Hi, my name is Micky, and this is the story of two extraordinary horses who changed my life and my family’s life forever.

Hidde has been with us for over twelve years. He made my dream come true

achieving the long wished dream to become a Z dressage rider in the Netherlands and then carried my daughter, Iris, through her dreams in dressage, competing successfully in the Netherlands to ZZL level. In England and the United Arab Emirates to Small Tour level. We celebrated beautiful memories, moments, wins and podiums.

Then everything changed. Hidde developed a serious hoof disease, and for the past one and a half years our lives have revolved around his treatment and rehabilitation. Every small step forward has felt like a victory.

Hipolito’s journey is just as remarkable. Originally schooled in classic dressage in Spain, he eventually found his way to Qatar, where I met him six years ago. He didn’t just teach me how to become a better rider, he helped me believe in myself again. His patience, kindness and generosity transformed my confidence, and everything he taught me is now helping me guide Hidde through his recovery. Now, after years of giving so much, arthritis is asking him to slow down. He has earned the right to spend the rest of his life simply being a horse.

These horses have given far more than ribbons or competition results.

They have given us confidence.

They have carried our dreams.

They have stood beside us through some of life’s greatest joys and hardest moments.

Today, both horses are living with me in Abu Dhabi.

My greatest wish is to bring Hidde and Hipolito back to the Netherlands, where they can spend the rest of their lives enjoying the peaceful retirement they have truly earned.

Unfortunately, transporting horses internationally is incredibly expensive. Specialist flights, veterinary inspections, health certificates, quarantine procedures and professional horse transport make the total cost far beyond what I can save on my own.

Why don’t I simply let my husband pay for it?

The answer is simple.

My husband has always supported me without hesitation. Over the past years he has lovingly paid for every veterinary treatment, every rehabilitation expense and every unexpected bill these horses have needed. Never once has he complained. His love and support have made it possible for me to keep fighting for Hidde’s recovery and Hipolito’s joint injections so he is without pain.

But this part, sending them to the Netherlands for their retirement,

this is what I want to achieve myself without his financial support.

Living abroad has made that much harder than I ever imagined. I have genuinely tried to find work that suited both my experience and our family situation, but despite my best efforts, I never found the opportunity I hoped for.

Asking for help is not easy for me.

But I also believe that sometimes people are given the opportunity to become part of something beautiful.

If you choose to support this journey, you are not simply helping pay for transport.

You are helping two horses who spent their lives giving everything they had finally come home to enjoy their retirement they deserve.

Every donation, no matter how small, brings Hidde and Hipolito one step closer to the retirement they have more than earned.

And if donating isn’t possible, sharing our story would mean just as much.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping me keep a promise to two horses who have given me far more than I could ever repay.

Because this isn’t about what they owe me.

It’s about what I owe them.

With all my gratitude,

Micky