Belgian dressage champions keen to defend title at Belgian Championship
The Belgian Dressage Championship will start in two days and is held in Lier from May 24 through 28. The registration has closed and that means we now know which names will contend for the Belgian dressage titles. One thing is certain, the entry list features a record number of combinations and nearly all the reigning champions are present to defend their title.
During the Pentecost weekend, Belgium’s top riders in the senior, youth and para dressage divisions descend on the Azelhof Equestrian Centre in Lier to compete at the Belgium Dressage Championship.
Belgium’s finest
The reigning Belgian dressage champion Larissa Pauluis is set to participate with two horses. Both her Olympic Flambeau and her ace of the World Championships Dressage of Herning, First-Step Valentin, are featured on the entry list. The winner of silver, Amandine Prevost, and the bronze medallist Charlotte Delfalqu, are also in attendance to secure another podium position. And the list goes on, several other top Belgian riders eager to get their hands on the medals are Jorinde Verwimp, Laurence Roos, Jeroen Devroe and Domien Michiels.
Youth steps up
Besides the Belgian Championship at Grand Prix level, there is the Small Tour championship. Isabelle Cool is the reigning Belgian Champion and does not forfeit the chance to defend her hard-earned title. On the list of participants in the U25 class we find the current champion Laura Luyten. Last year’s champion of the Junior division Jette de Jong has made the transition to the Young Riders and plans to compete aboard two horses. Liezel Everas also made a step forward. This year, the reigning pony champion contends among the Junior riders, as will Children champion Amber Hennes.
Commentary by Gert Jan van Olst
In addition to the Belgian Championship segments, the show program includes classes for 4- to 7-year-old dressage horses, the Diamant Cup, the Briljant Cup, and the Platina Cup. The young horse classes on Thursday are a training competition for which Gert Jan van Olst provides the commentary. Friday marks the start of the competitions, at night the day is concluded with a rider’s party.
You are invited
It promises to be a week filled with exciting dressage sport and the weather forecasts are equally bright. We hope to welcome you in Lier. Thursday through Sunday, the entry fee is 10 euro per person. Via the website and the social media channels of Belgium Dressage Events, you find the timetable, starting lists, results, list of participants and the latest news.
