Three-time Olympic showjumper Dirk Demeersman has announced his retirement from the sport, aged 61.

The Belgian rider’s career spans decades; he competed at the European Championships on ponies aged 10 in and rode at his first Olympics, the 1992 Barcelona Games, aged 28.

Dirk represented his country at the 2004 Athens Olympics, finishing fourth individually with Clinton, and in 2012 he rode at the London Games aboard Befureo Van Het Panishof. In 2006 he helped the Belgian team to seventh at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, and in 2010 he was part of the bronze medal-winning WEG team at Kentucky.

This week Dirk announced his top stallion Cote D’Or, whom he bred and owns with his wife Kelly Pieck under their business Cavallini Horses, will make his competition debut with Olivier Philippaerts at the Chantilly CSI4*. Dirk’s last international competition with him was the CSIO3* Martofte Nations Cup in May.

“After 10 years together, Dirk has decided to hand over the reins of Cote D’Or Z to Olivier Philippaerts. Although his passion for the sport remains as strong as ever, he feels that, in the horse’s best interest, this is the right moment for Cote D’Or Z to continue his sporting career with a rider who can help him reach his full international potential,” said a Cavallini Horses spokesperson.

“At the same time, our home-bred horses Carrasco Z and Little Fellow Z have also joined Team Philippaerts. With this decision, Dirk officially brings his sporting career to a close.”

The spokesperson added that Kelly and Dirk “made this decision together, with the horses’ best interests always at heart”.

“They firmly believe this is the right time for each of them to begin a new chapter and wish Team Philippaerts every success and happiness with these exceptional horses,” he said.

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Meet the superstar mare described by her rider as “a mix of Mike Tyson and Usain Bolt”, who is smashing it out of the park at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships.

Bonne Amie and Abdel Said have jumped two clears out of two so far in A Coruña to sit in 10th place individually, and helping the Belgian team to third place at this stage.

The big scopey mare has been flying, and Abdel said she has been feeling superb.

“Jumping Bonnie is always amazing,” he says. “She’s got so much power, and she puts her heart into every jump.”

Abdel started riding the mare, who is now 12, at the end of 2021 – and he was not sure at first she was the horse for him.

“My partner, Antonia, scouted her, and she said ‘You really have to try this horse’,” he says. “She’d jumped so many clear rounds – even now, at the highest level, the number of clears she jumps is incredible. So I went to try her, and she was so big and powerful, I thought ‘I don’t know if I can handle this’, for the modern sport. And she was really expensive, the most expensive horse we’d ever bought. But I had a partner who gave me encouragement, and said ‘You know what? If you really like her, just do it’.”

Abdel said Sam Hutton, who works with him and part-owns Bonnie, took her on for a bit and jumped her as a third horse so she could see some more of the world without pressure, then she came back to him partway through her nine-year-old year.

Asked how he would describe her, Abdel says: “She’d be a mix of Usain Bolt and Mike Tyson! She’s extremely agile, fast, a lot of energy, a lot of power, and a strong character.

“She wants to do everything for you, but you have to ask politely. You can’t say ‘Come here now, do this, do that’. What’s hard sometimes is all this energy has to go somewhere, and the courses are so technical, so it’s a fine balance between having a little control, and letting her think she’s got the control.”

Asked about his plans, Abdel adds: “There are three more rounds to go! I think we’re in a strong position, and confident, but the road is still long, we shouldn’t get carried away.”

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Belgian Olympic showjumper Jérôme Guery has paid tribute to Papillon Z, the horse he credits for taking him to the top and “changing his life”.

“It is with great emotion that I announce that our Papillon has gone to join the stars,” said Jérôme on Wednesday (8 April).

Papillon joined Jérôme’s stable in March 2015 aged 13, having been successfully competed by Rik Hemeryck and Gregory Wathelet at Nations Cup and World Cup events.

The pair developed a strong partnership, and within weeks won the CSIO5* Lummen grand prix on home soil that May, and promptly followed it up with a winning Nations Cup appearance at Sopot, and a CSI5* victory at Knokke. The pair qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, although Jérôme rode his other top horse Grand Cru Van De Rozenberg.

Jérôme and Papillon continued to compete successfully at shows around the world until Papillon’s retirement from the top level in 2018, when Jérôme’s son Mathieu, then 14, enjoyed his first two years of horses on him.

“Our Papi was a wonderful horse; so generous, endearing, he left no one indifferent. He was a very special horse, who changed my life,” said Jérôme.

“I won my first five-star grand prix with him, he qualified for the Rio Olympic Games. It was with him that I discovered the very highest level, that I travelled to the four corners of the world. He allowed me to be among the best riders in the world. He also allowed Mathieu to make his debut on horses and passed on to him the passion for competitions.”

Jérôme thanked Papillon “for everything you gave us”.

“Thank you for all these moments of joy and happiness that we experienced thanks to you,” he said.

“I would also like to thank his owners, the Woitrin family, for entrusting us with this extraordinary horse. Thank you to all the people who took care of him and who allowed us to experience all these magical moments.

“And thank you all for your messages, your support and the affection you have shown him over all these years. You will remain for ever in our hearts. We love you Papillon.”

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The Belgian equestrian federation (KBRSF) wants to “turn this dark page as quickly as possible” after the outcome of two failed dope tests at the Olympics.

H&H reported last week that the FEI Tribunal had ruled on the case of eventer Tine Magnus, whose Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z had tested positive for a prohibited substance at the Games. The Tribunal found Tine bore no significant fault or negligence for the result, as the source of anti-depressant and anxiety medication trazodone was a supplement given on the advice of the team vet. But she, and the fourth-placed Belgian team, were disqualified from the Olympics.

H&H also reported that Belgian dressage rider Domien Michiels had been disqualified from the team final in Paris for failing a drug test. This was caused by his coming into contact with a prohibited substance when treating his sick dog.

“The past Olympic Games in Paris have caused a rollercoaster of emotions within our eventing discipline,” a spokesperson for the Belgian federation said. “The unique fourth place, followed by the controversy surrounding the positive test of Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, has put everyone involved on an emotional rollercoaster in recent months.”

The spokesperson said the federation and its Flemish wing Paardensport Vlaanderen had had meetings with Tine and her team.

“Now there is clarity on the cause of the positive test: contamination in a nutritional supplement,” he said.

“Last Friday, a delegation from the board of directors and the top sports cell of KBRSF met Tine and members of her entourage. It was with a feeling of relief that KBRSF and Paardensport Vlaanderen could inform them that we want to turn this dark page as soon as possible. With united forces, we want to do everything we can to ensure that the team, and Tine in particular, can continue working towards a new chapter as intact as possible and with all the necessary support.

“Together with the entire eventing team, we want to permanently highlight the sporting performance. We look to the future and keep doing everything we can to prove our sporting strength and show that we remain resilient, with a view to new successes.

“We also want to express our support to the veterinary team, who are also affected in this situation. This is a file from which there are no real winners, and it is clear that all involved are victims of an unfair and unfortunate situation.”

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A supplement given to a horse at the Paris Olympics on the advice of a team vet led to a positive drug test and disqualification.

Belgian event rider Tine Magnus has categorically denied ever doping after the anti-depressant and anxiety medication trazodone was found in her Olympic ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z’s system at Paris 2024.

Following the FEI Tribunal’s decision on 31 January, Ms Magnus said that she “can confirm and declare with my head held high that I have never consciously used doping”.

Ms Magnus, who was 28th individually, and the fourth-placed Belgian eventing team were disqualified from the Olympics.

Each rider is considered the “person responsible” for their horse under the FEI’s anti-doping rules. Despite the fact the FEI Tribunal found Ms Magnus bore “no significant fault or negligence” for the positive finding, she was suspended and fined.

She was suspended for five months – which was backdated to the start of her provisional suspension and so ended on 2 February – and fined CHF 4,000 (£3,540). The mare was provisionally suspended for two months in 2024 (3 September to 3 November).

Ms Magnus has also agreed to be part of an education campaign “on the risk of using supplements”.

The FEI Tribunal decision states that a settlement agreement was reached between the FEI and the rider, after she gave evidence and written explanations as to how “on the balance of probabilities” the banned substance entered the now 11-year-old mare’s system.

“The source of trazodone was the supplement RELAX PRO – Global Medics – Equine Care Group, which was provided by the NF [Belgian national federation] and the team veterinarian,” states the Tribunal decision.

“This finding was based on an independent analysis requested by the [person responsible] from two highly recognized toxicologists, Professor Jan Tytgat of the KU Leuven and Professor Pascal Kintz from Strasbourg.

“Both identified the presence of trazodone in the supplement RELAX PRO, which was given to the horse during the Olympic Games.

“The RELAX PRO was used only twice by the [person responsible] on the horse, and both instances upon the explicit advice of the team vet, since the horse was quite energetic.”

A timeline on the Global Medics website states that it partnered with Equine Care Group in 2021 and that the two “join forces to make your horse’s well-being our top priority”. The Equine Care Group website lists Global Medics as one of its “members”.

The Tribunal took into account that Ms Magnus is “acutely aware” of anti-doping rules “to which she “adheres fully”. They noted the “meticulous care” by her “well-trained team” to prevent cross-contamination, as well as her own record-keeping and practices. They also commented on Ms Magnus’s view that “treatments must only be administered to the horse if such is for the benefit of the horse and its welfare” and that she “strictly follows the advice” of her own vet, whenever treatment is required.

“[She] normally uses very limited number of supplements which are all batch controlled,” added the Tribunal report.

“However, being on the Olympic team, she relied on the expertise and guidance provided by the team’s infrastructure, hence she relied on the advice of the team veterinarian and the reputation of the Equine Care Group.

“The fact that the supplements were given to her by the NF and team vet shows no intentional or reckless behaviour, but rather a degree of procedural failure outside [her] immediate control.

“[She] was acting upon the advice of the team vet, using supplement purchased and provided to her by the NF, recognising the explicit guarantee to be ‘doping free’ and trusting the undisputed reputation of the Equine Care Group. In addition, the RELAX PRO producer is stating that it is ‘free of doping substances’ on its website, and that it is to be used for temperamental horses during competition.”

The Tribunal said that Ms Magnus “therefore had little reason to doubt the propriety of these supplements” and that in retrospect, “she does not know whether these supplements were actually tested before the NFand team vet were providing them to the team”.

It added that Ms Magnus “does not doubt” the national federation and team vet’s “best intentions”.

“It also has to be noted as well that the team vet more or less just gave his supplement regime without double-checking with [her] if it should be administrated,” stated the Tribunal report.

“Several times did he give supplements to the horse without the [person responsible’s] knowledge during the event.”

The Tribunal added that the FEI was satisfied Ms Magnus established that she bore “no significant fault or negligence”, but that she should have known that using the supplement “carried a certain degree of risk, as the existence of contaminants in supplements is widely known”.

‘Failure’ by national federation and team vet

The Tribunal stated that the FEI noted “the failure” of the federation and team vet “to provide products that are safe to use”.

“According to the FEI, a question arises as to why, in such a professional environment, the important task of complying with anti-doping obligations is outsourced to a person, that is not compliant with the recommendations of FEI clean sport, and there was no suggestion in the evidence that the team vet advised the [person responsible] of the dangers related to the use of supplements for horses,” stated the report.

“To the contrary, he instead recommended the [person responsible] to use a number of supplements in an extensive supplement regime.

“It is surprising that the NF/team vet encourages the use of over 14 different supplements for a horse, when considering the known risk of supplement use, and also the warnings that have been sent out to NFs and other stakeholders on regular basis and in particular in the clean sport messaging before the Olympic Games.

“It cannot be ignored that this has led to a very difficult situation for all parties involved, not only the [rider], but the whole team and the NF who will lose their fourth placing in eventing at the Olympic Games.”

‘Heavy burden of proof’

In her post-tribunal statement, Ms Magnus said that she found herself “on a rollercoaster” after the FEI informed her on 3 September of the positive test at the Paris Olympics.

“I was suspended with immediate effect and in addition, the fourth place achieved by the Belgian eventing team was also called into question,” she said.

“As is so often the case with doping and disciplinary cases, I was completely banned. I no longer existed. All this while I was 1,000% convinced that I was absolutely innocent of the positive doping result. I have always done my utmost to let my horses deliver top performances without aids.

“Together with my lawyers, I have extensively investigated how on earth it was possible that my horse tested positive. After all, I want to defend myself against a doping accusation.

“If necessary, the FEI stipulates that I, as the person responsible, must prove whether there is cross-contamination or another cause. As an athlete, you must therefore be able to explain and prove how the prohibited substance ended up in your horse’s system. This is a heavy burden of proof on the shoulders of the athletes and fortunately I have withstood that ordeal. I can confirm and declare with my head held high that I have never consciously used doping.”

She added that the team vet advised her to use “a number of supplements”.

“These supplements were sold and delivered to the Belgian federation by his company. These supplements were then made available to me,” she said.

“We asked Professor Tytgat, the most renowned toxicologist associated with the KU Leuven, to test all these supplements for the possible presence of Trazodone.

“When RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone in Professor Tytgat’s case, we had RELAX PRO cans purchased elsewhere with the same lot number tested by both Professor Tytgat and Professor Kintz in Strasbourg. RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone again.

“These results were submitted to the FEI because I wanted to prove that I had never intentionally administered a prohibited substance to my horse. The packaging of RELAX PRO even stated ‘doping free’.

“The FEI pointed out to me that even when I have in fact done nothing wrong, as in this case, I cannot rely on the concept of no fault or negligence. As an athlete, you bear risk liability even if you are not to blame.”

She added that the FEI offered her the option of accepting a fine and a suspension that would run until 2 February.

“Because I wanted to close this sporting black period as soon as possible, I agreed to this,” she said.

“I will soon be able to participate in official competitions again and I thank my partner Dieter, my brother Sam, the owner of DIA, Kris, for the trust they have always placed in me as well as my lawyers Klaas Koentges, Piotr Wawrzyniak and Luc Schelstraete, who assisted me in the procedure with the FEI.”

H&H has contacted the Belgian federation to ask if it and/or the team vet would like to comment. H&H has also contacted Global Medics and Equine Care Group for comment.

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Olympic dressage rider Domien Michiels has been disqualified from the team final at the Paris 2024 Games for failing a drug test, caused by his coming into contact with a prohibited substance when treating his ill dog.

The in-competition test was carried out on 3 August, the day of the grand prix special, which decided the Olympic dressage team medals at Paris 2024, and the sample was positive for dorzolamide.

A statement from the International Testing Agency (ITA) said that over the course of proceedings, Mr Michiels “was able to establish that dorzolamide entered his body inadvertently when he administered eye drops containing [the drug] to his dog to treat the dog’s illness”.

The drug is listed under diuretics and masking agents on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. It is classed as banned at all times – except when directly applied to the eyes.

“Considering that dorzolamide did not enter the athlete’s system through topical ophthalmic route exclusively and in light of the principle of ‘strict liability’, the presence of dorzolamide in his sample constitutes an ADRV [anti-doping rule violation],” added the ITA statement.

The statement said Mr Michiels was able to establish that he bore “no fault or negligence” for the positive test. This is defined as the person establishing that they did not know or suspect, and could not reasonably have known or suspected even with the exercise of utmost caution, that they had used or been administered a prohibited substance/method, or had otherwise broken an anti-doping rule.

Mr Michiels said: “I accept the decision that recognises that I was not negligent and did not intend to cheat or violate the rules. I am now looking ahead to continue to give the best of myself in equestrian sport in the future.”

A joint statement from the Belgian equestrian federation, Paardensport Vlaanderens and the Ligue Equestre Wallonie Bruxelles said: “As a federation, we attach great importance to a fair and doping-free sport.

“Of course, we recognise the decision of the ITA and the IOC [International Olympic Committee], but we would like to emphasise once again that although this finding is considered a doping violation, it was also determined that Domien Michiels is not at fault in any significant way. It is clear that there was no intention of unfair behaviour or negligence on his part.”

The ITA statement said that Mr Michiels was not subject to a mandatory provisional suspension as the prohibited substance detected was a specified substance. A specified substance is defined by WADA as being “more likely to have been consumed or used by an athlete for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance”.

Is the team placing affected?

What this means for the Belgian’s team placing is noteworthy as with teams of three, there is no longer a drop score in Olympic team competitions.

The ITA statement added: “The only consequence of his [anti-doping rule violation] under the IOC anti-doping rules applicable to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is the disqualification of the athlete’s individual competitive results at the dressage team grand prix event on 3 August 2024 at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“The results of the Belgium team in the dressage team grand prix on 3 August 2024 are not to be disqualified.”

The only dressage competition on 3 August at the Paris Olympics was the grand prix special, which decided the team medals.

The Belgian dressage team were fifth in Paris – yet the FEI database is now showing the team as finishing last of the 10 teams in the final.

The Belgian equestrian federation’s website states that “the team result of 3 August (a fifth place with [team mates] Larissa Pauluis and Flore De Winne) is maintained”.

The joint statement from the Belgian federations said that they are “relieved that the team result of our Belgian team is maintained, which is an important recognition of the commitment and performance of the entire team. We continue to support Domien in this challenging period and have full confidence in his integrity as an athlete.”

Human doping rule violations are treated slightly differently to equine doping in the rules used for Paris 2024.

The FEI rules for Paris 2024 state that if a member of a team is found to have violated the human anti-doping rules and/or the equine anti-doping and controlled medication rules during the Olympics, “the results of the athlete/person responsible will be disqualified in all competitions and the entire team’s results in the team competition are disqualified, unless exceptional circumstances apply”.

But the FEI’s Paris 2024 rules also state that the IOC anti-doping rules apply to riders in Paris. Under these, the hearing panel has authority to determine consequences on a team’s results.

The rule states: “Should the relevant international federation not have such rules or, if in the [Court of Arbitration for Sport] CAS Anti-Doping Division’s discretion, the rules of the relevant international federation do not adequately protect the integrity of the competition, the panel shall have the authority to determine the consequences on the team, including the disqualification of the team’s results in any competition or event or any other consequences. The CAS Anti-Doping Division may only take such action in circumstances when one or more members of a team are found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation and, in the panel’s discretion, the violation may have affected the results of the team in the concerned competition(s) or event(s).”

It would appear that there can be provision for a team’s placing to be unchanged. But given the inconsistency between the FEI’s records and the statements from the Belgian federations and the ITA, H&H has sought clarification from the FEI – which has directed the query to the ITA.

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The amateur breeder of the small but mighty horse who became world showjumping champion was deeply moved to be reunited with him, 14 years later.

Belgian breeder Wim Impens paid a visit to Henrik von Eckermann’s Cyor Stables to see King Edward, the Swedish powerhouse who also has team world and Olympic gold to his name.

Mr Impens was given the Belgian breeders’ bonus at the annual “Equigala” in recognition of King Edward’s achievement as the highest-earning horse of the year. This month, Belgian Horse Hub took him to Henrik’s base, where he was “reunited with King Edward and spoke with the man who transformed his king into a living legend”.

A spokesperson for the hub, which is supported by the Flemish government to promote the country’s equestrian network, said Mr Impens’ family’s breeding efforts were “driven purely by a passion for eventing”.

“You dream that one day, one of your horses will truly exceed all expectations,” the spokesperson said. “In 2010, a small and promising colt is born. After 18 months, you decide to sell him. Eleven years later, that same horse wins gold at the Olympic Games.”

Mr Impens said he was delighted to be there.

“I’ve met Henrik before at a competition, where he took the time for a friendly chat,” he said.

“But to be here now, walking around, and seeing King Edward up close again – it really touches me.”

Henrik and King Edward were on the Swedish team that won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021, finishing fourth individually, and world gold in 2022, when they were also individual champions. They won back-to-back World Cup Finals in 2023 and 2024, and the Longines Global Champions Tour super grand prix in 2021.

King Edward is the ultimate pocket rocket, and Henrik affectionately compared him to a dachshund.

“He has short legs, but a huge heart,” he said. “Because he is very wide, has a very wide canter and has enormous jumping power, it feels like you are riding a gigantic horse.

“He is also extremely sweet and gentle. You almost never find that balance between caution and fearlessness. He always wants to get to the other side, no matter what is in front of him.”

Mr Impens added: “His ‘go’, that unyielding will to devour obstacles, is phenomenal. He is small, but has a strong character, something that many horses from his line share.”

Both agreed that the 2022 Herning World Championships were King Edward’s pinnacle so far.

“At an event like that, you have to perform at the highest level for so many days, and he did it all flawlessly,” Henrik said. “Not a single rail down – it’s unbelievable. But honestly, every day with him is a highlight. He has such a cool personality, even in the stables. We try to pamper him as much as we can and truly enjoy every moment with him.”

Mr Impens said his father saw King Edward’s ultimate moment a week before he died.

“That makes it even more special for me,” he said.

“I sometimes get visits from Swedish King Edward fans. He’s even on a stamp!” he added.

Mr Impens said people now see him as a brilliant breeder, but fewer than 1% of horses will turn out to be as brilliant as King Edward, and that breeding is a gamble.

“That’s why I don’t breed – I don’t have the patience for those odds!” Henrik said. “But without top breeders like Wim, our sport wouldn’t exist. It’s also crucial that young horses have proper training – not too fast or too hard, but with the time and care they need. Otherwise, even the best-bred horses don’t stand a chance.”

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Olympic event rider Tine Magnus has categorically denied ever doping after her Paris 2024 ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z tested positive for a banned substance at this summer’s Games.

The positive test means that the Belgian eventing team, which had finished fourth at the Paris Olympic Games, has been disqualified.

An FEI notice released publicly yesterday (4 September) stated that the horse, a 10-year-old mare owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone at the Olympics. Trazodone is listed as an anti-depressant on the FEI’s prohibited substances list.

A statement from the FEI said that the rider has been provisionally suspended from the date of notification (3 September) “until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision”. The horse has also been provisionally suspended for two months, from the date of the notification.

“An adverse analytical finding from one team member during the Olympic Games will lead to the disqualification of the whole team. Hence, team Belgium will be disqualified from the eventing team competition of the Paris Olympic Games,” said the FEI statement.

In a statement today (5 September), Tine said she is “a sportswoman who values honesty” and “will do everything” she can to prove her innocence.

“It was with the greatest surprise and sadness that I learned of a positive doping result from my horse Dia during the Olympic Games,” she said.

“Together with the KBRSF [Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation] and my team, we will look for the cause of this result, which is also very surprising to me.

“I assure you that I or anyone from my team have never used any form of doping.”

She added that she “hopes for your support and trust”.

Belgian team coach Kai-Steffen Meier said: “For us as a team, it’s obviously devastating news, and for the whole team that was involved in this journey to Paris, and the result in Paris.

“We were very sure that we were very careful, and that with all food and supplements, we had everything tested before. So at the moment we simply cannot explain where contamination could have happened. So that’s our thing now, to solve that mystery, for us to say, ‘Okay, what happened? How did this horse test positive, and why?’ And to try to work together with the FEI and with the vets to find the reason for that.”

He added: “I cannot really say what [could have happened], and if it could be somewhere in the production process of any supplements, or it comes out of the same factory, or whatever.

“So it’s a little bit like at the moment like finding the needle in the haystack to say, ‘Okay, what happened? Why is it like it is now?’ We will try to work that out. And the vet team is reading into the situation to find the explanation for that.”

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Belgian rider Jerome Guery helped his country to the Olympic showjumping team final – with his “dream horse” who underwent surgery after a serious injury 18 months ago.

Jerome and Quel Homme De Hus clipped just one rail in today’s team qualifier to contribute to Belgium’s fourth-place finish, which means they are through to tomorrow’s medal decider.

The 18-year-old Quidam De Revel stallion was in top form in Versailles, having made a full recovery from the tendon “dislocation” he suffered in transport at the end of 2022.

“I’m so, so happy,” Jerome said. “And it’s really emotional to have my horse so fit like this. It was really the goal after his accident and long recovery; it’s really, really special for us.”

Jerome said Quel Homme De Hus was injured on the way back from the Longines Global Champions League final in Prague. After a long recovery, he returned to competition early this year.

“We never knew exactly what happened but we think any kick behind and the tendon will just dislocate from the bone,” he said. “It was really sad. He’s a strong horse and had never been lame before but luckily, he’s back in good form.

“He needed an operation and was out of competition for a year and a half. He’s 18 now; we weren’t sure that he could come back for the sport. But life was really generous with us. He’s an amazing horse and he gives so much and it’s so great to have him back.”

Jerome said the Belgian team is delighted to have qualified for the final.

“As last to go, there’s always a bit more pressure,” he said. “I knew I could have two fences and it would be enough to qualify, but I was really focused.

“My horse jumped amazing. I made one small mistake to the combination; it was on six or seven and I chose six, which was the wrong choice.

“But it was enough for qualification; we’re so happy and tomorrow the focus is on the new competition.”

Jerome said the Olympics is so special, for the teams and the public.

“To be here with my dream horse in a dream competition in a dream place, is like a life dream,” he said. “I’m so, so happy.”

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Belgium and the Netherlands secured team spots at the Paris 2024 Olympics with their results at the European Eventing Championships (9 to 13 August).

The nations finished seventh and eighth respectively, ahead of Italy and Austria which were also in the race for the two Olympic team places on offer at the Europeans.

Watch Belgian rider Cyril Gavrilovic talk about the result

Italy and Austria still have one remaining chance to qualify, via the FEI Nations Cup series. The final two team places will be allocated at the Pan American Games at the end of October.

Belgian team pathfinder Cyril Gavrilovic, who finished 27th aboard the promising nine-year-old Elmundo De Gasco, told H&H Olympic qualification was “the objective in mind”.

“We accomplished our objective, so we are really, really happy – and I’m really happy to have been here to do it,” he said.

“That was my first senior championships. I did juniors and young riders, but nothing like this.”

Cyril was joined by Lara De Liedekerke-Meier (Hermione D’Arville), Jarno Verwimp (Mahalia), and Karin Donckers (Fletcha Van ‘T Verahof) on the Belgian championship team responsible for bagging that crucial Paris ticket.

He added: “We all know he is one of the best cross-country horses in Belgium, he has proved it a few times already. He is normally really quick across country, but on Saturday I felt something I’ve never felt before.”

He explained how energy-sapping the horse found the ground, and how he nursed him home steadily to get back clear and safe, and a score on the board for the Belgian team.

“I’m really proud of him, I think he is one of the best horses here,” he said.

The Dutch team to pick up the other Paris 2024 place on offer was made up of Andrew Heffernan (Gideon), Janneke Boonzaaijer (Acsi Champ De Tailleur), Sanne De Jong (Enjoy) and Merel Blom-Hulsman (Vesuve D’Aveyron).

British-based Andrew said they were “highly delighted” to net the Olympic team place.

“Mission accomplished, as it were,” he said. “I felt a huge sense of relief that it’s happened and that we can put it to bed.”

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The multiple medal-winning showjumper Quel Homme De Hus is on the road to recovery following an operation as his connections keep Paris Olympic hopes alive.

The 17-year-old stallion, owned by his rider Jérôme Guery, Eden Farm Farl and Alexander Oancea, is a stalwart of Belgian championship teams.

The pair were part of the European gold medal-winning side in Rotterdam in 2019, helped Belgium to Olympic team bronze in Tokyo, and have a full house of team podium finishes at the FEI Nations Cup finals.

They also took individual silver at the 2022 World Championships and have numerous major grands prix titles on their CV.

On the way home from the Longines Global Champions Tour in Prague in November, Quel Homme De Hus sustained a hamstring injury on the lorry.

A statement from Jérôme said that following his injury, they “followed the veterinary protocol scrupulously”.

“At the beginning of February, his return to work was not conclusive. We found him uncomfortable. Further imaging tests showed a worsening of the lesion,” he added.

“We decided to turn to the Equitom [Equine Clinic] team to find out what was wrong. Their best orthopaedic veterinarians, but also several human specialists, were mobilised on his case.

“After further examinations, Quel Homme underwent a surgical operation which went very well. He is now undergoing rehabilitation at Equitom and his prognosis for recovery is very positive.

“We will of course give him all the time he needs to get back in shape on what he loves most, the show ring.”

He added that the target of Paris 2024 “remains unchanged for the moment”.

“Of course, his wellbeing and health are our priority, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that above all, Quel Homme returns to perfect physical comfort,” said Jérôme, confirming that the horse will only be available for breeding via frozen semen this season.

“Quel Homme De Hus and his team would like to thank all the people around him who are supporting him in this ordeal, and in particular the Equitom team who are working hard every day to make his return possible,” he said.

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The riders from Sweden’s Olympic showjumping gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo Games have described the victory as a “dream come true”.

Peder Fredricson and All In, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Indiana, and Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward clinched the gold in a tense jump-off against McLain Ward and Contagious, Laura Kraut and Baloutine and Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve for the USA.

Peder, the final Swedish rider to jump, said coming to the last he “did what he could”.

“The pressure was on, my god. It’s not that you don’t want a silver, but in these situations when you are two teams, you really want to win,” he said.

“McLain [Ward] was fast but All In is also fast. I saw [McLain’s] round, and I knew what I had to do. Today the poles stayed up and the time was on my side this time.

“It’s unbelievably satisfying. I really think my horse deserves it. I’m so happy for him, his owner, his groom, my teammates – it’s a great feeling.”

Peder, who also claimed individual silver earlier in the week, said a lot of mental preparation took place ahead of the Games.

“It’s a bit like running a marathon; you have to train and physically be fit – and it’s the same with the mental pressure, you have to be prepared,” he said. “You can’t lie on the sofa, then show up and do it, it’s a lot of hard work.”

Malin said to win an Olympic gold medal is “every athlete’s dream”.

“We have a team behind us that’s incredible; everyone is involved in this medal. The way we have ridden shows how confident we’ve been and they’ve all made it possible for us to totally focus on what we had to do in there,” she said.

Henrik von Eckermann missed out on an individual medal with King Edward on Wednesday (4 August) and said taking the team gold was “even more special now”.

“It was frustrating [placing fourth individually], but I’m so happy with myself. I took myself together and said ‘leave what I can’t change behind me and focus on this – we have an unbelievable chance’.” said Henrik.

“No one can say we didn’t deserve it. Somehow when we went into the jump-off we felt so prepared.”

King Edward was the only horse in the Olympic showjumping competition to produce clears in every round.

“They should have two medals – one for the horse,” he said. “He’s a tribute to himself, the way he does it, he’s unbelievable.

“I knew he had the possibility to do what he did, but to do it, is completely out there. It’s amazing. There’s so many people to thank. We had a fantastic team from the beginning to the end.”

Team USA’s McLain Ward said it was “great to be in the battle” with Sweden.

“Sweden has been lights out – it wasn’t unexpected here, but they took it to another level. We would have had to have had an incredible day to beat them,” he said.

“I think we pushed them right to the limits, and in competition when you push them to that limit and they still win, you’ve got to be proud.”

Jessica Springsteen, who was second to go for USA in the jump-off, said collecting a medal at her first Olympics felt “unbelievable”.

“Watching the last couple go, wondering if we’re going to have to jump-off or not you definitely start to get the jitters but it was also super exciting,” she said.

Laura Kraut added “this is what we do it for”.

“It’s a lot of work and a lot of sweat and tears but I’m thrilled, and I’m so fortunate to have a great team,” she said.

“Kent Farrington [USA’s alternate rider in the team competition] has also been an incredible teammate. He was here supporting us the whole time and he was ready to step in if we felt any of ours were not up for the job.”

The Belgian team of Pieter Devos and Claire Z, Jerome Guery and Quel Homme De Hus and Gregory Wathelet and Nevados S took bronze.

Gregory said the team had done “something amazing” for their country: “Everyone is proud and part of it.”

Pieter said there was “huge pressure” under the new Olympic format.

“It will be an Olympics that will be remembered forever. You have responsibility towards the team so nothing can go wrong. We proved together we could handle that pressure,” he said.

“It was my first Olympics so I didn’t know what to expect, but I can say it was tough sport at the highest level possible. The course designer did fantastic job that’s for sure, and it was a fantastic venue.”

Jerome added he was “really happy“ with the team’s bronze medal.

“You represent a lot; all the people who work behind us, the country, horse sport in Belgium. We worked for it and it feels amazing,” he said.

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Belgium’s Jerome Guery said his Olympic showjumping team bronze medal-winning ride Quel Homme De Hus is the “one horse he would take to war” following their final performance at the Tokyo Games.

The scopey 15-year-old stallion by Quidam De Revel gave everything he had to produce Belgium’s only clear round in the team final. The pair have been marred by the tight time allowances for Santiago Varela’s courses over the week, picking up three time-penalties in the individual final on Wednesday (4 August) and one time-penalty in the team qualifier yesterday (6 August), but this was not an issue today as the pair stepped up a gear.

After coming over the last, Jerome looked thrilled with the stallion’s performance.

“I’m really happy, my horse was amazing – like the other days also,” he said. “He had a super round again. I’m happy I rode well, it wasn’t smooth like yesterday but because it’s the final there was a little bit more stress.

“I sent him directly [forward] to cover the time in the beginning of the course, which was my mistake in the individual final when I didn’t think about the time. I didn’t want to make the same mistake here in this final. I know he is a little bit slow sometimes because he jumps so high you lose time in the air – it’s good to see, but to win the class you need to think about the time; it went perfectly today,” he said.

Jerome Guery has had the ride since 2019 and the combination were part of the bronze medal-winning team at the European Championships in Rotterdam.

“He’s an amazing horse, he has all the scope. He has power, flexibility, a super canter. I’m really lucky to have a horse like this,” he said.

“If I had to take one horse to go to war I’d take him because he is so brave, he has the mentality – he is scared of nothing and so sure of himself. I love him”.

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Leading Olympic showjumping medal contenders Jos Verlooy and Igor have been ruled out of the Tokyo Games owing to injury.

The pair won individual bronze and were part of the gold medal-winning Belgium team at the 2019 Europeans.

Jos, 25, who is ranked 18th in the world, said it was the “toughest downer” of his career, but added that he will instead be the Belgian Olympic team’s “biggest supporter”.

“This is very hard,” said Jos. “If you put everything on the Olympics and then have to cancel less than two months before, you understand that the world is standing still for a while.”

The pair were part of the Belgian side at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, and British fans will have also seen them in action at Hickstead and Olympia, including a top-10 finish in the 2019 King George V Gold Cup.

“Everything had gone according to plan so far,” Jos added. “Two weeks ago I competed Igor for the first time [this year] in Sentower in Oudsbergen. I just let Igor soak up the atmosphere there again.

“The aim was to get him into the rhythm a little more every week, so that he would be fully ready for Tokyo. But then this, out of nowhere. It cannot be grasped.”

Tokyo would have been Jos Verlooy’s first Olympics and he is now looking ahead to Paris for his debut.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever have such a top horse again, a horse with which I could certainly have been on the podium,” he added. “I am convinced that Igor should be able to make it to the Paris Games, also because it is close, but by then he will be 16 years old. That’s the [age] limit, after all.”

Article continues below…

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Jos will be competing in the Global Champions Tour at Valkenswaard this week with his other top ride, Varoune, with whom he will also compete in the Polish leg of the Nations Cup (17-20 June).

“With Varoune we will do everything we can to contribute to a strong performance of the Belgian team,” he added.

“It is a great pity that Tokyo is not going through for us, but Belgium has an unprecedented wealth with top riders such as Devos, Bruynseels, Guéry and others. I wish the riders who do go to Tokyo every success. I will be their biggest supporter.”

In a statement on his Facebook page, Jos said this is a difficult time, but they will “never give up and we will never lose hope”.

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Connections have paid tribute to a CSI5* grand prix-winning showjumper who was fatally injured while competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, US.

H&M Chilli Willi, ridden by Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts, was put down after sustaining a “very complicated fracture” to his left foreleg when he tripped.

A statement from the Philippaerts family said Nicola and Ludo, in consultation with co-owner Frans Lens, had to make a “terrible decision” to have the 13-year-old stallion put down.

The horse joined the Philippaerts’ yard as a seven-year-old and had much top-level success across the world with Nicola. The combination would have been in the running for a place at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics.

The pair were crowned national champions in 2017 and their biggest international win came in the 2018 Global Champions Tour CSI5* Chantilly grand prix. The horse’s performance also helped London Knights to Global Champions League victory that year.

British fans may also remember the pair from 2017 and 2018 London GCTs, with top-10 finishes both years, as well as jumping at Windsor 2019.

They represented Belgium at the Young Horse World Championships, as well as on Nations Cup and senior championship teams, including at the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

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After a quiet year in 2020, owing to the global coronavirus pandemic, 2021 was earmarked as his comeback.

“In January of this year he left for Wellington for three months with Nicola to prepare for the season and in the hope of becoming one of the three Belgian horses that can qualify for the Olympic Games later this year,” said the statement from the family.

“It shouldn’t have been. On Friday, March 26, 2021, the life and beautiful career of the ever motivated, eager, sometimes playful and very sweet H&M Chilli Willi came to an abrupt end. Team Philippaerts is in deep mourning.”

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Belgian riders made history with their gold medal-winning performance in Rotterdam today to take the country’s first ever European team showjumping medal.

The top three sides remained unchanged over night, with Belgium adding just one time fault to their first day total to secure the win ahead of Germany in silver.

Consistently strong performances from Britain across the three days were rewarded with a team bronze medal Olympic qualification.

There were three team qualifying spots available for the 2020 Games at these championships and the other two places went to Belgium and fourth-placed France.

“This is an unbelievable day and I’m very proud of our team,” said Belgian chef d’equipe Peter Weinberg. “We have four top riders with brilliant horses and they did a fantastic job.”

The side of Pieter Devos (Claire Z), Jos Verlooy (Igor), Jerome Guery (Quel Homme De Hus) and Gregory Wathelet (MJT Nevados S) held their overnight lead to add just one time fault from the final round to their first day score of 11.07.

Just 0.15 penalties separated Belgium and Germany with the final two riders left to jump. Daniel Deusseur and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z tipped the blue and white rail at 10b to a collective sigh from the crowd. This meant Belgian team anchor Gregory had a fence in hand — but no more — as he rode into the arena.

The experience rider kept a cool head to jump a fantastic clear with the 11-year-old grey and clinch the gold for Belgium.

Britain showed their class with a third consecutive clear for Ben Maher and Explosion W, who are in the individual lead ahead of Sunday’s contest.

Holly Smith and Hearts Destiny were next to go and jumped out of order due to the 10-year-old Heart Throb gelding springing a shoe in the warm-up. But the combination did not let that rattle them and they put in a strong performance, just knocking the final part of the candy-coloured treble at five, to strengthen Britain’s position and take themselves into Sunday’s final.

Amanda Derbyshire and Luibanta BH had an early pole at fence three, before jumping cleanly across the rest of the course.

“She is a little horse with a big heart and she always goes in there and tries her best,” said Amanda. “I know I had an unlucky rail, but I’m just so happy with her.”

The strength of the British side meant the team was guaranteed a medal before Scott Brash and Hello M’Lady jumped. The pair finished their round on eight faults, lowering the Longines upright at four and the triple rail.

“I think we are all delighted to be going back with a medal,” he said. “The main thing was Olympic qualification, so to secure that and to also go home with a medal, I think we are all absolutely delighted and chuffed.”

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Luck was lacking for defending European Champions Ireland’s luck in the team competition, finishing seventh and out of reach of the Olympic qualification places.

However Rodrigo Pessoa’s side has two riders through to the individual final. These are championship first-timer Peter Moloney (Chianti’s Champion) in provisional 13th and Darragh Kenny (Balou Du Reventon) who is lying in 17th.

Horses and riders have a day off tomorrow (Saturday) and the individual medals will be decided on Sunday afternoon (25 August).

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Belgium’s Rik Hemeryck and the coloured stallion Ulyss Morinda were the eye-catching winners of the top-class Equerry Horse Feeds Bolesworth CSI4* grand prix.

This was the biggest win of the 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion’s career, which came as a result of two quality rounds over Kelvin Bywater’s huge 1.60m track.

“I’m really happy as this is his first grand prix win at a big show,” said Rik, adding he was especially pleased for the owner who was here to witness her horse’s major achievement.

“I’ve been riding him since he was seven and I know him really well — I know not to jump him in a big class on the first day of a show as he can be a bit spooky, the last day [tends to be] the best day for him, certainly today!”

Those watching from the sidelines held their breath as last to jump off Laura Kraut and her new ride Vvaramog De Breve landed over the final oxer following a rapid round. But the clock stopped 0.3 seconds short of Rik’s winning time, putting the US rider into second.

Ellen Whitaker and Arena UK Winston’s two super rounds pinged them into third place and best of the Brits.

Kelvin’s masterful course building resulted in 10 jumping clears coming forwards to the jump-off. Nine of these were on a score of zero, with Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire and her 2018 World Equestrian Games ride Luibanta BH carrying a single time fault.

Running in reverse order, Amanda was first to go against the clock and the pair produced a beautiful steady clear to finish sixth.

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Ireland’s David Simpson (Jennon 55) and Britain’s Alison Barton (Roma IV) finished fourth and fifth respectively, both jumping classy double clears.

Holly Smith and her superstar British team stalwart Hearts Destiny, who had a win earlier in the week, barely breathed on the oxer at fence 15 for an unlucky pole, which cost them the grand prix title and dropped them to seventh.

Former Bolewsorth grand prix winner Anthony Condon finished on the exact same time as Ellen, but clipped an upright to finish eighth.

In ninth was Sweden’s Angelie Con Essen (Daniel) and 10th went to Patrick Lemmen (Ideaal) from the Netherlands.

Don’t miss this week’s Horse & Hound for the 11-page showjumping report from Bolewsorth, plus the full report of all the dressage action, as well as expert analysis, features, news and more.

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William Whitaker has made the decision to base himself in Belgium to further his showjumping career.

The 26-year-old will be taking a handful of his top horses to the yard of Tal Milstein near Brussels. William will also be competing some of Tal’s horses.

“I’ve often thought about the idea of moving abroad to reduce the travelling. It was a hard decision because I like being based in England — apart from the amount of travelling you have to do to get to shows — it is a great place to produce good young horses,” he told H&H.

William’s family, fiancée Elisabeth Fredlund and two young children Isabella and Oliver, plan to make the move with him initially, but will return to the UK when Isabella starts school. He will then spilt his time between the two countries.

“It was also a difficult decision because I have a family to think about too. They will join me to start with but then my daughter is starting school in England, so I will be coming and going a lot,” he added.

“I will be taking some of my best horses to Belgium — although I haven’t decided which yet — and others will remain at the yard in Huddersfield. It will depend on their show plans, I will probably end up swapping and changing horses around, to give some a break,” he said. “My brothers, George and James, will be looking after the yard and riding while I am away.”

Although a move date has not been set in stone, William believes it will be in the next month or so.

“I made the decision to broaden my horizons and I will just see how things develop in the future. I am heading to Royal Windsor this week (12-15 May), so I will be concentrating on that show first before making plans on the move afterwards,” he concluded.

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The Belgian eventing team has a new coach after the country’s equestrian federation (FRBSE) decided not to renew Mark Phillips’ contract at the end of 2014.

Olympic rider Marc Rigouts has taken over from Mark, and will be tasked with trying to help the team qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

The Belgian team finished in 10th place at WEG after two of their riders failed to complete to the cross-country phase.

The team will therefore have to try and gain their Olympic place at the European eventing championships at Blair this autumn (10-13 September). The top two teams, that have not already qualified, will head to Rio.

“After assessing the actions taken for WEG and after consultation with the riders of high performance sport in this Olympic discipline, the steering committee of the FRBSE decided to stop working with the current coach, Mark Phillips,” FRBSE said in a statement.

Marc rode for Belgium at the London Olympics and also coached the team at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. The 56-year-old has been the Belgian national champion four times and also coached the Dutch team in 1993 and 1994.

“His many skills such as experience, technical knowledge, accessibility, availability, communication skills, sense of the horse and his affinity with the world of eventing in Belgium made him the ideal candidate,” the statement added.

Marc said that he was looking forward to “raising the bar” for Belgian eventing.

“I will try to implement the right tools to achieve an increasing level of performance, thanks to a modern management and training, ” he said.

It is not clear what Mark Phillips’ next role might be.

The H&H columnist has designed the cross-country course for a new $50,000 (£32952) compact eventing class being hosted in Florida this weekend (30-31 January).

He is also the course-designer for the four-star tracks at Burghley and Luhmühlen. Last October it was announced that he would design the CIC2* course at Rockingham Castle International Horse Trials (22-24 May).

Mark was previously coach for the US eventing team in the run-up to the London Olympics (pictured top).

H&H was unable to reach Mark for comment prior to publication.

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Britain’s young rider endurance team won bronze at the FEI European junior and young rider endurance championships 2012 in Mont le Soie, Belgium (8 September).

France claimed team gold and Italy silver in the 58-horse race.

Three of the original 61 horses were spun at the pre-ride inspection – Norwegian entrant Kine Eissland Holen’s Shere Khan, Finnish rider Joona Mickelsson’s Solomonas and Belgium’s Cairo, ridden by Raphael Van Cauter.

Nine teams fought it out over the dramatic scenery of the High Ardennes, with the French team finishing on 19:06:39.

Italy was just 74sec behind on 19:07:53 and the Brits – Carri-Ann Dark (Vavavoom), Beth Langley (HS Ametista), Kate Atkinson (Vanash) and Louise Rich (Oakleazefarm Cziko) came in third, on 20:54:43.

The individual winner was Mara Feola of Italy and Grigali, who finished with a speed of 18.907kph.

France’s Cesar Donnais won individual silver with Srour (18.906kph) and his team-mate Nina Lissarrague and Preume De Paute won bronze (18.904kph).

• For a full report, see H&H issue 20 September.

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The Belgian dressage team for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games has been announced.

It includes:

• Jeroen Devroe riding Apollo van het Vijverhof
• Stefan van Ingelgem with Whitney van’t Genthof
• Philippe Jorissen and Le Beau
• Claudia Fassaert on Donnerfee

The Belgian federation said the riders were selected based on their recent competition performances.

• Read all the latest World Equestrian Games news

Members of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) are flying to Geneva today for an appeal against Great Britain’s relegation from the top tier of show jumping’s Nations Cup competition.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) was forced to pore over its rule book when in August Team GB and Belgium tied in eighth place in the 2009 competition.

The rules stated that the bottom two of the ten teams in the competition should be relegated to the promotional league. But the FEI rules conflicted as to which of the two teams it should be.

On 24 August the FEI ruled that in the interests of fairness both teams should stay up, but just a month later the FEI made a U-turn and demoted both teams.

The BEF has appealed the decision and that case will be heard by the FEI tribunal, tomorrow in Geneva.

BEF chief executive Andrew Finding told H&H: “The FEI’s rules were ambiguous to say the least. We are appealing on the behalf of British show jumping but also for our riders, who deserve to be jumping at the highest level.”

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Derbyshire show jumper Laura Newman will not face extradition to Belgium for questioning in a horse rustling case, a court has decided.

The 29-year-old from Breaston, was arrested on 9 July over the alleged theft of four horses said to be worth £150,000.

The horses were allegedly taken from a yard in Liege, Belgium on 27 December last year.

Miss Newman told H&H: “As I have said all along there was no truth in the allegations.”

Her solicitor Stephen Gentle explained the situation: “The European arrest warrant was withdrawn and extradition proceedings were discontinued on 30 October.

“An order was made for her legal costs to be paid back to her from ‘central funds’ — that is the public purse.

“Laura has been assisting the Belgian authorities on a voluntary basis as a witness.

“She is obviously very pleased at this outcome and feels vindicated as she has always regarded herself as a victim of others in this matter.”

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The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is to appeal against the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) decision to relegate both Team GB and the Belgians from the 2010 Nations Cup competition.

In a statement the BEF said: “Following the FEI’s announcement that both Great Britain and Belgium, as well as Italy, will be relegated from the 2010 FEI Nations Cup Top League, the British Equestrian Federation does not accept that decision and will be defending Britain’s place in the league.

“The federation, in conjunction with the British Show Jumping Association, will be appealing against the decision.”

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The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has executed an abrupt about turn in the situation surrounding the results of the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series and ruled that both Great Britain and the Belgians will be relegated.

Representatives for both teams have previously told H&H that if this happened they would appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS), so show jumping can expect a long, drawn out wrangle over this decision.

In a statement, the FEI announced this morning: “Following consultation with national federations, riders and event organisers, the FEI Bureau today decided that Great Britain and Belgium will both be relegated from the Meydan FEI Nations Cup. “

Both GB and the Belgian team finished the 2009 season in eighth place on equal points ahead of the Italians, who were also relegated.

Rules did not make clear which team should be relegated to the promotional league, or second division, so the FEI decided both should stay in the competition.

But less than a month later the FEI has changed its mind.

“This decision was taken in the best interest of the sport,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said.

“This is the very first time I have seen all the elements of our sport joined together in a common vision. The FEI, the national federations, riders and organisers are convinced that the eight-team format is the only sustainable format.”

The FEI added that the two highest placed teams in the Nations Cup Promotional League Final, which will be held in Barcelona (ESP) on 20 September, will be promoted to the FEI Nations Cup Top League for the 2010 season.

The procedure for next year will be the relegation of three teams and the promotion of two teams in order to reduce the number of teams to eight in 2011.

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Great Britain and Belgium could both stay in the Meydan FEI World Cup series for next year after an unanimous decision of International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Bureau. And they may also be joined by Italy, meaning 12 teams in the 2010 series.

The FEI announced today that they would like both Britain and Belgium to stay in the competition after a rules mix up meant it was not clear which team should be relegated. But they said the final decision will be made by show organisers and the sponsors Meydan.

Britain and Belgium were tied in eighth place after the final competition of the series, at the Dublin Horse Show. And FEI rules were contradictory over who should be relegated with last-placed Italy.

But at a meeting of the FEI Bureau it was decided that “the governing body has a responsibility to translate its own rules in a sporting fashion and to understand clearly the pressures that are faced by the national federations and athletes as a result of the current economic hardships”.

And as a result, subject to competition organisers’ agreement, both teams should stay up.

But the Italian team now “feels strongly” that even though they finished 10th and last in the Nations Cup, they too should be allowed to compete in next year’s series.

They believe that if a concession is made for two teams, they should be included as a third.

The FEI jumping committee is looking into the matter.

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Belgian and Ukrainian Olympic show jumper Jean-Claude Van Geenberghe, 46, died suddenly on Saturday 9 May while competing at an event in the Ukraine.

A German newspaper has reported that Mr Van Geenburge collapsed during the prize giving having won a class. An aneurism is suspected.

Mr Van Geenberghe, who won the Belgian national championship three times, was well known and respected on the international jumping circuit.

He won the Aachen Grand Prix in 1987 and 1995 and was placed 16th individually at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, where he rode for Belgium.

He changed nationality after marrying an Ukrainian and competed for Ukraine at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, coming 10th individually.

Mr Van Geenberghe was also involved in Zilveren Spoor equestrian centre in Moorsele, Belgium, which hosts several international events annually.

International Equestrian Federation director of jumping John Roche said: “Jean-Claude’s untimely death comes as a tremendous shock to all of us and creates a huge void in the equestrian world.

“He was a great horsemen whose involvement, passion and dedication to the sport will be greatly missed. We all admired his talent and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

His funeral will take place on 19 May in Moorsele.

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