Meet the hot-headed mare on the London GCT with a ‘strange’ warm-up regime – ‘She’s a special character!’

Jennifer Donald's avatar
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Published In Features
Niels Bruynseels and Ilusionata Van't Meulenhof jumping to third place in the grand prix at the London GCT
(Image credit: Longines Global Champions Tour)

We all enjoyed a thrilling jump-off to conclude the London GCT grand prix at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Saturday night (14 August). But while the grand prix victor, Peder Fredricson, joined the prize-giving on his tremendous partner Catch Me Not S and runner-up John Whitaker returned to the ring riding his 13-year-old gelding Unick Du Francport, third placed Belgian rider Niels Bruynseels was seen joining the celebrations on foot.

The reason? His 13-year-old chestnut mare Ilusionata Van’t Meulenhof (Lord Z x Carthago Z) is so hot-headed that Niels and his team spend considerable time trying to keep her calm and relaxed, which means a lap of honour is out of the question – but so is jumping a practice fence in the warm-up ring. Therefore, Ilusionata enters the ring to jump even a 1.60m grand prix track “cold”.

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.