G.S.P.V. Parafrid - English

Somehow, May managed to be both incredibly busy and incredibly relaxing at the same time. The weather started feeling like summer was actually happening, people were spending more time outside again, and the stables slowly turned from a muddy battlefield into a place where you could almost keep your shoes clean. Almost.

Club Weekend 2026: High School Never Ends

Without a doubt, the highlight of the month was our club weekend at Manege Knollegruun in Schoonloo. For three days, the stable belonged to us, and thanks to Ecie, a well-organized chore schedule, and a group of members willing to lend a hand, everything ran surprisingly smooth.

This year's theme was Back to High School, which meant the stable was suddenly filled with emos, jocks, nerds, and various other stereotypes that may or may not have hit a little too close to home. The outfits were questionable, the commitment to the bit was admirable, and the photos will probably haunt us forever.

The weekend started with dressage lessons and carousel riding. Both horse and rider had to shake off the rust a little, but after some warming up everyone settled into the rhythm of a parafrid clubweekend. Saturday was packed with riding. The jumping lessons provided plenty of entertainment. Members got to enjoy the spectacle: the elegant and impressively large Babalou, and also Zima, a miniature fjord pony who apparently identifies as a Formula 1 car. Size clearly has nothing to do with speed. 

Of course, there were also several outdoor rides (How can there not be next to a forest?). With sunshine, pleasant temperatures, and beautiful surroundings, nobody had much to complain about. Unless your horse suddenly decided a patch of grass was more important than the route. Another classic part of the weekend was the ‘estafette’. This year there were both beginners and advanced riders taking part, giving everyone a chance to show off their skills without a saddle. 

Fred and Bonte Piet were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone on the sideline. Especially Bonte Piet, who spent the afternoon proving exactly why he remains one of the most iconic ponies around. He certainly was a shining star once again! He ran off with several riders and it wouldn't be the beloved Piet without a buck and a sliding stop here and there. Yet somehow, against all odds, every single rider managed to stay on board for the entire session. 

Before we knew it, Sunday had arrived. After one final outdoor ride, many of us spent our remaining time watching horses, soaking up some more sun and helping with the clean-up. As always, the weekend flew by far too quickly. A huge thank you to Ecie, the instructors, Manege Knollegruun, and everyone who helped make the weekend such a success. We're already looking forward to next year!

Barcie Homemade Dinner

After surviving an entire weekend together, two weeks later it was time to gather once again for another Barcie dinner. On the 21st of May, we found ourselves sweating through what felt like the sun exploding while enjoying a delicious homemade tomato gnocchi dinner. Despite the temperatures, the food disappeared remarkably quickly. An unexpected star of the evening was Lykas' cat, who immediately charmed the room. Unfortunately, its ambitions quickly exceeded its privileges when it started getting a little too interested in the windowsill. In the interest of keeping both the cat and and the general mood of the evening alive, it was gently escorted out of the room. A short-lived but memorable appearance.

First Jumping Lesson in the Jumping Field

To close off the month, we finally returned to the jumping field for our first outdoor jumping lesson of the year on the 28th of May. The open space and fresh air made it feel like a dream. The horses certainly seemed to enjoy themselves too, although some interpreted the occasion slightly differently than intended. The decorative plastic plants placed around the course quickly became a snack buffet for several ponies (Mendy and Tinkerbell). Gentleman, meanwhile, seemed convinced that he was competing in an international Grand Prix and had absolutely no intention of taking things calmly. Enthusiasm levels were high, brakes were optional, and riders got a very good workout. Despite the occasional chaos, it was a fantastic lesson and the perfect way to end the month.