Sjoerd Walda

Sjoerd Walda was born on December 30, 1827, at Grennsted in the district of Vöhren. He was born into a wealthy family that owned the Walden neighbourhood. The Grennsted farm had a long-standing reputation for breeding horses, and Sjoerd grew up around them. He developed a deep love and fascination for these majestic animals, spending countless hours riding, studying, and even drawing them. He adored the countryside and nature, determined to protect the lands and forests of the region.   Sjoerd was fortunate that his parents were able to arrange a private tutor for him. The tutor taught him general subjects such as maths, history, and geography, but also focused on economics, which would be necessary when Sjoerd assumed control of the estate. Additionally, he had several teachers who specialized in horses. One day, he attended a class in horse riding and racing taught by Johanna Voorman. During the class, the two discovered their mutual love for the animals and dedication to their trade. They fell in love and married two years later on May 24, 1845. After the wedding, Johanna moved in with Sjoerd, bringing three of her favourite horses with her. The couple then focused on breeding and training horses.   In 1850, Sjoerd took full control of the estate. He wasted no time in transforming and expanding the business. This included constructing new stables, acquiring horses, and offering services for horse owners to stable their animals on the farm for a monthly fee. This decision turned out to be highly successful, and the business prospered like never before. Additionally, Sjoerd Walda started an association dedicated to protecting the geological and cultural heritage in the area. This included restricting logging in the Grenn & Tann forest, protecting the banks of the rivers Kild and Holle, and preserving the structure of the agricultural landscape. He also planted new trees to prevent further desertification of the open plains and heath fields.   On August 11, 1853, Sjoerd and Johanna welcomed their daughter Claire. Upon Claire's birth, she was given a young horse named Polly, born around the same time as her. Polly became Claire's favourite horse, and she learned horseback riding on her.   Sjoerd is 1.89m tall, weighs 95kg, and has a fair complexion, dark blonde hair, and blue eyes. He is known for his gentle character, hands-on work ethic, and perseverance.