Without owners no equestrian top sport: in the spotlight, Conny Viscaal.

Conny is almost 65 years old, lives in Albergen, and was born in Enschede. She has a 33-year-old son (Dex) who lives in America and a 31-year-old daughter (Joy). Joy is a true horse lover and often accompanies her on competitions, but she only rides to clear her head after a day’s work. Conny has a sport stable with 30 horses and also breeds on a modest scale. Since the age of five, she has been bitten by the horse bug, and through lessons at the riding school, she got her first horse at seven. Her parents had horses at home; ponies were not an option. From a young age, she loved cross-country riding through the woods, which sparked her love for eventing. She has ridden the military in Boekelo herself. Conny says, “Even now, my heart is still there, but the Netherlands is not really the country for this discipline.” Conny completed the instructor training in Deurne. Her children were on horses before they could walk. Conny says, “Being on a horse was more fun than going for walks in the stroller.” She has thirty horses at home, three from Eric Berkhof, and the rest are hers. Last year, she bred six foals. This year, just one, and a few were purchased. Five foals are expected next year. Horses are everything to our Twente-based interviewee. Conny says, “I’d rather be mucking out the stables at home than shopping.” Since last year, she has been an Eventing Host in Boekelo, acting as a liaison between riders and the board to see what can be improved.

Midwife of Imagine

Conny says, “The people at our stable gave me a jacket with the text 'Who is the breeder, I am the breeder.' Yes, I am the breeder of Imagine, the horse that Kim Emmen completely surprised us with in Paris. I even brought him into the world; I was his midwife. He was actually conceived quite simply, over coffee with Pia Louise Auftrecht, Gert Jan Bruggink’s wife. I was breeding with Imagine’s mother, who had previously produced two internationally jumping foals. Pia knew a good stallion for her third foal. As it is known, this turned out to be very special. Every breeder dreams of breeding a horse that goes to the Olympic Games, but I never really thought about it. I was already accustomed to major competitions and enjoyed them, but Paris was never in my thoughts.”

Parijs was mixed

“I was in Paris at the stables when I heard that Kim would start instead of Willem Greve. That was very mixed. The Monday before, we had cremated my mother, Tuesday I packed my suitcase, and Wednesday we went to Paris. Also, I didn’t really want to be happy for Willem. Of course, my heart did make a leap. My daughter was still at the hotel when the news came; we had never expected this. Three riders for Kim with reserve horses and then being pushed forward, it was absurd. And then to become one of the only three combinations that jumped clear three times. Kim really rode like a star, and to me, she is the Olympic champion. I mean, the top three individuals had faults in the earlier rounds. I also found the way she rode remarkable. So simple, as if she was riding a national 1.40m class. With the simplest tack and brushing boots, it was just abnormal. As mentioned, my mother passed away the week before, but shortly before that, I also lost my father and husband. All within a year and a half.”

Final Longines League of Nations

“I have always said that I decide about the horses I breed. We once wanted to sell Imagine, but that didn’t go through. He is still partly mine but is now stabled with Eric Berkhof. He was stabled at home in the first stall, and we miss his white face. I happened to see a video of him when my daughter Joy was jumping him at five years old. He still jumps exactly the same, so easily, it’s unbelievable. This whole story is bizarre to me, but clearly also to many others. His performances in Paris triggered so much. The whole world was following along, and I received messages from all corners. Even in the nursing home where my mother lived, they followed my horse, and I was approached everywhere about him. Back to how it started with Kim. My late husband Rene had said that if anything happened, if I couldn’t figure something out, I should call his good friend Eric Berkhof. Enormous amounts were offered for him, and I didn’t know what to do. When I called Eric, he was in Barcelona. On his way back, he stopped by with Kim to do a few jumps. Kim quickly started to shine. And she doesn’t do that easily. From the first day, he jumped phenomenally with her. The rest is history. In Rotterdam, they were part of the team. In the first round, they had a time fault, after which team coach Jos Lansink wanted to see her start in the Grand Prix on Sunday. They were clear in both the first round and the jump-off and eventually finished seventh. The next day, I went to my son Dex in America. When I was on the plane, my daughter was at the team presentation in Apeldoorn. We felt we were number seven after all the reserve horses, but just being there was already very special, with that thought Joy went there. There is still a lot of interest in Imagine, but we’re not looking too far ahead. First, let’s focus on the final of the Longines League of Nations in Barcelona.”

Rotterdam very well organized

We listen breathlessly to Conny. With her distinct Twente accent, she speaks with passion and still disbelief about her grey or white, as she calls Imagine during our conversation. We ask Conny if she remembers when she first came to CHIO Rotterdam. Conny: “That was a long time ago. Definitely about fifteen years. I remember there was an auction where a foal from Utascha was auctioned, Gutascha. It was during the time when Vincent Voorn rode for Eric Berkhof. I was there as a spectator. I found and still find Rotterdam a fantastic competition. When I think of you, I think of the route from the stables to the main arena. So beautiful! You have no idea that you are in the middle of Rotterdam. I also find everything in Rotterdam always perfectly organized. Next year, if I am in good health and if everything remains as it is, I will definitely be there again. You see me at all competitions; I am currently working on tickets for Barcelona.”

Everyone who organizes something must be cherished

“My favorite competition is still Boekelo. I’ve been everywhere, but that’s where my heart truly lies. Two weeks ago, I was at the Stephex Masters in Brussels. It was really over the top, so incredibly luxurious. But every competition has its charm. I am now in Zuidwolde, and I like that too. I live from competition to competition and enjoy the sport. Just through the budgets, you can’t compare competitions. We must cherish everyone who organizes something; there are already enough disappearing.”

“Paris was of course on another dimension. Not that it was so cozy, though; you could hardly get a drink, and after certain times, you were quickly kicked out after a class. But in terms of sport and emotion, it was very unique. However, having a glass of wine wasn’t possible, and we Twentians are not used to that. Paris was certainly special, but not the most fun; you couldn’t have a party there. For that, you had to go to the TeamNL house, but that was a half-hour drive. Kim also mentioned it in her conversation with you; Paris could learn a bit from Rotterdam in that regard. At your place, you can enjoy a good meal and drinks. Despite being in the middle of Rotterdam, there was also far less police needed than in Paris.”

Rene was with me in Paris

Conny becomes quiet for a moment. We do as well shortly after. Conny: “By the way, my late husband Rene was also there in Paris. When we left home, I went back inside at the last moment. My daughter thought I had forgotten my glasses or something. However, I went to get a bag of Rene’s ashes. I had never done that before but carried it in my bag the whole time. Only my sister-in-law knew. At one point, she said in Paris that Rene should have been there. I told her he was there. In my feeling, he was riding with Kim.”

Enjoying every round

As mentioned, for many, the Olympic Games are the ultimate dream for an owner or breeder. Conny has already experienced it. We ask her if she still has dreams. The Twente pragmatism clearly comes to the fore as she responds. Conny: “I live from competition to competition, enjoy the daily routine, and hope everyone stays healthy. From B classes to classes with the grey, from a competition in a meadow to Paris, I enjoy everything and find pleasure in it. If you only dream of the Olympic Games, you have four boring years, and I think that’s a waste; you should enjoy every round your horses make.”

With your head and with your heart

Many horses are sold each year and go abroad. We ask Conny why she has still decided to keep Imagine. Conny: “I can understand why people sell their horses. The amounts offered are unimaginable. If you have a good horse and the money train comes along, I can understand if you don’t want to take the risk of something happening to the horse. You can run your stable with that money for years. You can make such a decision with your head or your heart, and some people do it with both. People who decide with their heart will keep the horse, and I’ve done that so far. I enjoy having this horse with my family, Eric, and Kim. If we sold him, the bond would be gone. Now, there’s that emotion, and every competition is an experience. Those competitions will not be the same once Imagine is no longer our property.”

Every sports event is a party

Again, beautiful, impressive words that clearly come from the heart. We ask Conny to close the conversation herself. Her beloved competitions are again the common thread in her answer. Conny: “I am at many competitions and major events, I also like to watch other sports besides equestrian sports, and I am amazed that at events like the Olympic Games and the World Cup, everyone seems to be friendly and loving, that it’s one big party, but outside of that, everyone is at each other’s throats. Can’t it be different?”

A special ending to a special conversation with a special woman. Thank you for your time and openness, Conny, and for ensuring that we could all enjoy your “White” so much. We look forward to seeing you at CHIO 2024; your snack and drink will be ready.

This interview was translated by Chat GPT