Skip to content 
Belgium the team to beat, leading from pole position
Excitement is rising at the Brussels Stephex Masters, and the Belgian team is at the center of attention. Tomorrow’s CSIO5* Henders & Hazel Nations Cup, presented by STX Finance, promises to be one of the highlights of this Rolex Series event. Fans are welcome free of charge all the way through Sunday to enjoy the very best of international showjumping.
Belgium brings almost the full line-up that claimed European gold in A Coruña just a few weeks ago. Thanks to the starting order decided by a draw, they will be the last team to enter the arena. That’s a real advantage: competing last means they can watch how the other nations perform and fine-tune their own plan before making their bid for victory. Here, “pole position” is not about racing ahead, but about waiting for the right moment and striking when it matters most.
Belgium’s team for the Nations Cup
Chef d’équipe Peter Weinberg places his trust in three of the four golden European Championship duos: Pieter Devos with Casual DVZ, Gilles Thomas with Ermitage Kalone and Thibeau Spits with Impress-K van ’t Kattenheye. They are joined by Grégory Wathelet, who already gifted Belgium an Olympic bronze medal and several World Cup victories.
Gilles Thomas feels confident with Ermitage Kalone:“We have already shown that we are a strong team. With Grégory in the team, we have even more confidence. We are all going for it. Starting last is definitely an advantage. Ermitage had a short break after the Europeans, so I wasn’t sure how he would feel here in the ring. But today he already jumped a great round. He is ready, and so am I.”
Peter Weinberg, the coach behind Belgium’s success
Since 2017, German coach Peter Weinberg (72) has been leading the Belgian showjumping team. He lives in Aachen, a city long connected with equestrian sport, and under his guidance Belgium has celebrated some of its greatest victories. With him in charge, the team won the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona twice, Olympic bronze in Tokyo (2021), World Championship silver in Herning (2022), and three European titles: individual bronze for Jos Verlooy in Rotterdam (2019), individual bronze for Gilles Thomas in A Coruña (2025) and another team gold in A Coruña at the same European Championship.
Weinberg knows the sport inside out. He began in eventing before switching to showjumping and spent many years on the German national team. His own highlights include winning the Dortmund Grand Prix in 1977 and becoming German team champion in 1989.
Belgian riders value him not only for his experience, but also for his calm approach and clear strategy. They know he can take the pressure out of the biggest moments and bring clarity when it matters most. Weinberg, a father of two children who are both active in the sport, often refers to the Belgian team as his “second family.”
With that combination of experience, trust, and leadership, he has helped Belgium grow into one of the strongest and most respected nations in international showjumping.
Belgium as clear favorite
The other nations have also announced their teams, which naturally fuels speculation. Equestrian analyst Frederik De Backer reviewed the full starting list, combining his expertise with plenty of data and statistics.
Frederik: “If I look at the numbers objectively, Belgium is the clear favorite to win tomorrow. In fact, there is quite a big gap to the next contender, France. According to the figures, Germany might even struggle to reach the second round. Ireland and the United Arab Emirates are also not immediately expected to qualify for round two, but of course surprises can happen.”
If Belgium lives up to its role as favorite, it would be the first time in 21 years that the home team wins a Nations Cup on Belgian soil. That would be a truly special moment.
The Top 10 according to Frederik De Backer
- Belgium
- France
- Brazil
- Great Britain
- Mexico
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Germany
- Ireland
- United Arab Emirates
Click here for the full starting list: https://online.equipe.com/shows/73145
CSIO5* Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance: How it works
The Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance is no ordinary jumping class. It’s a true battle between nations, where every round counts, team spirit is everything, and the atmosphere builds right up to the very last jump. Ten countries line up with four riders each, ready to fight for national pride.
In the opening round, riders compete one after another: first all the number-one riders from each team, then the number twos, threes, and finally the fours. A knockdown or a refusal adds 4 penalties, a time mistake adds 1. Each nation can drop its poorest round, so only the three best rides count. After this stage, the team with the lowest score takes the lead, while the two lowest-ranked nations see their journey end.
The top eight teams return for round two, and the pressure only grows. All penalties from the first round carry over, meaning every second and every stride is decisive. By the end of two rounds, the nation with the lowest total score claims the trophy of the Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance.
And if two countries are still tied, it all comes down to a exciting jump-off. Each coach sends in one rider for a head-to-head duel against the clock, where speed and precision decide it all. The fastest rider secures glory for the entire team.
In short, the Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance is pure sport at the highest level: strategy and national pride packed into one unforgettable evening.
Free entry, maximum excitement!
Have you never seen a Nations Cup live before? Then the CSIO5* Henders & Hazel Nations Cup, presented by STX Finance, is your chance. Imagine flags waving, fans cheering, and the tension building until the very last rider. And the best part: entry to the Brussels Stephex Masters is completely free. Join us on Friday, August 29 at 14:30 and feel the atmosphere for yourself!
