Emmanuel de Blommaert de Soye

Emmanuel de Blommaert de Soye was a career officer in the Belgian cavalry. His father Ferdinand was already known as an accomplished equestrian. Emmanuel was from 1921-44 the fourth Baron de Blommaert de Soye. At the time a second lieutenant, he married in 1900 Baroness Eliane Gustave Alix Marie Jeanne de Coninck de Merckem. They had one daughter.

In 1912, de Blommaert de Soye competed in jumping and eventing. While winning bronze in the individual event of the jumping, he did not finish in eventing. Eight years later, he finished 11th in the individual event of the dressage.

During his military career he became a colonel commanding the 1st Guides Regiment, where all Belgian riders at the 1912 Olympics served, and eventually a major general of the cavalry. He was appointed Commander of the Order of Leopold and of the Order of the Crown of Belgium as well as an Officer of the French Legion of Honour.