Internship

Anique Meuwissen & Fiona Meuwissen

Internship: School Citaverde, Roermond, December 2010 - Juni 2011

Anique: My internship at Divine-Stars, in a word: happiness;! Claire will not only learn you things about horses, but also teaches you to learn more things about yourself. How you learn the most and how do you get the best out of yourself.

During my internship I mainly have been working with Zahra, a very nice mare with character and sometimes with a small guidebook. From Zahra, I learned a lot, especially not losing my patience. I saw the forward progress of Zahra while lunging her and during the lessons, but also when I saw when something was not working and what the reason was for this..

Also with Boyke I have worked and learned a lot with the help and advice from Claire. Claire is a very open person, she always accepts you for who you are. If you had to do something new, you should first try. But Claire was always around, to help you when needed.

Everything I have learned from Claire, I now use with the horses I train these days. And I still miss my time with her. I gained a very pleasant experience at Divine Stars. Dear Claire, thanks for all your help and advice. But also for your wise words and your wonderful character! And of course I wish you enjoyment and good luck with everything what will come in your path. In summary : Thanks for everything and keep following your heart, like you always do!

Fiona: Dear Claire, I am really pleased that planed internship didn't work out and I was able to do my internship at your barn. Let say it was blessing in disguise! You are always cheerful and you can always make me laugh, you are a very special person and you helped me with many things. I learned a lot from you, not only with the horses but as well personally! During my internship, I have been through a lot, good and less things but I still had the best internship with you.

I want to thank you for your help and advice with Ritchie and certainly not to forget that you have transported us to go for a nice ride in the forests, something I really wanted after all! And also thank you for my vacation work at your friend's place (René Nijenhuis) to be a dog sitter at the Marting Gaus School Venray!

Patty Curvers

Internship: School Citaverde, Roermond September -November 2010

I really enjoyed my internship at Claire and her horses. Claire pays a lot of attention to her trainees and, as distinct from many other stables, she really wants them to learn something.

What I really appreciated was the fact I was able to work in my own rhythm, which is to me personally very important. I could do things in a way that I thought it was good. When Claire had a different view of certain matters she would tell me and also explained to me why she would like to see it in a different way.

Claire was always interested in other views of a matter, or a different way of thinking. I was able to train the horses in a way I thought it was good for them. Without noticing it, Claire always kept a critical eye on me. This was very important to me: I never had the feeling being watched or judged on the way I handled a matter.

Unfortunately, due to miscommunications with school, my internship ended earlier than it was planned to last. Unfortunately Claire, because I would have loved to be surrounded by you and your horses for a longer period of time.

Claire, thanks for the short, but pleasurable and educational time!

Renske Findhammer

Internship: NHB Deurne September 2009 / Juni 2010

I've finished my first school year, unfortunately this also means my internship at your stable has come to an end. Thank goodness this doesn't implicate I've to miss you, the horses and Anouk in the upcoming year. Even though I will be having my next internship at Louis, I hope you'll still have many tips for me!

When I think of the past year I can only look back with great pleasure. I have learned so much from you. I entered this world as a rookie and nobody could have guide me better through this world than you. Every day I enjoyed coming to your stable and every day I came back home with a satisfied feeling. Every day was different, but always informative. Also, a lot has changed this past year. I assisted you moving the horses to a better place, Ambre was sold, Apollo's training was set in motion as well as –not to forget- your Prince Stakenborg; you're now trotting him around already... In a word: my internship at Divine Stars was great!

Dear Claire, thank you for everything!

Amanda van Deur

Internship: School Citaverde, Roermond November 2009 - February 2010

I found Divine-Stars two years ago on the Aequor site, directly I had a good feeling about this stable. I head off to my feelings when I have to make decisions, I listen to my feelings and make a choice. However, there was a stage address closer to my home and went for that one.

Because of my graduation this school year and the wishes to continue my education as a veterinarian assistant I found a veterinarian clinic. At the last moment this was cancelled and I had nowhere to go. So I decided to try Divine Stars because that feeling I had before was still there. And so it had to be, Claire had one place left for an internship. I noticed during my first week that Claire and I were on the same line of the horses and our sense of it. And that was really a pleasant experience, in all my courses I had only had one other stable where I could feel at home and could share my vision.

To form a vision you have to experience things, and bring those pieces together in a puzzle. By Divine-Stars, I found the last missing piece of my puzzle. I'm in my final year, and it's great to see that there are companies such as Claire. Her horses are on the first place, and trainees get several opportunities. So I got the chance to train her gelding Apollo. When Claire asked me to ride Apollo, first I found it really exciting, but it didn't took long and we had our ‘click'. Apollo became a true buddy to me. He has something special, something familiar.

I am pleased that with my training with Apollo I am able to make Claire proud of Apollo. I am very thankful, I just even now my internship has ended, I am still able to train him. Thank you Claire, for the confidence you gave me, and the fact that you're more than a internship mentor, but, also became a friend.

Dear Claire, I wish you everything for the future, but especially for you and your horses; health and happiness on your way. I hope I can continue in the future to stay a part of Divine-Stars. That Divine Stars may be a example for many other stables, where love and wellbeing for the animals will always stay number one!

Thanks for everything!

Marloes Reuten

Internship: School Citaverde, Roermond August 2008 / July 2009

Each day at your stables was different, with Roza and Anouk have we seen a lot of things. From the daily training of the horses, untill the castration of Appie. Each day there was again something new to learn.

Also you helped me a lot to get my confidence back, especially with the young Amber, in the beginning I was a bit uncertain to train her. You learned that I have to trust on myself and feel what the best result had. Especially from Zahra, Amber, and later Ukina I learned a lot! These are all different horses, have to be trained on different ways. Also from Libi I learned a lot, before I came to you I had never worked with stallions before.

I also want to thank Gaby, for the help she gave me!

Dear Claire, thank you for everything, as soon as I have achieved my license, I will come by!

A big hug for you and all your horses.

Kiki Bosman & Michelle van Heugten

Internship: School Citaverde, Horst December 2008 / July 2009

Claire,

Our internship period was a nice time, we have discovered many different horses with all their own characters. You let us discover how to train the horses on their best (ride, lung, etc). It is important to be calm and consistent in dealing with ( young) horses.

Michelle: Ambre has a very strong will, it clearly indicates what she does like to do and does not want to do. In some horses, you see how important it is always to be clear and consistent, as that happens Ambre will certainly enjoy a beautiful future.

Kiki: The most I worked with Libi and Ukina. I noticed that Libi competed for many years in the sport. All the buttons are still there! For his age he is still doing very well. In the beginning he will try to challenge you, but when he knows who the boss is you enjoy a great time with him. Ukina is a fine and fast horse. It was very nice to ride her and she teached me how important it is to have a balance with riding.

Claire we wish you all the success in the future! Thanks for everything!

..

Roza Jansen

Internship: NHD Deurne September 2008 / April 2009

Claire,

During my intern ship at your place, I learned to believe in myself again!.
Before I met you, my self-confidence was undermined by some people. I learned back the basic skills, now its time for me to continue.

Thanks for all, Roza

Mandy Raven & Jeanine Geerlings

Internship: School Citaverde Horst, December / January 2008 & 2009

Mandy: When I started my internship at Divine Stars I was unsure of what lay ahead of me. Up untill now I have never worked with horses. In the 10 weeks of my internship at Claire's stable I learned so much. Now I know how to groom, lunge and ride horses, though I'm not as good as those who have years of experience. Even so, I am proud of my achievements.
Claire, I would like to that you for everything you have done for me.
An internship like the one I've had at Divine Stars is rare to come by!

Jeanine Geerlings : My internship at Divine Stars was a lot of fun, I would do it all over again if I could!
It was very educational; I learned alot, even for someone who is already familiar with horses!
The most important thing I have learned is that you have to have patience while working with horses, and that you must always be alert when you are handling stallions. I will miss all the horses at Divine Stars and of course Claire aswell!! I would like to thank Claire and her horses for my internship!

Sanne Heesterbeek

Internschip: NHB Deurne September 2007 / May 2008

During my internship at Divine Stars I learned a lot, but especially how to follow your instincts and feelings. Claire showed me that it is unnecessary to doubt your gut feeling. Your instincts allow you to make good decisions that you can fully support.

I also learned that you sometimes have to make decisions about things you might be unsure about. You can't be good at everything, try to discover areas in which you excel and be open to learning and growing.  

I will remember my internship at Divine Stars because I was given many opportunities to learn and work with specialists in the field. I have seen many professionals working with horses, something that perfectly fits with and adds extra dimension to my study. 

I have seen horses come and go during my internship. Trained horses were sold to other yards, taking new steps in pursuing their careers. Young horses came to start their adventure at Divine Stars. 

As I am writing this, my Divine Stars adventure is coming to an end. Like the horses, I am taking new steps into realizing my dreams, but my journey continues with a bag full of knowledge and experience I have gained at Divine Stars. 

Claire, Thank you for everything! We will keep in touch!

Marrie Vink

Internship: School Citaverde Roermond, 2008

I have learned alot during my internship at Divine-Stars, for example how horses are trained for competative jumping, which training methods are good, and how you can help problem horses.
I appreciate the chance I was given to ride the young horses and to actively teach them new things.
I am very grateful to Divine Stars for everything and I will soon go back to visit Claire and the horses

Anouk Bernards

Internship: School Citaverde Roermond, 2007

I have learned a lot at Divine Stars. I would like to start by saying that I have had a wonderful internship period! Everyday I woke up with a smile and enthusiastically went to the stables.
 
Patience is a special gift and is key in handling horses! That is the first thing that I learned at Divine Stars. I learned where my boundaries are, and was open in admitting them. Claire never pushed me to do anything above my capabilities.

I gained some self esteem and I learned to trust myself! Trusting in myself, trusting that I AM capable, but also trusting in the business of keeping horses. Sometimes you see things or experience events that make you doubt yourself. At Divine Stars I learned how things are done properly!
I am very thankful to Claire for everything she has taught me and I will definitely cherish and use the knowledge I have gained at Divine Stars.
 
Claire, Thank you for everything! See you soon!

Desiree van Rijt

Internship: School Citaverde Horst, April / June 2007

My internship period was a very fun, interactive and educative time in which I learned alot from Claire, her warmblood horses and of course her pony Saré!
Bindhu (sired by Turbo) showed me that warmblooded horses exsist that can be coldblooded about sails and umberella's; items which were torn to bits by divine's yearling stallion Stakenborg, who found it nescessary to show that as a young man you shouldnt be affraid of such things. He is proudly following in the footsteps of his father Libertador!
Saré showed me that she has a real talent for jumping, that is when it suits her...and if her rider is willing haha!
Claire has alot of heart for her horses and those who care for them. She has taught me alot, too much to list, but I am forever grateful! I enjoyed every minute with her and the horses at the yard!
Claire, Thank you for who you are and for what you do! I have shared a special time with you and the horses! I wish you all the best in the future with your Divine Stars! You will get there! My greetings to everyone at the stable, including Clous! We will keep in touch !