N.C. de Graaf stands for Natascha Corina de Graaf. I have been a keen horsewoman for over twenty years. During that time I have developed into a highly skilled dressage rider.
When I was fifteen, my family moved to New Jersey (United States). While we lived there, I trained as a make-up artist and beautician. I also took horse riding lessons from Ashley Holzer and trained with Susan van Cuijk. Through Susan I found one of my current horses: the stallion Loverboy (Lucky Boy x Recruut). I competed in several dressage events with Loverboy in the US, including events in Florida and Wellington on ZZ-zwaar level.
In 2004, I moved back to the Netherlands. I now live in Loosdrecht with my own family. Once I was back in my native country, I took lessons from Alex van Silfhout on the stallion Loverboy and the mare Promiss (Gribaldi x Nabuur) for two years. I also discovered a talented horse showing great promise: ZZ-top M (Turbo Magic x Samber).
In 2007, I started taking lessons at dressage stable Van Baalen. Up until 2009, I was trained by Coby and Marlies van Baalen on ZZ-top M, Loverboy and Promiss. I trained daily under excellent supervision.
In 2009, I sadly had to have my mare Promiss put to sleep due to a broken pastern. After her death I found Pyasso (Jetset-d x Naturel) through Grand Prix rider Tommie Visser, who has been my trainer ever since.
With Tommie Visser as our trainer, Pyasso and I have been very successful on Z2 and ZZ-licht level. In 2013, I will start Pyasso on ZZ-zwaar level and ZZ-top M on Z2 level.
Apart from these two horses, I also ride the five-year-old gelding Colonel (Tuschinski x Goodtimes). He is without doubt a rising star and I will start him on Z1 level in 2013.
In case you are wondering how Loverboy is doing: he is 19 now and is enjoying his retirement. But who knows, I may just bring him out for one last event.