"In this sport, having the right horse is everything. As a part-time rider my whole life, I’ve managed to reach the top-level sport multiple times on several different horses. From early on I understood the importance of trust and reliability at the highest level and hence only rode horses who gave me positive experiences and who could reinforce my goals. I know what these attributes look and feel like in a horse and it is the mission of Kemperten Sporthorses to continue finding this type of horses and to produce them for top-level sport."
Jasmine Chen
Hailing from Taiwan where the equestrian sport is far from established, Jasmine started riding at the age of nine together with her siblings. What started as a weekend hobby gradually turned serious and together with her twin sister, Jasmine started to spend her summers in Mühlen, Germany where she trained at the facilities of the legendary Paul Schockemöhle and competed throughout Europe.
While Jasmine did not grow up in a horse family, her father has played a big role in inspiring her ambition and pursuit of excellence. “My father – who is ultra-competitive – has been the most influential person in my equestrian career,” Jasmine says. “We were always told to give 120% in whatever we do, because we will only achieve 80%. Having that force behind you can be tiring, but in the long run I believe it has made all the difference. He never stops challenging me and pushing me past my comfort zone.”
In 2006, at the age of 17, dedication paid off when Jasmine won an individual silver medal at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar
In 2006, at the age of 17, dedication paid off when Jasmine won an individual silver medal at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Together with Comodoro, Jasmine finished on the podium ahead of a strong group of nearly fifty riders with much more experience than herself. In 2010, Jasmine yet again delivered a strong performance at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, finishing fifth with Quin Chin. That same year, Jasmine participated at her first World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, also with Quin Chin.
Between 2007 and 2011, Jasmine combined her showjumping career with studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
Between 2007 and 2011, Jasmine combined her showjumping career with studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia – training with Irish rider Kevin Babington alongside her academics.
In 2012, Jasmine started working for Sotheby’s auction house in New York and took a break from showjumping in order to pursue a career in the art world. Jasmine quickly discovered that the two worlds were not that far apart.
“For me, Sotheby’s combines culture and commerce. Fine art and sport horses are highly similar in the sense that in both worlds we are essentially marketing and trading “products” which are all unique – and which can be extremely valuable,” Jasmine says. “Also, the prices can change from one day to the next depending on so many factors at play, which makes the marketplace tricky but thrilling – there is a lot of speculation, and you need to choose carefully but also take risks.”
In 2018, Jasmine represented Taiwan at her second World Equestrian Games and third Asian Games
In 2016, with a blooming art career, Jasmine returned to Europe and to the horse-back – deciding to yet again pursue her equestrian goals. In 2018, Jasmine represented Taiwan at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina riding Jaguar vd Berghoeve and at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia riding Ninyon.
In 2021, Jasmine competed at the Olympic Games in Tokyo for Taiwan
Two years later, in 2020, Jasmine accomplished a life goal when she topped the Olympic Ranking for South East Asia and Oceania, securing an individual ticket to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. In 2021, a dream came true as Jasmine made her Olympic debut with Benitus di Vallerano – delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Next to her many championship appearances, Jasmine has over the years also recorded several top-five finishes in Grand Prix and World Cup competitions world-wide.
In 2020, Jasmine founded Kemperten Sporthorses as a way to pass on her knowledge of and experience in the top-level sport to the younger generation – to develop both younger horses and riders for competition.
The focus of the company is sport, training, trading and breeding. Kemperten Sporthorses aims to acquire quality young horses, to produce them for the top-level sport, and to sell them to international clients based on Jasmine’s extensive network. Value is placed on quality, not quantity, and the strategy is investments of long-term value.
In 2020, Jasmine founded Kemperten Sporthorses as a way to pass on her knowledge of and experience in the top-level sport
An integral part of Kemperten Sporthorses is a stunning equestrian property located in Heeze, the Netherlands. The property can accommodate up to 38 horses and currently facilitates the company’s sales and training program as well as breeding.
The facility is located at the very heart of the showjumping world – 10 minutes from Eindhoven, 15 minutes from Tops International Arena, 30 minutes from Peelbergen Equestrian Center and 45 min from Sentower Park.
Situated next to a nationally protected forest with trails for hacking, the facilities include an 80x40m outdoor sand arena, a 30x60 indoor arena, a large outdoor grass arena, a lunging pen, a walker, several large paddocks and accommodation for up to six members of staff.
Breeding is an important part of the program at Kemperten Sporthorses
Breeding is an important part of the program at Kemperten Sporthorses. With mares from the best breeding lines such as Cornet Oblensky, Cardento, London, Diamant de Semilly and Dominator 2000 Z already in the stables, the methods of embryo transfer and ICSI will be employed to produce foals with top pedigree.
Additionally, Kemperten Sporthorses will offer fresh and frozen semen from some of their own stallions – such as Benitus di Vallerano, Casago, Chacco Nann and Ninyon.
