International equestrian event manager Yvonne van Bergen has been selected as the director of sport for the newly expanded 2019 Palm Beach Masters Series. Held at Deeridge Farms in the heart of Wellington, the winter series features three of show jumping’s biggest events, including the Palm Beach Masters CSI4*-W, featuring the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Wellington; the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of the United States; and the Deeridge Derby.
Running her own equestrian event management company for the past 12 years, van Bergen has managed some of the biggest horse shows in the world. She is currently the show secretary for the Dutch Masters at Indoor Brabant in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where she works closely with Frank Kemperman, the renowned show manager for CHIO Aachen. She is also show secretary for the Longines FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses at Ermelo in The Netherlands. A self-described perfectionist, van Bergen is known for her superb organizational skills and attention to detail for every participant at the shows, including riders, horses, grooms, sponsors and spectators.
Van Bergen has deep roots in equestrian sport, having cultivated her passion for horses on her family’s farm in The Netherlands. After graduating from the Schoevers Institute in Hilversum, van Bergen worked as a groom for Dutch rider Henk van de Broek in Europe and then Lisa Tarnopol in the U.S. before returning to her homeland to compete her six horses. To support her passion, van Bergen taught lessons, helped manage horse shows as a volunteer, and worked in equestrian retail and real estate before taking a position at the Dutch Equestrian Federation, where she worked for over a decade. Starting her own business was the next logical step, and her diverse background has made her an asset to horse shows worldwide.
“We are delighted that Yvonne van Bergen is coming on board as director of sport for our 2019 Palm Beach Masters Series,” said Lou Jacobs, who co-founded the series along with siblings Charlie Jacobs and Katie Robinson. “She will be a great asset to our world-class shows, and we look forward to working alongside someone who is so highly respected in the industry.”
The events will be hosted at Deeridge Farms in Wellington. Award-winning landscaping surrounds the custom-built showgrounds and the facilities that host the series, which include two masterfully created competition arenas — a Grand Prix turf arena and an all-weather sand arena. Additionally, there are two Bermuda grass schooling arenas — one designated for FEI and the other for non-FEI competitors — along with an all-weather schooling arena adjacent to the competition arena and another located near the stables.
Further information on the Palm Beach Masters Series is available at www.palmbeachmasters.com.
