Emmelie Scholtens Appointed KWPN Stallion Licensing Committee Member

Breeding

KWPN

Dutch Olympic dressage team rider Emmelie Scholtens has been appointed KWPN stallion licensing committee member.

Scholtens' appointment was decided during the KWPN members meeting on 4 June 2025.

Succeeding Hamminga

She will succeed Johan Hamminga at the end of 2025. Hamminga will continue to supervise the autumn stallion performance test, while Scholtens began in her role at the pre-selection for the licensing.

"As a successful trainer of young dressage horses – with three world titles at the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses and numerous victories in the Pavo Cup – she brings valuable practical experience," the KWPN society stated. "As an Olympic rider, she also has knowledge at the highest sporting level. The Breeding Council for Dressage Horses supports her nomination. With her sporting and breeding expertise, Scholtens naturally complements the existing team of the stallion inspection committee for dressage."

Code of Conduct

Jeroen Witte at the 2011 KWPN Licensing, his father
Nico Witte in the background

The KWPN studbook stated that "Scholtens endorses the KWPN Code of Conduct and Integrity and attaches great importance to transparent and careful conduct. Given her broad network within the stallion industry, attention is paid to a careful division of roles within the committee. This ensures that her efforts always remain in the interest of the KWPN and breeding."

Emmelie's husband, Jeroen Witte, is a professional rearer and handler of young dressage stallions. He annually presents a string of colts, owned by himself and Emmelie as well as for clients, at the KWPN licensing. Her father-in-law, Nico Witte, is also known as a horse investor, scouting young stock and selling them later on.

The appointment is for a term of three years, from November 2025 to November 2028.