VICTOR KUMPS
​
Victor started riding as soon as he could first get on the back of naughty ponies. He started riding for owners at a young age under the guidance of his father, Jos Kumps, specialising in developing horses which were found to be difficult by other riders. This resulted in Young Rider Nations Cup wins, a gold medal at the Young Rider European Championships in 2011 (Comporta,Portugal) and placements in 2* & 3* Grand Prixs. These horses were then successfully sold on for their owners, a great achievement for a young rider. This tradition has continues into today’s business where he still focuses on developing horses for owners.
Victor has always had a thirst for gaining knowledge and experience to become a better rider, leading him to work with several world-class riders. He has ridden, produced horses for and trained with several Olympic riders such as Roderigo Pessoa, Eric Levallois, Marion Hughes, Michel Robert and Philippe Le Jeune. These riders have contributed into developing Victor into the great horseman he is today.
Educating our horses with a strong foundation of flatwork, Victor is exceptional at giving horses confidence to reach their full potential. His ultimate goal is that the horses that are developed at Kumps Sport Horses have strong foundations that enable them go on to achieve great things in their career with future riders. He now also focuses on sharing his knowledge by teaching and developing riders at all levels.
Victor holds a Masters degree in Political Science; International Relations with distinction. He has spent time working in the corporate world in London, Antwerp and Brussels before launching full-time in showjumping.
Secret Fact: Victor loves reading and listening to podcasts on History and thinks the spicier the curry the better.
CAITLIN WHITTAKER
Caitlin started riding at the age of eight in Hong Kong and when her family moved to the United Kingdom, she spent the majority of her time at the riding school. Coming from a non-horsey family, she was lucky to be under the guidance of traditional English horsemen and women who encouraged her to develop a deeper understanding of horses. She spent several years working with a classical dressage enthusiast who encouraged her to take lessons on the riding school horses with Danny Pevsner FHBS who was a former member of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and pupil of Nuno Oliveira.
After graduating with a BA Hons in Business Finance from the University of Durham, Caitlin spent the first eight years of her career in London working for some of the most successful Hedge Funds in the world where she specialised in asset raising, investor relations and project management. After deciding to focus on showjumping full-time, she spent two years training in Germany with Mike Patrick Leichle and then with the Irish rider Trevor Breen. Caitlin became a sponsored rider for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and was aiming for the Asian Games as a member of the Hong Kong Team.
Caitlin began training with Jos Kumps in 2018 who has transformed her ability to ride and develop the horses to a professional level which is where she focuses the majority of her time now. Her experience working within the corporate world of investments as well as equestrian knowledge allows her a unique experience and understanding when focusing on the investment and client orientated side of the business.
Caitlin is an approved and qualified British Horse Society instructor, holding the BHSPTT as well as the investment Management Certificate (IMC).
Secret fact: She loves a Six Bar competition and has an addiction to chocolate mousse.
JOS KUMPS
​
Jos is one of the most exceptional horsemen in the world today. Jos has trained riders and achieved medals at every top level championship. His guidance and help is sought at the top level of the sport where he can be regularly found giving lessons, advice or riding a horse.
The list of riders that he has worked with include Daniel Deusser, Harrie Smolders, Roderigo Pessoa, Pilar Cordan, Gudreen Pateet and Harrie Smolders to only name a few. There are also very few top horses that have not had the guidance of Jos at some point in their career. Horses such as Baloubet du Rouet, Hello Sanctos, Diamant de Semilly, Good Luck and Killer Queen have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Although Jos has an impressive client list, his number one priority has always been the education of riders at whatever level they are riding and competing. If riders want to learn, he will always share his knowledge. We are incredibly lucky to have his help on a regular basis to oversee the development of the horses and riders.