Stal Hendrix horse of the month: Mereusa

15 July 2026

Mereusa, a chestnut mare by Comme Il Faut 5, has really impressed so far in 2026, winning her first Grand Prix and stepping up to CSI5* level. The nine-year-old was sold to her current owners by Stal Hendrix in 2024 and is an up-and-coming show jumping star to watch out for.

Age: 9

Breeding: Comme Il Faut 5 x Ereusa (Toulon)

Rider: Marc Houtzager

Owner:  Stal Houtzager-Kayser and Stoeterij Sterrehof

Biggest Achievement: Winner of the CSI2* Grand Prix, Oliva Nova, February 2026

Mereusa is a talented Dutch-bred KWPN mare making significant waves in international show jumping under Dutch Olympic rider Marc Houtzager. Sired by the great stallion Comme Il Faut 5 and out of a Toulon dam, she inherits elite athletic genes and an impressive jumping technique. Jointly owned by Houtzager and Stoeterij Sterrehof, Mereusa has quickly transitioned from young horse classes to international competitions, and in 2026 made her debut at CSI5* level, competing at Jumping Amsterdam and The Dutch Masters. Her career highlights include an outstanding victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix at the Spring MET in Oliva Nova, Spain, alongside top podium finishes at CSI Eindhoven and CSI Ommen and 4th place finishes at the Dutch National Championships and in the CSI3* Stal Hendrix Grand Prix at the JPM International.

Bred by J.H.M. van Loon, Mereusa was purchased by Stal Hendrix directly from the breeder as a six-year-old, before selling her on to Houtzager and Stoeterij Sterrehof a year later. Houtzager frequently praises the nine-year-old mare’s incredible mindset, natural carefulness, and competitive spirit over challenging tracks.

Looking ahead to the future, Houtzager said:

“Mereusa is a lovely horse to ride and has great rideability. She has made big progress over the past year with the CSI3* Grands Prix, and we hope that by the end of the year she will be ready for the CSI4* Grands Prix, and hopefully by next year, CSI5* shows too. She is naturally careful, has a fantastic mentality and always wants to do her best – she is a very good horse.”

As she steps up to more regular competition at the highest level, Mereusa’s consistency and attitude is increasingly solidifying her reputation as a rising star for the Netherlands on the global stage.