We received the following annual report from the Zeeland Ring Riders Association:
What a year! The Zeeland Ring Riders Association turned 75, which is no small feat. We celebrated in style.
Pub quiz 15 February
We kicked off with brain teasers at the pub quiz. The questions were not only about ring riding, but also about music, general knowledge, etc., all with a Zeeland twist. There was so much interest that we had to put a stop to attendance. Young and old alike enthusiastically took part in the quiz. A great start to the anniversary year.
Biting and Biking 19 April
On the Saturday before Easter, around 250 members (with their families) got on their bikes. A pleasant 40 km route had been mapped out across Walcheren. There were seven stops along the route where participants could enjoy refreshments (bites). These stops also featured a variety of activities, ranging from solving rebuses and playing boules to a photo quiz. At the end of the tour at the Gouwe Gheijt, many participants reviewed the day while enjoying live music.
Youth competition 3 May
In the spirit of connection, we took residents of the Korsakov Expertise Centre to the ring riding competition in Koudekerke by horse-drawn tram. They enjoyed the youth ring riding spectacle while sipping coffee or tea and eating cake. Of course, they were also brought home by horse-drawn tram. All in all, it was a wonderful day for the residents and their carers.
Senior competition 22 July
A competition for members aged 50 and over. In addition to traditional costumes, it was a day full of traditions: tower clock prize, wooden spoon, sûûkerkomme, jonassen, laurel wreaths for the oldest participants and a joint lunch.
This time, residents of the Simnia Care Centre were picked up by bus in Domburg in the morning. They enjoyed the ring riding spectacle while having a cup of coffee/tea with cake. Among the residents of Simnia were several parents and family members of participants. There were also former ring riders and/or sjezen riders.
In the afternoon, the children from Walcheren Childcare took their turn. The sun train picked up children from various locations in Walcheren and took them to Meliskerke. They too came to experience the ring riding atmosphere and were able to practise in the running tracks themselves. There was also a hobby horse race and they could have their photo taken like real ring riders. It was a day with an alabaster edge. All the requirements for a perfect senior competition were met.
Pimping events and musical performances
The Zeeland Ring Walking Championship was expanded with an inflatable cushion and sjezen riding. The participants went home with a beautiful anniversary T-shirt. At the Zeeland Sjezen Championship, the participants were treated to anniversary cakes and the young supporters went wild on the inflatable cushion. At the end of the afternoon on the first folkloric day, Naomi and Ruben de Keijzer played cheerful music on the Abdijplein. On the second folkloric day, Rien Dekker sang the Zeeland anthem live for Julia Crucq. We won’t forget this anytime soon!
Wine tasting 25 October
Just under 100 people enjoyed the flavours that different grapes and countries have to offer at Amicitia. A tasting of a number of wines, a port and a liqueur, including snacks. The journey took us from Italy, via Spain to Chile and everything in between. With a fantastic explanation by Mandy from Zeeuws Wijntje, it was a very enjoyable and pleasant evening.
Winners/losers anniversary table
In line with the connection, there was a ludic action this year. This season, the winners and losers of a number of competitions were invited to dine together. These were the following competitions: Vlissingen Open Competition, Second Folklore Day in Middelburg and the Zeeland Sjezen Championship in Ritthem. It will be a mixed group at the anniversary table at La Vita Bella. This will take place in February 2026.
Predictions
At the beginning of the year, all members were asked to predict the winners of four competitions. The interim results were published throughout the season, with varying leaders. But it remained exciting until the anniversary day, when the winner was announced. The winner was, unsurprisingly, the walking ZRV encyclopaedia Sjaak Janse. Sjaak received the cheque for a dinner for two at Gasterij 51 from Sinterklaas. Sint had put his assistant poet to work.
Exhibition and presentation Simnia 13 November
An exhibition about ring riding has been set up on the ground floor of the Simnia care centre. This exhibition tells the story of the origins of ring riding and how it has developed into the (top) sport it is today. We also gave a presentation at Simnia about ring riding in earlier times. The residents recognised many of the older photographs. They were also able to test their own sharpness in the running track. The afternoon was well received and greatly appreciated. This will be followed up in 2026 at the ‘t Gasthuis care centre in Middelburg.
Anniversary Day, 15 November
The finale of the anniversary year! With around 400 guests, Twistvliet was packed to the rafters. It was a day of celebrations with activities for young and old from afternoon until evening, such as a photo exhibition, playful ring stabbing, a rodeo horse and an inflatable cushion. So there was something for everyone. At dinner, a magician amazed the guests with his sleight of hand and astonishing tricks. Various musical performances took place in different rooms. It was a wonderful end to the anniversary year.
Communication
Omroep Zeeland regularly covered the events. They visited the youth competition and the senior competition and made some great TV reports. We were also featured on the radio a number of times. We shared information and photos via social media.
We also revamped our website, www.ringrijden.nl, during this anniversary year. By professionalising our website, we have laid the foundations for the future. It can be filled with content to safeguard our historic folk sport in the cultural sector. By combining its use with an up-to-date calendar, it will remain current and continue to be visited by participants and spectators.
With the anniversary activities and revamped communication tools, the Zeeland Ringriders Association, cultural heritage and a piece of history are being put on the (digital) map.
The Hurgronje Family Fund has made a financial contribution to the anniversary activities.
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