He was the son of a farmer, with a passion for horses, but instead became a successful businessman and managing director of international firm Bosch Rexroth - then known as the Hydraudyne Group, which manufacturers hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical drive systems.

He first entered the equestrian world when he became treasurer of Indoor Brabant in 1984, before becoming President of the international show in 1997.

He went on to become President of the KNHS Board in 2002, resigning from Indoor Brabant to focus on his work at the national governing body, which included the restructuring of the organisation and the successful cooperation with the Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN) that has led to the creation of the national equestrian centre in Ermelo.

He retired as President in 2011 at the end of his maximum term in office, leaving behind a financially sound, highly successful and well regulated body.

At his farewell reception, he was presented with a "Liber Amicorum" or "Book of friends", which was entitled "Met hart en ziel" or "With heart and soul" - in which 60 people closely involved in equestrian sport wrote about his career, and was made an honorary member of the KNHS.

He was also a former member of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Finance and Nominations Committees and a keen advocate of reforms within the sport's world governing body, as well as within the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF).

FEI President Princess Haya paid tribute to Van den Heuvel, claiming he was "a really wonderful man and true visionary, who always had the best interests of the equestrian world, in all its guises, at heart".

"He understood the importance of correct governance in sport at all levels, and was unstinting with his time and expertise," she added.

"He played a vital role in developing the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation into the strong and successful organisation it is today, and amongst his many other roles, was also an invaluable member of the FEI's Finance and Nominations Committees.

"With his passing, the equestrian world has lost a loyal and true friend.

"He will be much missed."

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