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Mauro Stas and Paulien Schepers keep returning to the top, while Jeroen de Winter claims Thursday’s win.
The six-year-old horses have had two opportunities to show themselves at the Brussels Stephex Masters, a Rolex Series event, so far, and after Wednesday and Thursday’s 1.25m classes, a few combinations are already beginning to stand out. While Jeroen de Winter and Leontien DH Z claimed Thursday morning’s win, Mauro Stas and Casta Diva des Premices Z have been the most consistent combination across the opening two classes, with a victory on Wednesday followed by a second place in Thursday’s class.
That consistency gave us a good reason to catch up with the 15-year-old Belgian rider afterwards. Stas told us more about his rapid rise through the youth ranks, his partnership with Casta Diva and what makes competing at the Brussels Stephex Masters such a special experience for him.
Mauro Stas sets the early standard on Wednesday
Wednesday’s Future Stars 6y/o presented by Eurohorse was decided over a Special Two Phases course in the Sablon Arena. Mauro Stas immediately set the tone with Casta Diva des Premices Z (Chacoon Blue x For Pleasure), guiding the six-year-old mare to a double clear and the fastest second phase in 34.19 seconds.
Paulien Schepers and Dolce Vita Exclusive Z (Diamant de Semilly x Toulon) finished close behind in second place after another faultless performance, stopping the clock at 35.72 seconds. Aurelia Guisson completed an entirely Belgian podium aboard Une Beauty Belle JW (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Denzel V’T Meulenhof), while Frederic Vernaet and Colvis de Muze (Cornet’s Quaprice x Nabab de Rêve) took fourth.
Jeroen de Winter takes Thursday’s win
The six-year-olds returned on Thursday morning for the Future Stars 6y/o presented by Zangersheide, this time tackling a Table A against the clock at Place de l’Atomium.
Jeroen de Winter and Leontien DH Z (Leandro VG x Nixon Van ‘T Meulenhof) produced the quickest clear round of the class. They crossed the finish in 68.58 seconds to take the victory, ahead of Wednesday’s winners Mauro Stas and Casta Diva des Premices Z, who once again delivered a clear round and finished second in 69.38 seconds.
Dutch rider Dennis van den Brink and Happy Calmia (Halifax van het Kluizebos x Chaman) followed closely in third with 69.73 seconds, while Paulien Schepers and Dolce Vita Exclusive Z confirmed their strong start to the week with fourth place in 69.88 seconds. Lauranne Spits and Unanyme Dwerse Hagen (Pegase Van ‘t Ruytershof x Ultra Boy) completed the top five.
Familiar combinations keep coming back
With two classes completed, several combinations have already shown remarkable consistency. Mauro Stas and Casta Diva des Premices Z have a first and second place to their name, while Paulien Schepers and Dolce Vita Exclusive Z followed Wednesday’s runner-up finish with fourth place on Thursday.
Frederic Vernaet and Colvis de Muze have also featured prominently on both result sheets, finishing fourth on Wednesday before adding a sixth place on Thursday. With the young horses only at the beginning of their Brussels Stephex Masters week, these combinations have certainly put themselves among the ones to watch in the classes still to come.
Getting to know Mauro Stas and Casta Diva des Premices Z
At just 15 years old, Mauro Stas has already built up an impressive amount of experience. The young rider from Asse started riding at the age of five or six and was introduced to young horses early on. From there, he gradually worked his way up through the levels.
“I started riding when I was about five or six and quite quickly began riding young horses as well. Over the years, I gradually started competing at a higher level. Two years ago, I entered the youth circuit and got the opportunity to ride for the Belgian team.”
Last year, Stas competed at the European Championships for Children. He has since made the step up to Junior level, where he is currently competing with two horses. Just before coming to Brussels, he also returned from the Belgian Championship for young horses with a second-place finish.
One horse that has been part of his journey for several years is Casta Diva des Premices Z. The mare is co-owned by Mauro’s father and Jimmy Vermeulen of Stal ’t Meulenhof, and Mauro has known her since she was four.
“I first rode her as a four-year-old at the Belgian Championship in Gesves. Afterwards, we bought half of her. As a five-year-old, I rode the Belgian young horses classes with her and she was clear in all nine classes, so she ended up winning the competition.”
That consistency is exactly what Mauro values most about the mare.
“She really works with you in the ring. You can always rely on her. She is very kind, healthy and straightforward, and that gives you a lot of confidence when you enter the arena.”
This week, Mauro is not only competing Casta Diva in the six-year-old classes. He also has horses entered in the CSI2* classes at 1.35m and 1.40m level, making this Brussels Stephex Masters another important step in his development.
“I would really like to get a good result in one of the 1.40m classes, and of course I hope to finish the week well with Casta Diva too.”
It is already Mauro’s third year competing at the Brussels Stephex Masters, although this is the first time he is taking part in the CSI2* classes.
“I always really enjoy coming here. The organisation is very good, all facilities are close and the whole set-up works really well. The arenas are also quite special, so it is a great experience to get the chance to ride in them.”
With a win and a second place already on the board with Casta Diva, Mauro’s week in Brussels could hardly have started better.
