BEATRIECE 4661 STER-PREFERENT (STAM 60):
In March 1957 Durk Zwanenburg, who later (193 and 1987) won the Dutch Driving championships, hitched Governante 2989 to the carriage and drove from Lippenhuizen to Kortzwaag, where he had her served by Doede 178 at Broar Kylstra's service station.  It was thirty years ago, but Zwanenburg remembers it as if it happened yesterday:
'In the main street of Gorredijk I saw her walking, reflected in the shop windows.  It was as if she floated.  This horse 'gripped' me.  I've never had such a horse again.  Governante was keen, had broad movements and couldn't be stopped, she was indestructible, but honest through and through.'
Governante came from an Ynte 130-mother and would have inherited her gaits from this stallion.  In Geurts' mare pedigrees was can find the particulars relating to pedigree 60, thoroughbreds from 1924 onwards.
Beatriece was the result of this mating.  She was neat, and as a two-year old top in a large category of the Central Inspection of 1960.  Zwanenburg remembers that Jhr Sminia was wild about this horse.  Beatrice was modern, she was slighter than the others and she was strong, especially in the hindquarters.  When entered in 1961, she was designated star, measuring 1.60m.  She was described as follows: 'Rich forehand,good withers and good, hard legs.'
Beatriece was put to the test on the trips to A.J. Bourna's service station.  She would cover the 9-mile stretch at a brisk trot without rest.  She was a 'wall crusher' according to Zwanenburg.  Twelve years old Beatriece passed into the hands Ms Maat.  She told me that occasionally she was a bit afraid, because of this mare's temperament.  Pulling the hay tedder she would go faster than her father with tractor and tedder.  You always had stripes in your hands holding her.  Beatriece proved exceptionally fertile.  In 18 years she was in foal 17 times.  In Bouma's 'Het Friese Paard', page 158 there is a picture of her son Frits, who is building up a career in Geneva as a jumper.
The model mare Pauliena, brought three Star daughters, who all together have three granddaughters.  During and after her 18th year, Beatriece gave birth to another four daughters.  The exceptionally fine Moarke (size 1.64) by Ulrig was awarded 1A in the category 4-6 year stars on the breeding days 1981/1982 in Wolvega.  Olghaa was very popular as a riding horse, Sjikke was best performing riding horse on the 1983 breeding day in Ermelo and Triensje once ranked high in Esbeek.  Bianca, daughter of Durk, was a good saddle showhorse.

D.G. Wiersma (1997)

Article reproduced from the FPS Marebook, pages 523-524 inclusive, volume 2