Emma Kanerva and Sponsor Gerd Saborowski Part Ways, New Start for Emma

Dressage

Finland

Finnish Olympic team rider Emma Kanerva and Gerd Saborowski, her sponsor and owner of her top horses, are parting ways.

As of January 2025 Kanerva will be standing on her own feet.

"Goodbye to the Past"

"It's time to say goodbye to the past and to start to look forward into the future," Kanerva announced. "Beginning of the next year I'm starting my own business and welcoming new horses and people to be part of this new chapter in my life. I'm happy about my decision and looking forward to the new challenges!"

Emma confirmed to Eurodressage that she will be saying goodbye to all three of her Grand Prix horses, including Olympic team horse Greek Air, as well as Mist of Titanium, and Feldrose.

Life of a Professional

The 38-year old Emma Kanerva has been based in Germany for the majority of her professional career.

She began her tuition as a bereiter for Hubertus Schmidt at his yard Fleyenhof in Paderborn, where she spent 10 years. In this period she rode Sini Spirit at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam, the 2012 Olympic Games, and the 2013 European Championship in Herning.

In 2015 Kanerva spent a brief period in Great Britain working with Emile Faurie. She rode for Finlans at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen on Solina.

In 2016 she returned to Germany and got based at stable Klovensteen in Schenefeld. She began riding for Saborowski who has his own farm in Stade. Coached by Wolfram Wittig, she rode at the 2018 World Young Horse Championships on Greek Air and Aperol and she returned to a major championship in 2021 riding the Europeans in Hagen with Greek Air. They were back on the team for the 2023 Europeans in Riesenbeck and rode on Team Finland at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Kanerva is now ready for a new chapter and told Eurodressage that, "it's a next step to take and I'm very excited about it."