Laurence van Gansen

My name is Laurence Van Gansen. I am 18 years old and I live in Geel, Belgium. I am a driven, caring, and ambitious horse lover. I am always motivated to continue developing myself in the sport. Authenticity and perseverance are very important to me. My passion started at a young age: at five years old, I was already waiting to take over my brother’s pony. Unfortunately, he stopped riding, but by then I had already caught the horse bug. Horses give me peace, challenge, and a sense of belonging. What started as a hobby grew into a lifestyle.

I am a first-year student in Accountancy and Taxation, which I combine with my life in equestrian sport. My horses always come first, but I also find it important to share my experiences on social media to inspire others. And of course, spending time with friends and family is part of my life.

At the moment, I have a 19-year-old pony named Meggie (officially Hooghei’s Megain) and a five-year-old horse named Uni (officially Universum Du Jade). My grandmother also has an older horse and an older pony, so the horse virus definitely runs in the family. I got Meggie when I was eight years old. She was well-behaved, but had only been under saddle for one year. Since then, we have won several prizes, including three championship podium finishes and Reserve Champion at the Regional Championships in 2025. This proves that if you truly want something, anything is possible! My current goal is to reach higher levels in the sport with Uni, but above all to make my horses stronger, healthier, and happier.

I discovered Hartog through social media. They know their products well and offer free, personalised feeding advice. In 2023, Meggie moved back home. Because I wanted to know which feed would suit her best, I contacted Hartog — and they helped us tremendously! Hartog stands for quality and natural ingredients, which perfectly aligns with my vision. I currently use Hartog Daily, Hartog Grass Mix, Hartog Digest, and of course the amazing mash, which can be fed dry or soaked. And let’s not forget the Hartog Harties — healthy and delicious! My personal favourite is Hartog Digest. When Uni had loose droppings, I immediately contacted Hartog, and within a week his droppings had improved significantly.

I am active on social media and love sharing my horse life, training sessions, competitions, and daily care to inspire others. You can follow me on Instagram at @newforest_meggie. I am especially looking forward to the further development of my horses, both in competitions and in terms of health. Setting new goals and hoping all our dreams come true! I look forward to continuing to grow, both in the sport and online.

Kind regards,
Laurence Van Gansen