– I’ve taken the best out of each place and created my own system
At the age of 32, showjumper Espen Michael Wielunski has already been riding professionally and represented Norway for 18 years. After Israel, Germany, Switzerland, Holland – he’s back home.
By: the Editors
Published: May 31st, 2020
It was well into May, but actually snowing at eventer Heidi Bratlie Larsen’s place in Asker, when we first met the tall, hooded trainer standing in the middle of the outdoor arena, trying to stay warm during his full day of teaching. He’s used to warmer weather, maybe, and might also prefer getting his photos taken in more flattering conditions and outfits. After a while he comes over to say hi, any excuse to huddle around the campfire next to the small marquee Heidi usually takes with her to competitions around Europe. It’s been a while since they last used it, but it does the job keeping us somewhat dry during the full day of observing Espen at work in typical Norwegian May weather.
Becoming a horseman
Espen Michael Wielunski is half Norwegian, half Australian, born in Bærum, Norway, but had lived in three continents by the time he was three – and didn’t stop there. His life-changing moment came at a very young age, as he moved to Germany at the age of 14 – by himself – to pursue his dream of becoming the number one rider in the sport after winning the Israeli showjumping championship and being selected to represent the country at only thirteen.
– As a child, I was very sporty and competitive and having to leave my family and friends behind was extremely difficult for me, but I knew that I had to make sacrifices to achieve my goals. My parents and my siblings were always supportive of me and encouraged me to maximise my talent and potential.
– What was it like living and working as a rider in Germany, and what impact has that time had on your career?
– My nine years of living in Germany were tough, but rewarding professionally. They shaped me as a horseman. The work ethic there is extremely demanding, especially for a young rider starting at the bottom, who doesn’t speak German, but that didn’t stop me.
He started out as a stable boy, working 6 AM to 10 PM every day, seven days a week, at a breeding stable in the small town of Montabaur, Germany. The owners, Frank and Pat, taught him everything he knows about breeding and the horse as an animal. It was, and has always been, all about the horses.
(Losing track of) time and place
At sixteen, Espen started working for Rainer Schmergaltt, a well-known horseman specialised in bringing young horses into the big sport.
– I’m telling you, I rode so many different horses every day that I lost track of time and what day it was. This is also where I bought my first own horse, Calista MS. I saddle broke her, trained and schooled her to compete up to 1.50 classes. Later on, she was sold to Cian O’Connor, one of the best riders in the world.
Espen describes the decision to do his three-year Bereiter apprenticeship in Germany as the most important decision he’s made in his career. What had the most impact on him was the opportunity to be educated and trained by the “meister” Paul Forkert, known for his achievements of winning both show jumping and dressage Grand Prix competitions. A real horseman Espen has always looked up to and admired. Germany taught him the fundamentals of horsemanship, but it wasn’t in his nature to stay.
In 2011, he packed his riding boots and moved to Switzerland, “where it was all about winning, but also where I for the first time stepped into the international arena and was ranked within the world’s top 1000 riders”. Four years later, Espen made the big move to establish his own business in Holland.
– I’ve taken the best out of each place and created my own system. I’ve never measured my success as a rider by the number of ribbons that I’ve won, but by constantly pushing myself to be a better rider, trainer, person and to create an impact on others. The unique experience and knowledge that I’ve gained throughout my career has helped me develop my own system that has brought the very best out of hundreds of horses, but also other riders. This is what I see as my biggest achievement.
– Then what are you like as a trainer?
– I want to give the opportunity to everyone who is willing to learn and work hard to develop themselves as riders. I require a lot from of my riders, but my goal is that at the end of each lesson, they all finish with smiles on their faces. To me that means the world.
“We specialize in top quality show jumping horses of all levels. At EMW Sport Horses we sell, train and show our own horses at national and international competitions. The extensive process of scouting quality horses is only the beginning of the journey. Bringing out the best in the equine athlete comes from professional management”.
Homecoming
– It’s hard to believe that at the age of 32, I have already been riding professionally and representing Norway, for 18 years. Without doubt, working with horses has been instrumental in developing my character and the person that I am today. It’s hard to explain, but when I sit on a horse I feel at home!
It’s a dream come true to establish his own business and work together with his brother, they’ve dreamt of running a company together since they were litte, and believe they are a perfect match: David as a former rider and graduate of BI Norwegian Business School, Espen as a professional, full time rider. Last year, they took a huge step towards their future and returned to their roots at the same time, establishing EMW Sport Horses in Norway, in addition to their Dutch company.
– What made you make the decision to move back to Norway, and what are your plans for the future?
– As a Norwegian child, growing up in Tel Aviv where my mother worked at the Norwegian Embassy for thirty years, I always had a big place in my heart for Norway. It goes back to when I was a child in kindergarten in Frognerparken in Oslo and to all the memories from our summer holidays in Norway. So, when I was invited last April to coach Martine Dyngeland at Sundby Gård, it felt so natural to me to come back to Norway.
He already has a full schedule of teaching both show jumping and flat work at Sundby, in Asker, Sørkedalen and Bergen. Espen strongly believes in Norway’s potential of becoming a leading country in the horse world.
– Norway has fantastic riders and Norwegians love, respect and dedicate everything to their horses, but equally important, they are eager to learn and work hard. Therefore, my plan is to help position Norway at the top of the sport by educating and developing riders to first and foremost perfect the fundamentals and by that, maximise the potential of both the riders and their horses. I sincerely believe that Norway has a bright future in the sport, and I will be working hard here to contribute to that success.
