About us
Who We Are
In the summer of 2017, Hannes Symons Horses (HSH) experienced a spectacular growth accompanied by an increase in workload. Kim stepped in to help and quickly became an indispensable force within the company.
By 2019, Hannes and Kim had developed a strong partnership, functioning as a perfectly synchronized team. Their successful sales results and close collaboration motivated them to establish HK Equestrian. From 2019 to 2021, their business experienced tremendous growth, with Jugana being one of their major successes.
Between 2021 and 2022, Hannes shifted his focus to athletic achievements, showcasing impressive horses such as Cayadix Hero Z, Nobel van het Hertenrooi, and H5 Alana Hero Z.
In 2022, they directed their attention towards acquiring young talent, laying the groundwork for a new breeding program. From 2023 to 2024, their focus was on developing top-quality horses, with Queen Kinmar Hero shining particularly bright.
Looking ahead, HK Equestrian remains passionately committed to discovering and developing high-quality and commercially appealing horses. Their ultimate goal is to grow together and reach new heights in both trade and sport.
As dedicated traders, we have a clear vision: to match the right horses with the right people and ensure a good home for the horses. We strive to build reliable and long-lasting business relationships.
Meet the Team
Kim Van Decraen
Hannes Symons
-
From my youth, I've always been surrounded by animals. Alongside my brother and sister, I shared a passion for horses and ponies, despite not hailing from a horsey background. However, my father, Marc Symons, had a background in the equestrian world as a project developer specializing in stable construction.
At the age of 16, I decided to pursue my love for horses and embarked on an apprenticeship. I was fortunate to work for renowned horse trader Neil Jones, collaborating with world-famous riders such as Lorenzo De Luca, a WEG rider, and Jaime Guerra Piedra, an Olympic rider. This experience laid the foundation for my skills as a rider.
Coming from a non-traditional equestrian background, I had to work hard and learn extensively to achieve my goals. My breakthrough came with Jugana, a showjumper with the potential to compete at 1m50 level. Together with the co-owner, I trained Jugana into a successful horse, resulting in placements at 2-star and 3-star levels. Eventually, Jugana was sold during CSI Valkenswaard.
With this solid foundation, I focused on further developing my sporting career with horses like Cayadix Hero Z, Nobel Van Het Hertenrooi, and Alana Hero Z. With these horses, I achieved numerous successes, even reaching 4-star level.
Following these triumphs, I decided to take a step back from competitive riding to concentrate on nurturing new talents, such as Queen Kinmar Hero. I find joy in the process of developing talented horses and growing together in the sport. My love for horses and building a bond of trust with them remain central.
Beyond my sporting ambitions, I also have a deep passion for the horse trade.
-
As a child, I was passionate about horses and spent many hours at the stable. It's no surprise, considering my background from a horse family. My father, Lieven Van Decraen, is a horse trader who rode up to 5-star level.
At the age of 16, I competed for the first time at 1m20 on a 1-star level. My career was brief but impactful. In less than a year, I rode my first 2-star 1m45 GP with Unique, and successfully so.
By my 18th birthday, I had the opportunity to train alongside 5-star rider Piergiorgio Bucci, a WEG rider, allowing me to participate in prestigious 3-star competitions up to 1m50-1m55 level.
I'm a rider who relies on the right horses. After my top horse, Unique, I competed up to the 140 level, except for Jolien van de Hondshoef, who brought me back to the 145 level. Jolien was also the first horse on which Hannes and I collaborated internationally, leading to the establishment of HK Equestrian after its sale.
To fully focus on building HK Equestrian, I took a few years off from competing, a period I thoroughly enjoyed. But the itch remains. Now that the company is growing, I've decided to pick up the reins again in 2024, eager to see what the future holds.