The Queen Teen: Emily King

As a teenager, Emily King set records few have come close to touching. She made her five-star debut and finished 4th at Pau at just 19. It remains the only top-five 5* finish by a teenager since 2008.

By Ali Barrett /

April 30, 2025

Emily King made history as a teenager — and she’s spent the past decade building on it.

In 2015, 19-year-old Emily King made headlines with a fourth-place finish at Pau aboard Brookleigh - still the only teenager to break into the top five of a CCI5*-L since 2008. A decade later, that milestone continues to turn heads.

“I feel lucky to have had a result like that early on in my career as it was like dangling a carrot in front of me of what could be achievable if I kept striving for the best.”

Y T3fm Cci5 L Completions by Teenage Riders Since 2008

That early result didn’t just spark attention — it fast-tracked King into Olympic conversations. She was long-listed for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, gaining a rare look behind the curtain at elite team preparation.

“Off the back of that I was put on the Rio Olympics longlist, which was a dream come true — it was fascinating being exposed to the intricate behind-the-scenes team training and attention to detail. Opportunities like this, off the ack of Brook's results, made me more hungry to reach the top of the sport.”

That hunger has fuelled a steady but impressive climb. Over the years, King has built a reputation for resilience, polish, and ambition. Her record of 20 CCI4* and 5* starts before the age of 20 still ties her for the most prolific teenage event rider in the modern era.

“That result drove me to work as hard as possible, train my horses as well as possible and strive to be the best I possibly can be as a horsewoman.”

T R8 Ge Nbsp Riders With the Most Cci4 and 5 Starts as a Teenager Since 2008

Current Form & Rankings

Now, ten years on from her Pau breakout, Emily King sits firmly among the sport’s elite. She’s currently ranked 24th in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings — a career high.

This season, she’s campaigned two horses at 4* level — Jackpot and the ever-reliable Valmy Biats, a combination that continues to impress on the biggest stages.

Together, Emily and Valmy Biats have:

Finished in the Top 10 at Pau CCI5* (2022)
Delivered a Top 5 finish at Badminton CCI5* (2024)

Their consistency and class didn’t go unnoticed — the pair were long-listed for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, recognition of their form and potential at the highest level of the sport.

What is next?

Next week, Emily is headed back to Badminton.

Emily and Valmy Biats return to the CCI5*-L at Badminton next week — and they aren’t just on the start list, they’re near the top of the EquiRatings Prediction Centre. With a 10% win chance and 29% chance of a podium finish, they sit second only to Olympic gold medallist and 2x five-star winner Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo.

Behind them? Olympic rider Tom McEwen and travelling reserve Yasmin Ingham.