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European champions versus Olympic champions
One year ago, Great Britain claimed Olympic gold. Just a month ago, Belgium was crowned European champion. On Friday 29 August, both powerhouses will go head-to-head at the Brussels Stephex Masters in the CSIO5* Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance.
It promises to be a true clash of titans. On one side: Olympic champions Great Britain, cool-headed, precise, and rooted in tradition. A proud showjumping nation, hungry for revenge after being pushed into second place by Belgium at the recent European Championships.
Golden Belgian generation
On the other side, reigning European champions Belgium, led by a talented and ambitious new generation of riders and horses. Gilles Thomas, Thibeau Spits, and Pieter Devos – all members of the European Championship winning team – will join forces with Gregory Wathelet and Emilie Conter on 29 August to give it their all in front of a home crowd. Proudly flying the Belgian flag, this golden generation is eager to prove themselves once again, this time on home soil.
Gilles and Ermitage
Gilles Thomas is looking forward to his very first Nations Cup appearance at the Brussels Stephex Masters. “Our chef d’équipe Peter Weinberg was clearly aiming for a strong team,” he says. “With this selection, we have a real shot at a top result. You can feel the team spirit, both among the riders and the public. After the Europeans, I was overwhelmed with positive reactions.”
And yes, fans will once again get to enjoy the now legendary Ermitage Kalone. “Of course I’m bringing my superstar to the Nations Cup. I want to give it my all at the Brussels Stephex Masters. It’s a fantastic event, just five minutes from my home. I plan to compete in several classes and I’m aiming for strong results.”
European Championship podium reunited
With gold medallists Belgium, silver medallists Great Britain and bronze medallists Germany, the Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance at the Brussels Stephex Masters will welcome the full podium of the recent European Championships. Joining them are Ireland and Switzerland, who finished fourth and fifth at the same event.
Sweden, Olympic champions in Tokyo and reigning world champions, are also confirmed, as well as France, who recently took team bronze at the Paris Olympic Games.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there. Brazil, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates complete the impressive line-up — all three more than capable of delivering spectacular performances.
Already a classic
Last year, Belgium finished second in the Nations Cup, just behind Switzerland, a team returning to Brussels in full force. Team manager Peter van der Waaij is hopeful for a repeat performance, though he knows the host nation will be hard to beat. “We’re definitely bringing our strongest line-up to the Belgian Nations Cup, with established names like Steve Guerdat, Olympic champion in London and silver medallist in Paris. He finished second in last year’s Rolex Grand Prix in Brussels, is currently ranked number 6 in the world, and will compete alongside Martin Fuchs, the world number 7.”
According to Van der Waaij, the Brussels Stephex Masters is a favourite among riders. “It’s one of the most requested shows on the calendar. Everyone wants to ride there, and that’s no coincidence. Despite being a relatively young event, it already has a spotless reputation. Riders see it as a classic, and that’s quite rare.”
Finishing ahead of the Belgians won’t be easy
Stanny Van Paesschen, originally from Antwerp and now based in Halle, knows what it takes to win. A bronze medallist at the 1976 Olympic Games, he now brings his knowledge and experience to the British jumping team. “I’m not just speaking for myself, but also for the riders. We’ve competed at shows all over the world, yet everyone wants to ride in Brussels,” he says.
“Ben Maher, currently ranked number two in the world, won the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi at the Brussels Stephex Masters two years ago. He is determined to return this year. So is Scott Brash, who won both team and individual silver at the European Championships. These are names every show organiser dreams of, and yet Ben and Scott were the ones asking to be on the start list. That says a lot about Stephan Conter. There’s no one who understands the finesse of the sport and the horses quite like he does.”
And there’s unfinished business. “After the Europeans, I told the British riders that Belgium was the deserved champion. We had to accept their dominance. But make no mistake, we’re all coming to Brussels to win. Still, I know it won’t be easy. Beating the Belgians, now or in the future, will be a serious challenge. They have an exceptionally strong generation of riders and horses.”
Don’t miss out!
The Brussels Stephex Masters bring five days of top-level sport to Wolvertem, from Wednesday 27 to Sunday 31 August. The Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance takes place on Friday 29 August at 2:30 PM. Make sure to also catch the Team Presentation at 1:15 PM that same day, where all national teams will be officially introduced to the public.
