Controversy reigns over Belgium SJ team selection for WEG
The Belgium showjumping team for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) will not change despite a ruling by the Belgium Arbitration Court for Sport (CBAS) that Constant van Paesschen (pictured top) should be included.
The 20-year-old rider and the owner of his horse Citizenguard Toscan de Sainte Hermelle have contested the combination’s non-selection for WEG. Yesterday (21 August) the CBAS decided that they should be included in the WEG team.
The Belgium Equestrian Federation (FRBSE) was therefore left to decide which of the selected riders would have to step down in order for Constant to join the team.
However, a statement released by FRBSE has confirmed that the team originally selected — Pieter Devos (Dream of India Greenfield), Jos Lansink (Ensor de Litrange LXII), Olivier Philippaerts (Cabrio van de Heffinck), Gregory Wathelet (Conrad de Hus) — remains the same.
“This decision was taken unanimously after deliberation by the sports committee,” said the statement.
The federations said that is unable to “carry out” the ruling made by CBAS on the grounds that it would result in removing other selected combinations without a justification.
“It is in the interest of equestrian sport and respect for agreements taken with the riders involved,” the statement added.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.