23 October 2018
Big Changes ahead for Manege Chardon
Manege Chardon, the business run by IJsbrand and Paulien Chardon will be going through some big changes in the coming months. Their children Bram and Jeannette will be taking over the business in Den Hoorn, NL and will begin to make it their own.Familie Chardon
IJsbrand has 4 World titles to his name and an impressive 27 national titles as a four-in-hand driver. His son Bram Chardon (25), has already acheived 3 World titles and 7 national titles with his four-in-hand ponies and is now making a name for himself with his team of four-in-hand horses. Daughter Jeannette Chardon (26) competes internationally at 3* eventing competitions. The family is rounded out by daughters Edith, the 23 year-old four-in-hand pony driver and 20 year-old Lianne Chardon, an international 2* eventing rider. Both are likely to join the family business in the future.
Bram Chardon in action in Tryon with sister Lianne as his groom
Photo: Karolina Swärdh
Sport and knowledge
Both Bram and Jeannette are passionate about their respective sports and wish to continue competing and teaching. This means that the riding school lessons will be scaled back and the accommodation will make the transformation into a training centre specializing in driving, dressage, jumping and eventing.
Jeannette Chardon
Photo: Joost Rouwhorst
‘Fanatics’
‘The business my parents run works really well. The stable was split into three parts: the boarding stable, the riding school and my fathers competition horses. The boarding stable and the riding school were managed by my mother, as she planned the lesson roster, dealt with clients and organized events,’ tells Bram Chardon.
‘Now that my sister and I have come into the business it is becoming more an more difficult to pay equal attention to all three branches. We are fanatical sporters and the majority of our time is invested in our sport horses and as a result there is not always enough time over for the riding school. If a riding school is to succeed, it does neet a lot of attention and that is just not possible for us.’
An end for pony lessons
‘We have decided that as per 1 January, 2019 that we will be stopping with pony lessons. At the moment we have 14 stables for the riding school ponies. Eight or nine of those ponies will be furthering their career at another stable and the rest will enjoy their retirement here.’
The stables at Manege Chardon are at this moment quite full. ‘In the future we would like to have the opportunity to welcome more training horses and riders/drivers to assist them with their show preparation. These horses now are stabled in the boarding stable, and are taking up room from new boarding clients. With 10 pony stables coming free we will be able to make room for more boarders.’
Future plans
‘We want to bring our business to a new level in the future and have had to make some difficult decisions with the riding school. But with these changes we hope to provide more intensive and personal instruction at the riding school. With this new structure we hope that we will be better able to share our knowledge with our clients,’ finishes Bram.
Bron: Hoefslag
