Stal ter Leydonck & Stevens Sporthorses
Stal ter Leydonck & Stevens Sporthorses
Stijn Stevens
Verleydonckstraat 15
9080 Lochristi
Belgium
T: +32 472 28 70 77
E: stalterleydonck@gmail.com
Instagram: sb.sporthorses_stalterleydonck
Facebook: SB Sporthorses/Stal Ter Leydonck
For the past ten years, Stijn Stevens has been running his professional horse business in Lochristi, near Ghent. At Stal ter Leydonck, his breeding program produces five to ten foals each year, which he and his team raise, train, produce in the sport, and eventually sell. In addition, his company Stevens Sporthorses focuses on sales of a wide range of showjumpers—from promising young talents and quick-turnover horses to reliable amateur mounts and horses ready for the higher levels of competition.
The team at Stevens Sporthorses includes two riders—one of whom is his partner Louke Baeten, who competes horses from age six up to the 1.50m level—and one full-time groom. Stijn himself handles all horse purchases and sales, manages the daily operations, and supports his riders at shows. He also creates videos, maintains his professional network, and occasionally rides himself. "What I love about this business," Stijn says, "is discovering a good horse, developing it, improving it, and selling it at just the right time."
Stijn favors horses that are athletically built with good feet and tight and dry legs. "They need to have healthy bloodlines and good balance. I like them careful, lightfooted, scopey and with a top mentality."
Through Dutch Horse Trading, Stijn presents horses from various stages: from 2- and 3-year-olds free-jumpers to green but talented 5- and 6-year-olds, as well as easygoing amateur horses between 1.10m and 1.40m level.
Through Dutch Horse Trading, Stijn presents horses from various stages: from 2- and 3-year-olds free-jumpers to green but talented 5- and 6-year-olds, as well as easygoing amateur horses between 1.10m and 1.40m level.
"I enjoy being part of Dutch Horse Trading because it's a fair and transparent platform for selling horses," he explains. "It's as if the clients tried the horses at home—even if they're on the other side of the world. Together, we reach a much larger market than we could on our own. The fast and efficient handling after the auction is another big plus."
Stevens' breeding and sales program has produced several notable horses, including Oasis vd Bucxtale (1.60m with Nathalie Dean), Paradise ter Leydonck (1.50m with Paris Sellon), and Ozzy Ter Leydonck (1.55m with Angelica Merazzi). Dutch Horse Trading has also led to many satisfied customers—for example, the buyer of Congina PS, who was sold to Germany for €47,000.
According to Stijn, giving online buyers a complete picture of the horse is essential: clear videos, accurate information, and good conformation photos. "That's how you build trust. And trust is the foundation of every good sale."