Between the Koekoekstraat and the Vrombautstraat in quiet Lembeke lies the home of the renowned sport horse breeding farm Van de Vrombautshoeve. This stable name rings like a bell in the equestrian world, and that is largely thanks to Jan Boelens. Together with his brother, he has continued their father's legacy and built it into a name of international stature. But who is Jan Boelens, the man behind the success?
A life dedicated to horses
Jan Boelens is a man of few words but with a deep passion for horses. On a cold day, when the bitter wind cuts through marrow and bone, he shows himself unflappable while working with Quinio, a young stallion with great potential. Jan's drive is characteristic of his approach: he has an eye for detail and does not give up, even when physically limited by a previous fall. It is this dedication that has taken his breeding to great heights.
Jan's approach is firmly rooted in respect for bloodlines and caring for horses. Take Asteria, the Vrombautshoeve's foundation dam, for example. This Fleuri x Ritmeester mare, with her unique mix of French and Gelderlander bloodlines, is not only a cornerstone of breeding, but also a paragon of quality and character. Jan vividly remembers how his father, a man with a rock-solid belief in Asteria, once bought her as a young foal and laid a foundation that decades later still yields results.
The power of a vision
Under Jan's leadership, The Vrombautshoeve has achieved an impressive string of successes. Asteria's products dominate not only national competitions, but also the international stage. Horses such as Jarmen and Mast van de Vrombautshoeve have established the stable's name worldwide. Jan knows better than anyone how important a strong foundation is. He always stresses the importance of proven dam lines and sees it as his mission to continue this tradition.
With a keen eye for quality and a steady hand in management, Jan has built a stable where performance and welfare go hand in hand. His approach is not based on short-term successes, but on sustainability. Thus, Asteria's female progeny are carefully kept within the company, while stallions and granddaughters with potential are sold to buyers who can carry on the bloodline.
A vision of the future
Jan is not only a traditional breeder; he is also a visionary who looks critically at the future of sport and breeding. He advocates greater recognition and trust in local breeders by organisations such as the BWP (Belgian Warmblood Horse). ‘The studbook must learn to trust its own people,’ says Jan. He calls for more support for stallions from proven lines so that smaller breeders also have a chance to break through.
The legacy of Asteria
What really sets Jan Boelens apart is his deep connection with horses. For him, they are not commodities, but partners in a common pursuit of perfection. Asteria, the mare once rejected by his father for sale, remains the symbol of that philosophy. Her legacy lives on in her offspring, who show the same suppleness, willpower and intelligence that characterised her.
Jan looks back on the Vrombautshoeve's achievements with pride, but his gaze remains on the future. His wish? Getting a stallion of his own approved and seeing a product of his stable shine at the highest international level. And with horses like Mast and the promising young offspring in the stable, that does not seem an unattainable dream.
Source: This blog post is based on a publication from Horsepower magazine, December 1995-January 1996 edition.