Hartsop Farm Equine Training Centre
Ian Vandenberghe
Ian Vandenberghe has played a central role in the practice & dissemination of
Monty’s methods in the UK for over 30 years. As a certified Master Instructor Ian
runs his own Cotswold training yard, Hartsop Farm, working with a wide variety of
equines and training people. In partnership with Kelly Marks ‘Intelligent Horsemanship’ organisation Ian has delivered training to thousands of UK and European students.
Ian's story...
Ian's equestrian knowledge & experience is expansive. From the teenage Ian competing in dressage to national championship level in his native Belgium before training and practicing as a farrier, to the young man who moved to England to further his equestrian education. Having achieved his BHSAI Ian secured a teaching post at West Oxfordshire College from which he was inspired to enter the thoroughbred industry where he became a highly respected stud manger and ‘stallion man’. His old college had watched Ian progress and 5 years later persuaded him back into teaching, as a senior lecturer in equine reproduction on their new diploma course. It was during this time, early 1990’s, that Ian sought out a meeting with Monty during a visit he was making to Newmarket. He identified an empathy with Monty’s approach that he wished to learn more about. When Kelly Marks joined the teaching team at Witney Ian found a fellow enthusiast for Monty’s work and together, in collaboration with Monty, developed and delivered the very first training course in his methods. Initially run as a 10-week course within the college, Ian soon recognised that a modular structure would be more accessible for many students who could embrace a broader syllabus. This iteration of the training course eventually found its home at Hartsop Farm.
With successful courses running in the UK in 1999 Ian visited the team at Flag is Up to assist in setting up the training programme to run from the International Learning Centre. Over the following decade, in addition to delivering courses, Ian also acted as UK Tour manager for Monty. Hartsop Farm continues to work with horses for starting, handling and a range of remedial issues. Ian's expertise with foals continues to be recognised as he also still takes mares in for foaling & foal handing. His experience with untouched horses is also regularly called upon, skills that were enhanced by visiting and working with the wild horses of Namibia. Ian is always keen to emphasise the importance of teamwork as he recognises the vital part played by his wife Sandy (queen of the nervous or untouched horse, specialist expertise in training to harness) and his rider/fellow trainer Jake Harris (UK Tour rider & Monty’s representative at Sandringham in the annual starting of young thoroughbreds of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II). He recognises that delivering the very best to the horses that come into his care is achieved through a special combination of the talents that each team member brings. Individual & small group learning opportunities are still offered at Hartsop, check the website or contact Ian to discuss your requirements.
