Lorelotte Kliefert

Emile Hendrix

Emile Hendrix is an showjumping rider from Holland who spent 30 years + at the top of the sport of showjumping, being a key member of the Dutch showjumping team, representing them at some many championships, nation cups and grand prix`s. As well as being a successful showjumping rider he has also become an established dealer of sport horses becoming a favourite location for many of the worlds top riders when looking for a horse

Teamwork makes the dream work, says Dutch showjumper Emile Hendrix. And he should know. His contributions to the Dutch Equestrian Team have gone far beyond his riding talent. Hendrix has a knack for eliciting team spirit and an attitude that goes far beyond the talent one must have to compete at the highest levels in showjumping. His opinions are strong but always take into account the best interests of the athletes and the general growth and well-being of the sport as a whole.

"We have to find a good balance between sport and business," he said. "Because the sport is not possible anymore without business. But the sport is also not possible without the riders."

According to Hendrix, there`s a lot of work to do. "In the last couple of years, it`s definitely been improving," he said. "But it`s time now to make things work. The quality of shows is really top but we have to bring the quality of the sport together. The sport must always be decided on performance. It has to be all between the lines."

Hendrix feels that the media have a major responsibility in guiding the growth of the sport. "At the moment the horse magazines are very good for us," he said. "But the general media tend to focus on the negative. We need more positive attention from the general media. Like this whole change in the World Cup qualifiers. Ever since, the phone has been ringing all day long. But Holland had five riders in the top 15 of the world ranking list, and no body bothered to call."

Teamwork makes the dream work, says Dutch showjumper Emile Hendrix. And he should know. His contributions to the Dutch Equestrian Team have gone far beyond his riding talent. Hendrix has a knack for eliciting team spirit and an attitude that goes far beyond the talent one must have to compete at the highest levels in showjumping. His opinions are strong but always take into account the best interests of the athletes and the general growth and well-being of the sport as a whole.

"We have to find a good balance between sport and business," he said. "Because the sport is not possible anymore without business. But the sport is also not possible without the riders."

According to Hendrix, there`s a lot of work to do. "In the last couple of years, it`s definitely been improving," he said. "But it`s time now to make things work. The quality of shows is really top but we have to bring the quality of the sport together. The sport must always be decided on performance. It has to be all between the lines."

Hendrix feels that the media have a major responsibility in guiding the growth of the sport. "At the moment the horse magazines are very good for us," he said. "But the general media tend to focus on the negative. We need more positive attention from the general media. Like this whole change in the World Cup qualifiers. Ever since, the phone has been ringing all day long. But Holland had five riders in the top 15 of the world ranking list, and no body bothered to call."

"What the problem is," he continued, "is that commentators in general are absolutely not educated enough in the sport to talk about it. The television in Calgary, for example, is unbelievable. That`s the way you have to make television. We have to work together and try to get it better."

Working together has been a philosophy in the Hendrix household that has made Emile the success he is today. Stal Hendrix, a business started by his father 50 years ago, is now run by Emile and his brother, Paul who handles the breeding and dealing. Emile`s accomplishments in the show arena adds to the success of the business. "Thanks to Paul, I can do the sport," said Emile. "And through the sport, I created more business. We are a good team."

Emile Hendrix began riding at the age of six. "I played with the ponies and horses day and night," he said. "I entered riding classes as a junior that were not judged. Arnold Neessen always beat me. I remember that very well!"

At the age of 11, Hendrix won his first championship aboard Queenie in a beginner`s class. "When ponies became more popular, my father was importing ponies," he explained. "I began riding a good pony, Bullhill Joy and was fifth in the Dutch Championship for two or three years with ponies."

Hendrix went on to win a lot of local Championships and competed in Rural shows. He was a member of the European Championship Junior Team with Henk Nooren, Rob Eras and Franke Sloothaak. "For me that was a completely new world I was thrown into," he said. "It was my first taste of international showjumping. As rural riders, we were like the farmer`s boys."

At 18 years old, Hendrix began riding at the Senior level and was Reserve Champion in the Dutch Championship. "That was a good start for me," he said.

In 1971 Hendrix went to Alwin Schockemohle for a year and a half. "Our contact came through the sale of Rex the Robber to Alwin Schockemohle. That was a great experience," remembers Emile. "The only pity was that he wasn`t there so much. At the time he was active in the Montreal Olympic Games. Then I had to come back to go into the Army. Luckily I was able to avoid that but because of business at home, I could not go back to Alwin`s." Hendrix went on to do national shows and small international shows.

His break came shortly thereafter through a contact of his father`s. "One of the organizers of s`Hertogenbosch had a horse named Livius who came along very fast," explained Hendrix. "He had a bit of an accident in Rotterdam and asked my father if he could turn out Livius here. In 1979 or 1980 he asked me to start with Livius because he didn`t have a rider at the time. He asked me to come to work with him a couple days a week until he had his own rider. We started very slowly with Livius. The horse came along nicely and got his confidence back. That was the break for me."

In 1981 Hendrix was selected for the Dutch European Championship team in Munich. "It was my first big break," he said. "I got fourth in the individual championship. I was just a rookie; a nobody. I was the fourth wheel on the car. That, for me, was a very big step."

." The Hendrix family purchased Livius when his owner became ill. Emile took him to Brussels and did very well. Soon after, they met with Jimmy Williams and sold the horse to Anne Kursinski who won a Pan American gold medal on him. "It was great advertising for us in America," said Hendrix, "and our contact with Jimmy was an extraordinary contact."

Things began booming for the Hendrix business--both in competition and sales. They purchased Pierrot and Emile rode him to success in the Zuidlaren and Brussels Grands Prix. They later sold the horse to Mexico`s Gerardo Tazzer. "We kept going, kept buying and selling," said Hendrix. "We never regretted one sale in our life, but maybe regretted a few we didn`t sell."

Emile went on to compete in a World Cup Final in Goteborg, in nine European Championships and in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. "My goal is to compete in 10 European Championships if I can make Arnhem," he said.

Hendrix says his biggest achievement was his first Nations` Cup win in Aachen in 1991. "It`s the nicest win I ever had in my life," he said. "That same year winning the European Championship was nice." Emile also was Dutch Champion and Reserve Champion twice. In 1997, he won a silver medal in the European Championships in Manheim.

In 1999, Hendrix introduced RBG Giant and RBG Halifax to the international scene. Still his leading horse, RBG Finesse carried Emile to the winner`s circle in the Wiesbaden Grand Prix and the Zuidlaren Grand Prix. They were members of the second place Nations` Cup team in St. Gallen and the third place team in Calgary and placed second in the s`Hertogenbosch world cup qualifier. In the 1999 World Cup Final in Goteborg, Sweden, the pair finished 10th in the first final, fifth in the second final and ninth in the third final.

RBG Finesse is a 12-year-old Dutch mare by Voltaire out of Venessa. She is currently 12th in the BCM World Breeding ranking.

The 2000 Sydney Olympics are not necessarily a priority for Hendrix. "It is the dream of every athlete to win a medal in the Olympics," explained Emile. "But it is the worst event in the world to be fourth or fifth. At the moment, it`s not looking promising for the Dutch team, but I have to say that we`re not the only one`s struggling. For the end of my career, I should probably give it one more try. But I have to talk to my sponsor and really give it some thought and make sure there isn`t any doubt in my mind." Very much a realist, Hendrix is already looking at the day he enters the show arena for the last time. "When Finesse finishes her career, I will quit showing," he says, but admits that the fabulous mare could go on for another two to three years. "I know how special she is and how rare it is to find one like her. Once it`s over, you have to say goodbye."

"I don`t want to be an extra just to fill up the classes," he continued. "I think I am realistic and when it`s time for me to leave the sport, I don`t want somebody to have to put a finger on my shoulder and tell me to leave."

Hendrix is active in the Jumping Rider`s Club and has just been selected to the FEI Jumping Rider`s Committee. He is a strong believer in working together to achieve a common goal. "Everybody is different in their approach to achieve success," he says. "There are people in the business I adore and respect in different ways for their contributions. John Whitaker--he`s in a different world. Beat Mandli is one of the best in the sport. Ludger Beerbaum is a combination of everything--management and talent. Michael Robert is a fantastic jockey. And Rodrigo Pessoa in the next 20 years will be something extraordinary. The way he rides is a dream. He`s good for the sport. A very, very good example for the sport. What we really need."

Hendrix has been fortunate to enjoy 15 years of good sponsorships including a three-year contract that ends in 2001 with RBG. Whether he`ll continue beyond that is anybody`s guess but one thing is for sure--he has plenty of other irons in the fire to keep him very connected with the sport and assuring that it continues to grow and improve. He wouldn`t have it any other way. "As Coca Cola says, you can`t beat the feeling," he laughs.

Below you can watch Emile Hendrix in action in the Aachen grand prix riding his talented horse Een




Emile Hendrix.jpg

Emile Hendrix

As an international rider Emile Hendrix has a highly successful career. In 1984 and 1985 Emile Hendrix won the Dutch Championship with his horse Option 1. He won his first European Championships medals in Munich with the team bronze and was fourth individually. In 1991 he won gold in the team. In 1996, Emile Hendrix with Finesse were part of the dutch team at the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Together with his brother Paul Hendrix they have buily a successful business as one of the leading european horse dealers and has sold many horses who have gone on to jump at international level with some of the worlds leading riders. Because of his qualities, he was asked by his fellow riders to sit in the FEI jumping committee. Emile Hendrix is also closely involved in the equestrian activities the prestigious Italian rehab San Patrignano has developed, also in the Netherlands Emile Hendrix is the athletic director closely involved in organizing the CHIO Rotterdam.

Emile Hendrix Horses

Arabian (Nicias III, 1984), Bonita 38 (Bal Parc , 1990), Classic Pleasure (Corofino, 1993),  Een ,  Finesse (Voltaire x Gag, 1987), Future,  Giant ,    Kathja ,  N-Aldato (Nimmerdor x Ladykiller xx, 1982)
Born in 1984 Arabian is sired by breeding stallion Nicias III , Arabian was competed successfully in the show jumping ring representing Holland with the international rider Emile Hendrix.
Sired by stallion Bal Parc, Bonita 38 is a sports horse jumped under the flag of Netherlands with one of Europe`s leading show jumping riders Emile Hendrix as well being competed by Jessica Chesney Kuerten for Ireland.
Een is an international show jumping horse who represented Holland on many occasions with leading rider Emile Hendrix, jumping in many grand prix`s and open competitions.

Emile Hendrix Competition Results

04 - Rotterdam, Bouw En Infraconcern Dura Vermeer Groep Prijs - 29/08/2002 - Classic Pleasure
02 - Rotterdam, Six Bar - 29/08/2002 - Bonita 38
12 - Amsterdam, ING Prijs - 16/12/2001 - Finesse
2 - Maastricht, Maastricht Grand Prix - 02/12/2001 - Finesse
6 - DĂĽsseldorf, Grand Prix - 21/10/2001 - Kathja
18 - Aach, Grand Prix A - 29/09/2001 - Finesse
04 - Rotterdam, Rotterdam Grand Prix - 31/08/2001 - Kathja
04 - Rotterdam, Equus Prijs - 27/08/2001 - Kathja
3 - Royal International Horse Show - Hickstead, King George V Gold Cup - 29/07/2001 - Finesse
14 - Aachen, Grand Prix - 17/06/2001 - Finesse
04 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 12/06/2001 - Finesse
06 - `S-Hertogenbosch, World Cup Qualifier - 29/10/2000 - Finesse
5 - Spruce Meadows, Du Maurier Grand Prix - 10/09/2000 - Finesse
3 - Rotterdam, Rotterdam Grand Prix - 27/08/2000 -
06 - Rome, Nations Cup - 23/06/2000 - Finesse
14 - Rome, Rome Grand Prix - 23/06/2000 - Finesse
12 - , - 05/03/2000 - Finesse
03 - Paris, World Cup Qualifier - 03/03/2000 - Finesse
5 - Geneva, Geneva Grand Prix - 12/12/1999 - Finesse
2 - Amsterdam, World Cup Qualifier - 04/12/1999 - Finesse
1 - Zuidlaren, Zuidlaren Grand Prix - 31/10/1999 - Finesse
11 - Spruce Meadows, Du Maurier Grand Prix - 12/09/1999 - Finesse
2 - Spruce Meadows, Nations Cup - 03/09/1999 - Finesse
03 - European Championships, Team - 29/08/1999 - Finesse
32 - European Championships, Individual - 29/08/1999 - Finesse
2 - Geesteren, Grand Prix - 17/07/1999 - Finesse
4 - Arnhem, Grand Prix - 02/07/1999 - Finesse
07 - Aachen, Preis von Europa - 01/07/1999 - Finesse
01 - St. Gallen, Nations Cup - 27/05/1999 - Finesse
01 - Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden Grand Prix - 19/05/1999 - Finesse
05 - Dortmund, World Cup Qualifier - 08/04/1999 - Finesse
02 - `S-Hertogenbosch, World Cup Qualifier - 18/03/1999 - Finesse
03 - Mechelen, Nations Cup - 26/12/1998 - Finesse
07 - Geneva, World Cup Qualifier - 12/12/1998 - Finesse
03 - Maastricht, Maastricht Grand Prix - 27/11/1998 - Finesse
03 - Amsterdam, Amsterdam Grand Prix - 22/11/1998 - Giant
10 - Berlin, World Cup Qualifier - 14/11/1998 - Finesse
10 - Aachen, Prize of Licher Privatbrauerei - 15/08/1998 - Finesse
6 - Aachen, Milcherzeugnisse Relay - 13/08/1998 - Giant
8 - Aachen, Prize of Handwerk - 13/08/1998 - Finesse
5 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 14/07/1998 - Finesse
02 - La Baule, Nations Cup - 06/05/1998 - Finesse
03 - Dortmund, Dortmund Grand Prix - 10/03/1998 - Finesse
07 - Geneva, World Cup Qualifier - 07/12/1997 - Finesse
04 - Stuttgart, Mercedes Masters - 18/11/1997 - Finesse
01 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 08/07/1997 - Finesse
15 - Hamburg, 1.50m Open - 24/05/1997 - Finesse
5 - Maastricht, Maastricht Grand Prix - 26/11/1996 - Finesse
31 - Olympics, Individual - 29/07/1996 - Finesse
07 - Olympics, Team - 28/07/1996 - Finesse
08 - Geesteren, Grand Prix - 05/07/1996 - Finesse
16 - Aachen, Grand Prix - 19/06/1996 - Finesse
4 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 11/06/1996 - Finesse
8 - Stuttgart, Stuttgart Grand Prix - 18/11/1994 - Arabian
4 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 12/07/1994 - Arabian
2 - Antwerp, Grand Prix - 12/10/1993 - Arabian
3 - Royal International Horse Show - Hickstead, Nations Cup - 08/08/1993 - Arabian
2 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 16/06/1993 - Arabian
3 - Rome, Nations Cup - 27/05/1993 - Arabian
9 - Göteborg, World Cup Qualifier - 02/04/1992 - N-Aldato
05 - Helsinki, World Cup Qualifier - 14/10/1986 - Future
6 - Rotterdam, Nations Cup - 31/08/1986 - Een
2 - Chaudfontaine, Nations Cup - 21/04/1986 - Een
5 - Rotterdam, Nations Cup - 31/08/1985 - Een
03 - Aachen, Nations Cup - 23/07/1985 - Een




Emile Hendrix