Kim Emmen: From Homegrown Ponies to the Olympic Spotlight

In the heart of Rome, during the Rolex Series CSI5* back in May, we caught up with Dutch showjumper Kim Emmen, whose rise in the sport has been defined by persistence, talent, and an exceptional ability to produce top-level horses from the ground up. After several standout seasons — and a strong performance at this summer’s European Championships — Emmen’s place among the sport’s elite feels more solid than ever.

“We didn’t have made horses — I had to make them”

“I always had ponies at home,” Kim begins, her tone calm and reflective. “My parents both had regular jobs — nothing to do with sport horses — but my mom rode a bit on the side. That’s how I got started.”

Growing up without ready-made horses meant Kim learned early how to build them herself.

“They were never ready,” she says. “I had to bring them up on my own. But my parents always made sure I had the chance to ride. They did everything they could.”

Step by Step: Building a Rider

Kim’s education in the sport came through hands-on experience across several respected stables.

She started at sixteen with Tim and Gerard Franssen, where she stayed for two to three years. “I rode junior horses, but it was a dealing stable,” she recalls. “Once the horses were going well and I reached the level — they were sold. So, it was always a process of starting over.”

She then moved on to Niels Bruynseels, working mostly in the background with young horses — a period she now credits as quietly essential to her development.

That was followed by a year with Luc Tilleman at T&L Stables, where her riding became more competitive: “I was competing a lot with five-, six-, and seven-year-olds, doing the Young Horse Cyclus. That gave me great ring experience.”

But her most pivotal period came at Erik Berkhof’s De Margaretha Hoeve, where she spent five years developing her skills and stepping into the international spotlight.

“Erik supported me a lot,” she says. “He brought me into the Global Champions League team — and that really opened the door to higher-level sport.”

Imagine and the Olympic Moment

One horse, above all, has shaped Kim’s career trajectory in recent years: Imagine.

After a two-year stint riding for Sean Cubitt — during which she became more competitive with horses like Jack Van Het Dennehof and represented the Dutch national team on several occasions — Kim returned to De Margaretha Hoeve and was given the ride on Imagine, a horse that elevated her career to the next level.

“It just really worked,” she says. “I had some good horses before, but Imagine brought everything to another level.”

In 2024, Kim and Imagine delivered a vital clear round at the Paris Olympics, securing their place in Dutch showjumping history. The performance was one of the standout moments of the team competition.

A Season of Results and New Targets

2025 has been another milestone year for Kim. One of the main goals for the season — a strong performance at the European Championships — has already been successfully achieved, adding to her momentum heading into the final stretch of the year.

The rest of the season includes more legs of the Global Champions League, where Kim rides as part of Madrid In Motion.

Her string has evolved too, following the recent sale of Inflame and Island.

“I had to bring a few new horses up to speed quickly,” she says. “But they’ve been really good — they stepped up in Windsor and again this week. I’m excited to see how they develop.”

The Team Behind the Scenes

Kim is quick to acknowledge the strength of the people around her.

“We have a great group,” she says. “Sören helps with training, and Patricia, our stable manager, does a lot at home with the paperwork and management. Sascha is here in Rome this week. Everyone really contributes.”

Her home groom also plays a crucial role. “She’s been with me for years, doing the hard work with twelve horses at home. I couldn’t do it without her.”

Sören’s Support and Staying Steady

Kim works closely with her trainer Sören Kühl, whose calm presence and sharp eye have become an important part of her routine — both at home and at shows.

“It’s not really about riding style,” she explains. “It’s more about feeling. Sören helps with the right details — in the warm-up, at home, and especially when it comes to keeping focused before going in the ring.”

She laughs, adding, “Sören is actually more nervous than me sometimes — so I’m not sure who’s calming who down!”

Despite her calm appearance, Kim admits she isn’t immune to nerves.

“I do get a little nervous once in a while,” she says with a smile. “But mostly not about jumping in the ring. Having a strong support team — and someone like Sören in the warm-up — makes all the difference.”

Final Thoughts

From humble beginnings with backyard ponies to clear rounds on the world’s biggest stages, Kim Emmen has built a career on consistency, hard work, and quiet determination. With part of her 2025 goals already reached — and her sights now set on next year’s World Championships — she continues to prove that greatness isn’t just about talent, but about the team, the journey, and the belief behind every round.

And if recent results are any indication, Kim Emmen is only just getting started

© Rights Reserved.