Ema Klugman and Chiraz competing for Australia at the 2025 Nations Cup in Boekelo. Image by Claus Close Up/Ashley Claus.
Balancing a demanding legal career with elite-level eventing, US-based Australian Ema Klugman has enjoyed a strong start to the spring eventing season with her team as she targets the Kentucky Three-Day Event – and potential World Championship team selection.
Finishing her studies in 2024, Ema Klugman now works as a lawyer in Washington DC, all the while building a top-level eventing team at home in Maryland. Living an hour and a half north of the office, she manages the daily commute while carefully balancing her eventing and professional pursuits.
“Working as a lawyer comes with its own challenges,” says Ema. “I have to delegate a lot to other people because I can’t be in the stable all day – whether that’s meeting the blacksmith or organising logistics and packing for events.
“We’ve got a great assistant rider, Jamie Bizzini, who also helps as a groom – she does a lot. My wife, she also works full-time, but she’s very involved with the horses and rides as well. It’s a big team effort, and sometimes it feels like I have two full-time jobs!”
Ema says that due to their work commitments, they have kept the team of horses in single digits to ensure it remains manageable. “We don’t have that many sale horses, we’re pretty high performance focused,” she explains.
Ema with Zangersheide mare Bronte Beach. Image by Tazzie Eggins.
HIGH PERFORMANCE FOCUS
Ema is once again part of Equestrian Australia’s High Performance squad this year, having been named on the Generation Next (Emerging) squad with 12-year-old gelding Chiraz (Cayado 3 x Asquetta, by Casall).
Ema explains that, as she’s based in the US, support is mostly virtual.
“We do a lot on Zoom, and there are a lot of regular check-ins and support. Usually at least one member of high performance will come to Kentucky in the spring – last year, Stuart Tinney came over.”
In past years when Ema has been on the squad, there has also been some funding available, which she says has been really important and impactful from a training point of view.
In October 2025, Ema was also named on Australia’s Nations Cup team for Boekelo in the Netherlands with Chiraz, alongside Bill Levett, Olivia Barton and Isabel English. Ema says it was great to put faces to names in real life, not just on Zoom.
“The team was really lovely. We had good camaraderie and support… I’d love to do more of that and contribute to the success of the team!”
Although Ema has competed on Nations Cup teams previously, Boekelo was her first time competing in Europe.
“[Europe] felt like a much bigger pond than what we’re used to in the US. It was really eye-opening. I think we learned a lot.
“We had good camaraderie
and support…”
Ema and Chiraz competing at Boekelo last year; this month, the pair will contest Kentucky CCI5*L. Image by Claus Close Up/Ashley Claus.
“This was one was unique in that it was our first trip overseas. I’ve shipped horses overseas before when importing them, but I’ve never travelled with a horse to compete. Chiraz travelled great; he was a real professional and popped right on the plane. It’s pretty amazing, what they actually do for you.
“There are so many things that you don’t necessarily anticipate or think about that only come with experience. Once you’ve done a few of them – while it’s always going to be a little bit stressful representing your country – it gets a little bit less scary.”
THE TEAM
“They’re all very different and have different quirks and personalities and strengths,” says Ema of her talented team, three of which are at elite level.
Fourteen-year-old mare Bronte Beach (by Verdi TN x Delphine, by Fixdesign Chopin) has competed at five-star level, while 13-year-old mare RF Redfern (by Any Given Sunday) and 12-year-old gelding Chiraz (Cayado 3 x Asquetta, by Casall) are established at four-star. Eight-year-old mare FVF Wildflower (by Westporte) competes at three-star level, alongside a number of promising young horses yet to hit FEI.
“It’s hard to get them [to the elite level], so to have the team we do is a real luxury in many ways.”
Ema and RF Redfern. Image by Sally Spickard.
Ema and Bronte Beach competing previously at Kentucky CCI5*L. Image by Tazzie Eggins.
SEASON AHEAD
Ema’s spring eventing season began at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, where she took part in the unique Grand Prix Eventing competition (held at US Advanced level, comparable to CCI4*) with Chiraz and Bronte Beach. Both horses enjoyed a strong start to their spring campaigns.
“[Aiken] was our first start, which was a little bit wild and crazy, but it was great,” says Ema of the fast-paced event. “It was quite a high energy competition – I had not done it before, and it was quite fun!”
Ema’s season has continued strongly, with Chiraz, Redfern and Bronte Beach competing at Settler’s Run Farm Carolina International. Redfern finished on her dressage score of 30 to place second in the CCI3*S, while in the CCI4*S Bronte Beach was free of jump faults and only added time to her dressage score, and Chiraz added only time and a single jumping rail.
The next stop is the Kentucky Three-Day Event, where Chiraz will step up to his first five-star. Beyond that, Ema’s goal is to once again represent Australia.
“The ultimate goal is to be selected for Aachen, so that’s what we’re focusing our efforts on!” EQ
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