When most riders are discovering the basics of equestrian life, Jandalise van Staden was already showing a level of talent and discipline that set her apart. She began riding at the age of four, jumped CA by thirteen and started her dressage career at seventeen. Today she is an accountant during office hours and a committed dressage rider the moment she steps out of her work shoes. Her life moves between balance sheets and balanced transitions, and she brings the same precision to both worlds.
“I eat, sleep, live horses and I dont know a life without them,” she says. It is a simple statement that captures exactly who she is. Her days begin early, end late and are centred around the two horses who carry her ambitions through the dressage arena.
FOR THE LOVE OF HER HORSES
Her warmblood gelding, San Francisco, known as Frans, competes with her in Advanced Dressage. Alongside him is Lourens R.S., an imported Friesian youngster from the Netherlands who is confidently rising through Novice. Balancing a high-level sporting schedule with a full-time career is demanding, but Jandalise does not view it as an obstacle. “Although I have a full time job, for me there is no such word as ‘No Time’. My horses has the same work schedule as a horse in work by a full time trainer.”
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Her structure and discipline in training eventually brought her full circle to Vermate and Thermal Mud. Jandalise first encountered Vermate during her junior years in Mpumalanga through Marjolein. Life later placed both women in the same small town, Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, and their shared connection reignited her interest in the product.
THE DRESSAGE RIDER BALANCING LEDGERS, LONG REINS AND HORSES THAT SHINE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
“I was introduced to Vermate by Marjolein in my junior years in Mpumalanga. Both my boys are on Vermate and the improvement to their skin and coats are unbelievable. Both horses are MUCH calmer and more focused during training. I am very proud to be associated with Vermate, a total game changer for my two very sensitive horses.”
SOLVING THE CHALLENGE OF SENSTIVE HORSES
Sensitive horses come with their own set of challenges and Jandalise manages each one with precision. Frans, her warmblood, has a history of ulcers and travel stress that often resulted in diarrhoea. He also has a tendency to tie up after intensive work, which complicates competition preparation and recovery.
“My warmblood had serious ulcers and always got diarrhoea when traveling. I found that giving him 100ml Vermate in his mouth before traveling immediately stopped the diarrhoea and he was much more relaxed. He is also a horse prone to tying up. I manage this with 50ml over his feed daily and using the Thermal mud on his legs, back and neck after hard work, the cooling effect is amazing.”
Her Friesian, Lourens, presents a different kind of challenge. Young, athletic and naturally energetic, he requires careful management to keep him confident and focused. Friesians are also known for colic risks, something that Jandalise takes seriously.
“I also have an imported Friesian gelding with loads of energy. It is quite difficult to manage this as he is still very young. I started him on 100ml daily over his feed and within 1 week I had a calmer horse. He is much more manageable. Due to Friesians being very prone to colic, him being on Vermate daily is a huge relieve. He had a incident of colic and I gave him 200ml Vermate and after 30mins the symptoms resolved.”
For her, this is not theory. It is lived experience. “I absolutely believe in this product for Colic, especially catching it early or when in doubt this can always be given as you can not overdose on this product.”
A major test came when she travelled from the Western Cape to Johannesburg for the Adult SA Dressage Championships. It was a long-distance haul that often drains horses physically and mentally, yet this time the outcome was remarkable.
“I recently travelled from the Western Cape to JHB for the Adult SA Dressage Championships with both my boys. They were given 100ml Vermate during the trip daily and when arriving in JHB my horses didn’t loose condition and on the first day of training, it was as if they didn’t even leave home, being supple and with good energy.”
To Jandalise, this confirmed something she already knew. “I will never let my horses travel without Vermate and Thermal Mud and each time I have recommended this product to friends, its just proved itself again.”
The visual results speak as loudly as the performance benefits. “What I love most about Vermate and Thermal Mud is that my horses are always shining and show ready. A Happy gut = A happy horse.”
For Jandalise, becoming a Vermate and Thermal Mud ambassador is a natural extension of her values. It reflects her belief that true performance begins with health, comfort and a stable gut.
“It was an absolute honour to be branded by Vermate and TM and to promote a product that I believe in.”
Her story is a portrait of discipline, heart and the relentless pursuit of harmony between rider and horse. It is a reminder that great dressage is built on good management, consistent care and the quiet, unseen work that takes place long before a horse enters the arena.
