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Back to the Roots: Steve Vanderhoek’s “5th Horseman” Revisited
Jun 05, 2025
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When freeride meets legacy, you get something more than a trail video — you get a tribute.
In his latest project, professional freerider Steve Vanderhoek returns to a personal favorite: 5th Horseman, a classic North Shore descent that has shaped his journey from ambitious grom to pro athlete. And he does it aboard a machine just as bold as the ride itself — his Devinci rig clad in Purple Hayes Dominion brakes.
A Trail with History
For Steve, 5th Horseman isn’t just a trail — it’s a landmark in his riding evolution. “Back in the early 2000s when I was just a grom, my parents got frustrated with me blowing myself up every other week,” Steve recalls. That’s when Ken Maude, OG freerider and owner of Lynn Valley Bikes, stepped in as a mentor. Under Ken’s guidance, Steve rode 5th Horseman for the first time, setting the tone for a lifelong relationship with the steep, technical terrain of British Columbia.
The trail itself is a Shore masterpiece — fast and flowy up top, transitioning into chunky rock rolls and steep chutes. “An absolute banger lap every time,” as Steve puts it.
A Full-Circle Moment
The idea behind this new video was simple: go back and do it justice. After Steve and his wife Kelsey first shot a video on the trail in 2020, it became a milestone project — one that helped launch Kelsey’s career as a filmmaker, now shooting for heavyweights like Red Bull and Anthill Films.
This time around, the duo brought sharper skills, pro-grade gear, and fresh eyes. But what started as a reshoot evolved into something much bigger: a six-month community effort to refresh and revive the trail, with Steve leading the charge.
Dominion-Level Control
Ripping down a legendary line like 5th Horseman demands absolute trust in your setup. Steve’s bike — a full Devinci rig tricked out with Hayes Dominion A4 brakes in the limited edition Purple Hayes colorway — brings precisely that.
The Dominion’s ultra-consistent lever feel, featherlight modulation, and raw stopping power are built for the sketchiest chutes and gnarliest moves — just like those found in this film. “Some of the sketchiest movies I’ve done to date,” Steve admits, and you can see why.
When margins are tight and grip is fading, Dominion doesn’t blink — and neither does Steve.
More Than a Lap
This video isn’t just a ride. It’s a salute to community, craftsmanship, and the trail that helped build one of Canada’s most respected freeriders. From shovels to cameras, from grom to pro, Steve Vanderhoek’s “5th Horseman” is a story of full-circle passion — shot with love, ridden with fire, and stopped with Dominion.
A Trail with History
For Steve, 5th Horseman isn’t just a trail — it’s a landmark in his riding evolution. “Back in the early 2000s when I was just a grom, my parents got frustrated with me blowing myself up every other week,” Steve recalls. That’s when Ken Maude, OG freerider and owner of Lynn Valley Bikes, stepped in as a mentor. Under Ken’s guidance, Steve rode 5th Horseman for the first time, setting the tone for a lifelong relationship with the steep, technical terrain of British Columbia.
The trail itself is a Shore masterpiece — fast and flowy up top, transitioning into chunky rock rolls and steep chutes. “An absolute banger lap every time,” as Steve puts it.
A Full-Circle Moment
The idea behind this new video was simple: go back and do it justice. After Steve and his wife Kelsey first shot a video on the trail in 2020, it became a milestone project — one that helped launch Kelsey’s career as a filmmaker, now shooting for heavyweights like Red Bull and Anthill Films.
This time around, the duo brought sharper skills, pro-grade gear, and fresh eyes. But what started as a reshoot evolved into something much bigger: a six-month community effort to refresh and revive the trail, with Steve leading the charge.
Dominion-Level Control
Ripping down a legendary line like 5th Horseman demands absolute trust in your setup. Steve’s bike — a full Devinci rig tricked out with Hayes Dominion A4 brakes in the limited edition Purple Hayes colorway — brings precisely that.
The Dominion’s ultra-consistent lever feel, featherlight modulation, and raw stopping power are built for the sketchiest chutes and gnarliest moves — just like those found in this film. “Some of the sketchiest movies I’ve done to date,” Steve admits, and you can see why.
When margins are tight and grip is fading, Dominion doesn’t blink — and neither does Steve.
More Than a Lap
This video isn’t just a ride. It’s a salute to community, craftsmanship, and the trail that helped build one of Canada’s most respected freeriders. From shovels to cameras, from grom to pro, Steve Vanderhoek’s “5th Horseman” is a story of full-circle passion — shot with love, ridden with fire, and stopped with Dominion.
5IFTH...AGAIN - Steve Vanderhoek
Rising Stars: Spinello and Rocca Dominate Their Categories
In the Women’s Youth (Esordienti) category, Martina Spinello crushed the competition with a commanding victory — her second win in a row.
“After a rough Saturday with some crashes in qualifying, I reset and refocused. On Sunday I found my rhythm and gave it everything I had. I’m thrilled with the result,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tommaso Rocca put on a clinic in the Junior category, finishing second on a course that demanded both technical precision and deep endurance.
“The Santa Cruz V10 gave me amazing confidence on such a demanding course. I’m really happy to see the hard work pay off,” Rocca noted.
Solid Performances and Setbacks
There were more highlights from the Junior ranks: Filippo Turatti secured a Top 5 finish, while Cesare Mainetti showed strong form to land in the Top 15. Unfortunately, not all riders left unscathed. Both Matteo Bosco and Davide De Santis suffered crashes — with De Santis still impressively finishing Top 5 in qualifying before his withdrawal.
We send them both our best wishes for a full and fast recovery.
A Word from Team Leadership
Team President Alberto Mainetti summed it up best: “Febbio was a challenging race, and our riders delivered exceptional results. From Patrick’s Elite podium to Martina and Tommaso’s class wins, every effort reflects the hard work these athletes put in every day. We’re also proud of Filippo and Cesare, and we’re behind Matteo and Davide 100% as they recover. This is a team with heart, talent, and incredible potential.”
Looking Ahead
The momentum is real. With confidence in their legs and Hayes Dominion control at their fingertips, Team Santa Cruz BMT is set to take on the rest of the Italian DH season with fire. We’re proud to support a team that rides with passion, precision, and purpose — especially on some of Europe’s toughest trails.
Stay tuned for more updates, race highlights, and gear deep-dives as the season charges ahead.
Follow the team on Instagram at: Santacruz_bmt
Learn more about Hayes Dominion brakes: here
In the Women’s Youth (Esordienti) category, Martina Spinello crushed the competition with a commanding victory — her second win in a row.
“After a rough Saturday with some crashes in qualifying, I reset and refocused. On Sunday I found my rhythm and gave it everything I had. I’m thrilled with the result,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tommaso Rocca put on a clinic in the Junior category, finishing second on a course that demanded both technical precision and deep endurance.
“The Santa Cruz V10 gave me amazing confidence on such a demanding course. I’m really happy to see the hard work pay off,” Rocca noted.
Solid Performances and Setbacks
There were more highlights from the Junior ranks: Filippo Turatti secured a Top 5 finish, while Cesare Mainetti showed strong form to land in the Top 15. Unfortunately, not all riders left unscathed. Both Matteo Bosco and Davide De Santis suffered crashes — with De Santis still impressively finishing Top 5 in qualifying before his withdrawal.
We send them both our best wishes for a full and fast recovery.
A Word from Team Leadership
Team President Alberto Mainetti summed it up best: “Febbio was a challenging race, and our riders delivered exceptional results. From Patrick’s Elite podium to Martina and Tommaso’s class wins, every effort reflects the hard work these athletes put in every day. We’re also proud of Filippo and Cesare, and we’re behind Matteo and Davide 100% as they recover. This is a team with heart, talent, and incredible potential.”
Looking Ahead
The momentum is real. With confidence in their legs and Hayes Dominion control at their fingertips, Team Santa Cruz BMT is set to take on the rest of the Italian DH season with fire. We’re proud to support a team that rides with passion, precision, and purpose — especially on some of Europe’s toughest trails.
Stay tuned for more updates, race highlights, and gear deep-dives as the season charges ahead.
Follow the team on Instagram at: Santacruz_bmt
Learn more about Hayes Dominion brakes: here
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