We have three horses at home — my wife and daughter also ride. My wife is active in competitive sports, I mainly ride recreationally. Five days a week, I sit in the saddle, on my own horse. A native from Groningen, bred by himself. Then I head out into the dunes and go to the beach, leave the hustle and bustle behind and clear my head. For me, that is the strength of the island.

With your horse across the bottom of the sea

I regularly visit the Groede and the Gria at the front. We only cross the Boschplaat a few times a year, because the weather and tide have to be really good for that. Twice a year, we take a tour across the Boschplaat: via the dunes and woods to pole 22, and then cross to the Tweede Duintjes at the shack. At low tide, we then go back via the Wadden Sea side. Then you really walk your horse across the seabed — very special, but you need to know exactly where to ride. You stay on the sand, because on the west side, you're in the clay in no time. And fog or poor visibility is really a no-go. It's not without risk, you need to know what you're doing.

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I also used to guide day trips for the Terpstra covered wagon company, but now there are few who really take their horse across the Boschplaat. Sometimes we go out with De Terschellinger Ruiters, I would love to participate. This way, I can also show the young people how special this area is.

I also used to guide day trips for the Terpstra covered wagon company, but now there are few who really take their horse across the Boschplaat. Sometimes we go out with De Terschellinger Ruiters, I would love to participate. This way, I can also show the young people how special this area is.

Always something to see along the way

What I love about the Boschplaat is that nature always surprises you. Recently, I was driving on the North Sea side and I thought I saw a seal in the water at first. When I saw it correctly, it turned out to be a porpoise. Not one, but an entire group. A special sight. And sometimes you just drive past the goose nests. You can look into it from your horse. Moments like that stick with me.

The Bosch plate keeps moving

‍Over the years, I do see the Bosch plate changing. There is excitement in some places; where there used to be a large seagull colony, there are now two meters high reeds. And some paths are slowly closing. This raises questions: should you intervene in a big way, or not? Major measures simply have major consequences. Nature is simply changing, and it is important to find a good balance. In any case, I hope that I can keep doing my tour of the Bosch plate for a long time.