This is my last column as director of the Koninklijk Friesch Paarden-Stamboek. At the end of March I decided, after 13 years of working at the KFPS of which the last three years as director, to stop at this exciting association. A difficult decision for someone who has lost his heart to the beautiful Friesian horse. The love for the Friesian horse started with me in America, in Friesland it grew further and in 2011 I started working for the KFPS. Looking back, the Friesian horse has brought me a lot. As communications manager I was able to put the Friesian horse on the map with large events such as De Stormruiter and also with wonderful TV documentaries such as It Swarte Goud. I have visited many parts of the world to meet lovers of the Friesian horse. It remains very special how our horse connects people. In the latter also lies my passion: connecting people so that we can build something even more beautiful. Those connections also contain young and new elan. Think of JongKFPS, of the breeders and owners abroad and also of our own office organization where we welcome three young enthusiastic people. They bring specialist knowledge, even at university level. Wonderful to see how enthusiastic and driven they are to dedicate themselves to our studbook. It excites me and gives me pleasure when people do their work with passion.
Work thus gives energy instead of taking energy.
Unfortunately, there is also work that does not excite you and there are many situations beyond your control. Then, when your gut tells you it’s time for something else, you have to go do it and seek adventure. That is why the time has come for me to stop, to look for a new challenge. But I will definitely stay connected to the wonderful, beautiful Friesian horse, even though we very sadly lost our mare Lyfke and her foal, about which more in this Phryso. The Friesian horse is and remains for me a love for life.
When this Phryso hits the mat, I will be on my last days as director at the KFPS and a wonderful era has come to an end for me. Behind the scenes, if necessary, I will still be active for the office organization until September 1. With great thanks to the many members and organizations at home and abroad, but also to the ladies at the KFPS office for the pleasant cooperation and fine working atmosphere. I wish you all a healthy and beautiful summer where you will fully enjoy ‘it Swarte Goud’, because that is our Friesian horse – it Swarte Goud.
Marijke Akkerman
Director of the KFPS
