Maarten was born in 1961 and started his dressage career in places like the National Dutch Dressage Academy Deurne (Instructor), Warendorf (Oberbereiter) and the Orun (instructor’s diploma 4th phase). He has trained with excellent trainers, including Ton Toonen, Inge Schram, Harry Boldt and Douwe Rinkes. Nowadays Maarten trains his competition horses with champion maker Alex van Silfhout.

Maarten is currently competing on two horses: Simply Red (Medium Advanced) and William (Advanced). Including training many horses to Medium Advanced, Maarten also has ridden horses at FEI levels (including Prix St. George) and prepared horses for sale at Grand Prix.

Maarten rides with one arm! At age six, he lost an arm in a car accident. Maarten elaborates on this: "Horses do not judge whether you ride with one or two hands. It only forces me to be a better rider."

A chronic overload of his right arm and shoulder caused Maarten to interrupt his professional career in the 90’s. "No arms were not an option, so I made a career switch." Now he is fortunate to have a hobby that he performs professionally. Supported by a team of fine, horse-loving people, Maarten enjoys working with horses more than ever.
 
Maarten coaches number of dressage riders that are ambitious to move forward in dressage, and have the talent to achieve this. "With more than 30 years of experience, I feel it as my moral duty to transfer my knowledge to others."