BiographyEmile is one of the country’s top international dressage riders and trainers and has represented GB at World, European and Olympic level. He is a British Dressage judge and the World Class coach for the National Start and Potential Squad.
He first started horse-riding at the age of 16. “I pestered my parents so much, they gave me riding lessons for my 16th birthday. My mother said that ever since I could talk, I always talked about horses and certainly riding horses is the only thing I have ever wanted to do with my life.” Moving to England in 1980 Emile spent 3 years as a working pupil. He then went to Germany to work for the famous Performance Sales International, helping to back and prepare youngsters for auction. “It was phenomenal. I was riding lots of different horses, received fabulous training and gained knowledge of how to recognize a good young horse” Emile got his lucky break when he was given the ride on Virtue, with whom he went onto win the individual bronze and team silver medals at the 1993 European Championships in addition to being British Champions in 1993 & 1994. A decade later, he won a bronze team medal in the 2003 European championships with Rascher Hopes. Emile has represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games and three European Championships. Based at his fabulous training centre at Heath Farm in Oxfordshire, Emile teaches a large range of British Dressage talent from Young Riders to International Grand Prix Competitors. Having trained with a number of Germany’s ‘Greats’ including the later Herbert Rehben, Klaus Balkenhol and Conrad Schumacher, he has an excellent eye for how to bring a horse and rider together in a more harmonious partnership. Emile is now competing Internationally on 'Topolini' (owned by Julie Bradley) and at the start of 2014 won two Grand Prix CDI in France!
Emile helped to make History for GB Dressage by being a member of the "Gold Medal Team" in Rotterdam in August 2011 riding "Elmegardens Marquis" (Max). A great inspiration to all our kids from our projects who followed Emile's' progress with great excitement! Emile was Reserve for the London Olympics 2012 Emile is now also the Finnish Grand Prix Team Trainer (more information here) Having reached the pinnacle of his sport, Emile is now committed to helping others experience the joy and fulfillment of equine sport. He regularly visits the Schools and Riding Establishments involved with the Foundation, giving demonstrations and providing encouragement and advice to the children themselves. Click here to visit Emile’s web site
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