Dutch Girl Power at The Dutch Masters: Kim Emmen

During her Olympic debut, 29-year-old Kim Emmen from Raamsdonk in Brabant turned in a super performance. Thanks in part to her two clear rounds with the impressive Imagine in the Nations Cup in Paris, the Dutch team finished in fourth place. She also made it to the individual final there, eventually finishing in 23rd place. The fact that Emmen only took over the reins of the KWPN gelding Imagine (Cassini Gold x Lord Z) from Irish rider Conor Drain in October 2023 makes it even more impressive.

Wonderful competition
Kim Emmen competed at The Dutch Masters for the first time in 2018. This year, she is back again, taking Imagine, among others, for the Rolex Grand Prix. ‘I'm really looking forward to it, because Den Bosch is always a wonderful show. Every year it is super well organised. The audience in Den Bosch is always enthusiastic. There is a lot of audience and you notice that they really enjoy the sport. My parents are always there too, and probably some friends and family as well. That makes it extra special.’

Jeroen Dubbeldam
It is the first edition this year with Jeroen Dubbeldam at the helm as sports director. ‘This year is the first edition for Jeroen and the programme has also changed,’ continued Emmen. ‘You now also have other tests for your third horse and on Sunday there is another 1.50m class with jump-off. That offers opportunities for slightly less experienced horses to grow on at a big show.’

Eric Berkhof
Kim Emmen has been riding for years, with a small break, for De Margaretha Hoeve, owned by Eric Berkhof, CEO Van Mossel Automotive Group, which is also one of the main sponsors of The Dutch Masters. ‘I've been back with Eric for about three years now. He obviously has plenty of work himself, so we try to do as much as possible ourselves and involve him in some way. After all, it's his hobby, so we don't want to bother him with everything. We discuss the important things together and coordinate our plans with him. It has to remain fun for him too - and of course it is especially so when things are going well.’

Besides Imagine, Kim is taking two more horses to the Brabanthallen. The 10-year-old Keavanta-C (KWPN, Cornet Obolensky x Zambesi TN) who Emmen has been competing internationally since October 2024 and the 12-year-old Nash v/h Lilleveld (BWP, Tonixe x Toulon) who made his international debut together with Kim in May 2022.

The full programme can be found here. Order your tickets in time via this link and don't miss anything of this edition of The Dutch Masters!

Photo: TDM/Remco Veurink