Imagine and Kim Emmen made a remarkable breakthrough on the international show jumping stage in 2024, achieving outstanding results. At the time, national coach Jos Lansink selected the pair to travel as reserves to the Olympic Games in Paris. In Paris, Kim and Imagine stepped in at the last moment to replace Willem Greve and Grandorado TN N.O.P. With three fantastic clear rounds, they reached the final, firmly establishing the name of the impressive grey horse and his rider.
Following the Games in Paris, the focus for TeamNL’s riders and horses has shifted to the World Championships in Aachen 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. The World Championships in Aachen will be the first opportunity for the Netherlands to secure qualification spots for LA 2028. With an eye on these championships, several existing agreements with horse owners have been extended. For various reasons, other contracts have not been renewed. The decision not to extend a contract can be made by the N.O.P. Foundation, but of course, also by the owner. In a few cases, the latter occurred after the Paris Games.
About the N.O.P.
The Dutch Olympic Horse Foundation (N.O.P.) has for many years worked to retain potential Dutch team horses for TeamNL riders. The foundation aims to ensure the participation of top horses in international championships on behalf of the Netherlands. It achieves this by making agreements with the owners of elite horses. Horses can be nominated for N.O.P. status by KNHS national coaches to the board of the N.O.P. Foundation. If the board reaches a contractually agreed arrangement with the horse’s owner, the horse will compete in the sport with the suffix N.O.P. attached to its name.
