WIM IMPENS REUNITES WITH KING EDWARD AND MEETS HENRIK VON ECKERMANN AT CYOR STABLES
Imagine this: for years, you and your family have been breeding versatile horses, driven purely by your passion for eventing. You dream that one day, one of your horses will truly exceed all expectations. In 2010, a small and promising colt is born. After 18 months, you decide to sell him. Eleven years later, that same horse wins gold at the Olympic Games. This is the story of Wim Impens, a Belgian amateur breeder.
Breeding is dreaming, and King Edward (Belgian Warmblood | BWP) made that dream come true for Wim. Last year, he received the Belgian Breeders Bonus at the annual ‘Equigala’ of the Belgian equestrian industry, recognizing King Edward’s achievements as the highest-earning horse of the year. Tonight, Wim is being honored once again. To mark the occasion, Belgian Horse Hub took him to Cyor Stables, home of Henrik von Eckermann, where he reunited with King Edward and spoke with the man who transformed his king into a living legend.
SO MUCH TO SHARE
“I’m very happy to be here,” Wim says, clearly moved. “I’ve met Henrik before at a competition where he took the time for a friendly chat. But to be here now, walking around, and seeing King Edward up close again—it really touches me.” Moments later, Henrik greets Wim, and Janika Sprunger—Henrik’s wife and King Edward’s first 5* rider—briefly joins them to say hello.
Henrik and Wim then dive into detailed conversations about King Edward’s character, build, habits, strength, and, of course, his lineage.
There is no shortage of stories about King Edward. His gold medal victory with the Swedish team at the Tokyo Olympics was only the beginning. Best horse in the world, world champion, winner of the FEI Jumping World Cup and the GCT Super Grand Prix… King Edward is undoubtedly the G.O.A.T. What he and Henrik achieved together is unparalleled.
SMALL HORSE, BIG HEART
King Edward mag dan klein van stuk zijn, zijn prestaties zijn allesbehalve dat. Daar steekt het duo meteen over van wal. Henrik vergelijkt hem met veel liefde met een teckel: “Hij heeft korte benen, maar een enorm groot hart. Omdat hij erg breed is, een zeer ruime galop heeft en over een enorme sprongkracht beschikt, lijkt het alsof je op een gigantisch paard rijdt.” Wim vult aan: “Zijn ‘go’, die onverzettelijke wil om hindernissen te verslinden, is fenomenaal. Hij is klein, maar heeft een sterk karakter, iets wat veel paarden uit zijn lijn delen.” Henrik knikt instemmend: “Maar hij is ook enorm lief en zacht. Die balans tussen voorzichtigheid en onverschrokkenheid, dat vind je bijna nooit. Hij wil altijd naar de andere kant, wat er ook voor hem staat.”
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HERNING: A SHARED HIGHLIGHT
Both men agree that the World Championships in Herning was the pinnacle of King Edward’s career. Henrik: “At an event like that, you have to perform at the highest level for so many days, and he did it all flawlessly. Not a single rail down—it’s unbelievable. But honestly, every day with him is a highlight. He has such a cool personality, even in the stables. We try to pamper him as much as we can and truly enjoy every moment with him.” Wim adds: “Herning will always be unforgettable for me. My father witnessed that moment, just one week before he passed away. That makes it even more special for me.”
A ROYAL STAMP
King Edward isn’t just a legend in the sport—he’s also an icon in Sweden. Wim says: “I sometimes get visits from Swedish King Edward fans. He’s even on a stamp!” Henrik adds, “He also has a fantastic name that intrigues people and suits him perfectly. In Sweden, the name ‘King Edward’ is also a type of potato,” Henrik grins. “But for us, ‘King Edward’ is a horse and nothing else.”
BREEDING AND TRAINING
Last year, Wim topped the Belgian Breeders Bonus rankings and this year placed third. Despite the accolades, he’s modest about his achievements. “People now think I’m a brilliant breeder, but less than 1% of horses turn out truly exceptional. It’s always a gamble,” Wim explains. Henrik laughs: “That’s why I don’t breed—I don’t have the patience for those odds. But without top breeders like Wim, our sport wouldn’t exist. It’s also crucial that young horses receive proper training—not too fast or too hard, but with the time and care they need. Otherwise, even the best-bred horses don’t stand a chance.”
WHY BELGIAN HORSES LEAD THE WORLD
Belgian horses dominate the world stage, with 25-30% of the top horses at major championships being Belgian-bred. Wim explains: “Belgian breeders have used strong mares, often with a background in sport, and combined them with stallions from various international studbooks. This careful selection of bloodlines has produced powerful, versatile horses.” Henrik adds: “In the past, the focus was solely on stallions, but now you see top mares with proven performances playing a vital role. Belgian breeders were ahead of the curve in recognizing this.”
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW
