The organisation of Military Boekelo-Enschede has advised, with great sadness, of the sudden death of Jan Stokkentré, co-founder and former course builder of the major eventing competition in the Netherlands.
Boekelo Chairman Robert Zandstra says it is hard to say goodbye to an "icon, who for fifty years has been of great value to the eventing sport in our country and the Military on Twente soil in particular."
"First as a co-initiator and later for many years as a course builder, Jan contributed enormously to giving our competition the international status we still enjoy. Even after he stopped as a course builder, he stayed very close to 'his Boekelo' and he was always at our side with advice and assistance."
Military Boekelo-Enschede's position on the calendar as the end of season finale to the FEI Eventing Nations Cup has brought it international recognition and, what began as an equestrian event has now become one of the largest outdoor business-to-business events in the Netherlands, attracting over 60,000 visitors.
“Jan was always a great initiator. He took the lead when we set up the at the beginning of this century. This ultimately led to the start of our Founders' Club, which to this day is an important support for our event."
