Biography

Seppe Vilain

It is a first Badminton for young amateur Belgian rider Seppe Vilain (23) who is based in Vleteren,15k northwest of Ypres. Last year with Badminton entry Kawa de la Cour Z, Seppe completed his first 5* at Luhmuhlen (18^th).

Seppe graduated as Civil Engineer and has a Masters in Mobility and Supply Chain Engineering and since September ’23 works fulltime as a Functional Consultant.

Seppe competes several other horses and in his spare time he enjoys running swimming and cycling. Both his father Steve Vilain and his grandfather Roland Vilain have competed in the sport.

Kawa de la Cour Z is a Belgian-bred, (Zangersheide registered) 16-year-old chestnut gelding. He is by the Thoroughbred Klairon Dancer out of a the Selle Francais mare Great Thinker by Bis de la Mare (a son of Double Espoir).  Kawa was born at his uncle’s barn and was acquired by Seppe’s father Steve as a foal. He was initially produced and competed by his father who still owns him. Seppe took the ride when Kawa was seven and competed in his first international competitions with him including Junior (2016 7 ‘18) and Young Rider Europeans (2019).