Gijs Bartels
Gijs is the director of Academy Events. Academy Bartels offers four kinds of special events: business events (teambuilding sessions and product presentations), educational projects (clinics and workshops), public events (like Global Dressage Forum and Horse Event), and sponsor management ( e.g. the Dutch Pikeur Trophy Competition, Rabobank Talentenplan and FNRS Zitcompetitie). Gijs studied Business Communication at the European University in Antwerp. He graduated in 1999.

g.bartels@academybartels.com

Imke Schellekens-Bartels
Imke is an instructor at Academy Bartels and the daughter of Tineke and Joep. She was very successful as a Young Rider: she won two individual bronze medals at the European Championships and won a gold team medal at the European Championships in Helsinki. Imke moved to the Swedish national stud farm Flyinge where she trained with the world famous Kyra Kyrklund. Imke also received an equestrian degree at the Master Class in Deurne. As a senior rider Imke finished sixth with Olympic Barbria at the World Cup Final in Dortmund in 1999. Imke achieved many good results but when Lancet came to the Bartels stables, her career became really successful. In the beginning of 2004 Imke and Lancet rode their first Grand Prix. In March they won a class at the international horse show Indoor Brabant in the Netherlands. A few months later after two more international victories (Rotterdam and Hickstead) Imke finished 11th individually at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. In 2006 she took fifth place at the FEI World Cup Final and was National Champion with the mare Sunrise.

Joep Bartels
Joep has a university degree as psychologist, but after practising psychology for several years he got involved in the equestrian industry. He was an active rider himself and he was President of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists for 10 years. Joep was a journalist and editor of several equestrian magazines and he wrote a number of books. In 1975 he was one of the founders of the publishing house and management company BCM. In 1997 he decided to leave the company to dedicate his time to the Academy. Joep Bartels was also the initiator and director (untill 2004) of the FEI World Cup Dressage. H.M. the Queen awarded Joep Bartels the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2002. Since 2003 Joep is a lector at the agricultural university HAS Den Bosch.

j.bartels@academybartels.com

Tineke Bartels
Tineke started her career as a show jumper, participating at the first international horse show Indoor Brabant in the 'Brabanthallen' in 's-Hertogenbosch in 1967. After her career as a show jumper, she specialised in eventing. Tineke won the Dutch National Championship in 1974. In the early eighties Tineke decided to turn to dressage. From 1984 to 1997 she was a member of the Dutch national team. She participated in four Olympic Games and won two silver team medals. Tineke also won five silver and bronze medals at World and European Championships and she participated in a record number of World Cup Finals. She had her eduction at the Academy for physical education in Tilburg and she received an equestrian instructors degree at the O.R.U.N. in Ermelo. She is 'master coach' of the Dutch Olympic Committee. Her "Grote Pony Boek" is a bestseller and translated into five languages and over 10,000 copies of her new book "Riding with Tineke Bartels" were sold in the Netherlands. She received the Order of Orange-Nassau from HM the Queen. Tineke is the national coach of the Dutch Junior and Young Riders team since 2006.

Esther Tacken
Esther is the office manager and project manager of the Global Dressage Forum and the talent development program 'Rabo Talentenplan', which she manages for the Dutch National Equestrian Federation. Esther is also responsible for the secretariat of the International Dressage Trainers Club. In all other events and projects Esther plays an supporting role.

e.tacken@academybartels.com

Joep Schellekens
Joep came to Academy Bartels after a study at the conservatory and working in the meat industry. In addition to his music study, Joep Schellekens studied Italian and book-keeping. At Academy Bartels Joep is responsible for the financial administration. Joep and Imke got married in September 2001.

j.schellekens@academybartels.com

DaniËlle Katsman-Koenders
Daniëlle is the stable manager, the instructor and the stable rider at Academy Bartels. She graduated as an ORUN instructor and competes at Prix St Georges level. Daniëlle trains several horses for owners and she is in charge of the stallions and the other competition horses at the Academy. During the training weeks she teaches theoretical and practical lessons. Daniëlle also does private teaching at the Academy.

Anja Abbring
Anja works as the assistant stable manager at Academy Bartels since August 2005. She studied equine husbandry and had her training period at Academy Bartels. Anja's daily activities include working in the stables and welcoming the training guests who visit the Academy with their horses. Anja currently takes a course to become an ORUN instructor. She also competes with her own horse Romeo.

Wendy Maertens
Wendy worked as a dentist assistant, before she started working at Academy Bartels at the end of 2005. After finishing her study she ended up with horses anyway. Wendy works in the Academy stables and takes care of the horses. She also competes with her horse Pandor.

Martijn Lingeman
Martijn is the last newcomer at Academy Bartels. He works here since the spring of 2006 and spends his days in the stables, taking care of the horses and their environment. Martijn studies equine sports in Deurne and is also an active rider.

Annet Broeckx
Annet is the project manager of the popular training weeks at Academy Bartels. She also manages various Academy activities, such as courses, trainings and the international Global Dressage Forum. Before Annet joined the Academy team, she worked at the Rabobank for twenty years. Annet can be reached on Monday from 8.30 a.m. till 5 p.m. Tuesday till Thursday Annet is in the office from 8.30 a.m. till 12.00 p.m.

a.broeckx@academybartels.com

Evelien Bouten
Evelien studied equine management at the HAS, one of the Academy's partners. She is project manager of the Horse Academy Foundation and is the project manager of the educational event Horse Event. Evelien can be reached in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8.30 a.m. till 17.00 p.m.

e.bouten@academybartels.com

Mirella van Leeuwen
Mirella studied equine management at the HAS Den Bosch. She is the project manager of the new Animal Event and has an organizing role in events as Horse Event, Global Dressage Forum and the Talent development program 'Rabobank Talentenplan'. Mirella can be reached in the office on Monday and Thursday from 13.00 p.m. till 17.00 p.m. and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30 a.m. till 17.00 p.m.

m.van.leeuwen@academybartels.com

Marleen Teuling
Marleen is the project manager of the Hoefslag Master Classes and is responsible for the publicity of Horse Event and Animal Event. She studied International Veterinary Nursing and Equine Management at the HAS Den Bosch. Marleen can be reached in the office from Monday till Thursday, from 8.30 a.m. till 17.00 p.m.

m.teuling@academybartels.com

HENNIE VAN DEN BROEK
Hennie maintains the office and hotel rooms. Besides working as a housekeeper at Academy Bartels, she works as a taxi driver for several hours per week.

FRANS VAN DEN BROEK
Taking care of the gardens, plants and all the greenery at the Academy Bartels facilities are the most important tasks of gardner Frans. In addition to a gardening course, Frans studies tree care and garden architecture.

RIANNE VAN DEN BROEK
Rianne works as a housekeeper at Academy Bartels since 2004. She studies health care and after working in the retail business for more than twelve years, she came to Academy Bartels.