Skip to content 
Discover the world’s elite and the young talents who are set to ignite the Brussels Stephex Masters
The Brussels Stephex Masters is a dazzling parade of showjumping’s brightest stars. Olympic champions, World Champions, European Champions – they will all be present in Wolvertem for the CSIO5* Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance, (29/08) and the CSIO5* Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi (31/08). Belgium is recognized as the number one horse nation in the world – in breeding, in riders, and in events. The Brussels Stephex Masters is the nec plus ultra, the ultimate calling card of Belgium as horse country.
A parade of stars, with the next generation ready to shine
Such world-class riders don’t appear by chance, their presence must be earned, and that has everything to do with respect and trust. Few competitions welcome such an extraordinary array of top riders. Their presence speaks volumes about their appreciation for organizer Stephan Conter, a global player in both trade and sport. With his organization he wants to give something back to his beloved sport. That is why young talents also get the chance to compete in the magic of the Brussels Stephex Masters, where top sport flows seamlessly into atmosphere and lifestyle.
And the public is up for a treat. The Belgian golden team with Gilles Thomas, Thibeau Spits, Pieter Devos and Nicola Philippaerts, who became European Champions last month, will all be present for the first time since the Europeans. Last year Team Belgium claimed silver in their home Nations Cup. Will they jump to gold this time, just like at the Europeans? One thing is certain: it will not be a walk in the park with Olympic Champion and European runner-up Great Britain sending its strongest delegation. Among them Scott Brash and Ben Maher, the world’s number 2. Maher won Olympic gold last year in Paris with Dallas Vegas Batilly, the same horse with which he had taken the Rolex Grand Prix, presented by Audi a year earlier.
Steve Guerdat, ranked 4th in the world, was this year’s outgoing European Champion with Dynamix de Belheme, the horse he rode to second place in last year’s Rolex Grand Prix. The winner was José Maria Larocca with Finn Lente. For the Argentinian, it was the greatest victory of his rich career. A year earlier he had already been second in the Rolex Grand Prix, presented by Audi. His win was the ultimate highlight. Scott Brash, Ben Maher, Steve Guerdat, José Maria Larocca: they are the big challengers for the Belgians, who will also face reigning World Champion Henrik von Eckermann and current Olympic individual champion Christian Kukuk.
Or will it be a young talent who takes the win and drives home in a brand-new Audi? One of the highlights this year will be the incredible young generation of riders, with six of the world’s Top 7 in the U25 rankings set to compete: Nina Mallevaey (FRA, World No. 1), Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX, No. 2), Emilie Conter (BEL, No. 4), Thibeau Spits (BEL, No. 5), Jeanne Sadran (FRA, No. 6), and Antoine Ermann (FRA, No. 7). These rising stars embody the future of the sport and will bring youthful ambition, talent, and energy to the Brussels arena. The Conter sisters are in strong form and extra motivated on home soil. The French delegation is led by éminence grise Roger-Yves Bost, the 2016 Olympic Champion. He teams up with, among others, Jeanne Sadran (24), who won her first 5* Grand Prix in Paris in June. Her compatriot Nina Mallevaey (25) is no less impressive. At the Rolex CSIO in Rome she rode a faultless Nations Cup with her Belgian horse Nikka vd Bisschop – helping France to second place – and also secured an individual third place in the Rolex Grand Prix. Nina and Jeanne competed at the Europeans for Les Bleus – and will do so again in the CSIO5* Henders & Hazel Nations Cup presented by STX Finance.
Anyone wishing to experience the pinnacle of showjumping should definitely come along. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Admission is even free.
