This has resulted in a complete horse that has achieved Z-level performance in eventing and jumping, and a horse I can continue to progress with for many years. The support in management and receiving instruction was an enrichment. I can recommend Barbara to everyone; she is capable of developing an almost perfect balance for every rider and guiding them with the right horse and the right level.
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