Bas Reesink
As young boys, Sebastian (Bas) and his older brother Bram only knew one kind of life - living on a horse farm. They were riding their bicycles past the stalls of Florencio, Contango, Verdades, and Robin Hood, never giving a thought about how their parents were finding horses that would change the world of dressage.
The Reesink home was also the Reesink farm, a beautiful equestrian facility in Eibergen, NL near the German border and in the area Bas' family had lived for generations. The front of the home was where the family lived, the back is where the horses lived. It was all one building as was common in the old farm houses of Western Europe.
Bas grew up traveling with his parents to horse shows and events world-wide. Already as a young man he had been to more Wellington horse shows than many Americans. It's no surprise then, after his education, he chose to give the "horse business" a try.
"My first year I started 'at the bottom,' working in the stable, mucking out stalls, turning out horses, sweeping, and feeding the horses. It wasn't glamorous, but it helped me understand the nuts and bolts of how a stable operated and it gave me an appreciation for the stable help and how hard they work," says Bas.
In 2015, Bas started taking on more office responsibilities. He learned the bookkeeping, scheduling, and administrative aspects of his parents business, and discovered his own interest in this part of the industry.
Soon, Bas began taking on more responsibilities in helping Reesink Horses with sales and again, discovered an aspect of the business he found satisfying and inspiring.
By 2017, Bas was ready to fully commit to being in being in business together with his parents and together, they purchased their original homestead which the family had sold years earlier.
Bas soon became the driving force behind the concept of Reesink Stallions and also to have an in-house International rider associated with their company. That vision became a reality in 2020 when they purchased the breeding and training center in Uden, and partnered with rising International star, Dinja Van Liere.
Today, Bas is an important visionary force behind Reesink Horses, carrying forward the impressive legacy his parents began.
Advice From Bas
"Growing up, I've seen a lot of professionals in our industry all working hard to make more money and become someone that others look up to. The problem however is individual ambition doesn't always lead to partnership with others in the industry. There are a lot of independent endeavors going on. Sometimes with a little success, people become proud and arrogant, then they stop learning or being good collaborators in the sport.
But I think the future of our sport depends on cooperation, communication, and partnership. For example, the breeders have to listen to the riders. The trainers have to work together with breeders and horse sellers. Judges have to listen to trainers. I think the only way our sport will survive and flourish is if we all work together, communicate with one another, support the success of one another. Through a commitment to partnership, a better result will come about for everyone."