What a finale to the 10th edition of the Belgian Dressage Championships in Lier, organised by Belgium Dressage Events. After five days of top-level sport, it was ultimately Wim Verwimp and Jedai de Massa who claimed the Belgian title. The experienced rider held on during a thrilling Freestyle to Music and added a remarkable chapter to his career: 32 years after winning his first Belgian championship, he can once again call himself national champion.

The final Freestyle provided plenty of excitement. Jeroen Devroe and Lestor delivered the highest Freestyle score of the day with 75.145%, putting maximum pressure on the leader. Verwimp encountered a small tension-related mistake during his test, but thanks to a lead of more than three percent from the previous rounds, he remained out of reach. With a Freestyle score of 74.190% and a total score of 216.178%, Verwimp and Jedai de Massa secured the gold medal. Devroe and Lestor finished second in the championship with a total of 214.647%.

“He really is my mate”
“A fantastic day with a fantastic result,” said a delighted Verwimp afterwards. “The feeling just keeps getting better, he really is my mate,” Wim said about the 12-year-old Don Juan de Hus son, Jedai de Massa. “To become Belgian Champion again after 32 years, following a ten-year break from competition, who would have thought that? I am definitely going to enjoy this. The victory is even more special because I am also one of the organisers of the Belgian Championships.” The newly crowned champion also had words of praise for his fellow podium finishers. “It is also wonderful for Jeroen. He has done this eight times already and really kept the pressure on over the past few days. And having Suraya join us on the podium is fantastic as well. I think she has been the most successful rider of the entire championship, so it is thoroughly deserved.”

Most successful rider of the championships
Those words were certainly justified. Suraya Hendrikx and Dear Friend 2 collected their fourth medal of the weekend. Earlier, she had already claimed gold medals in the Small Tour, Briljant Cup and Diamant Cup, before adding a bronze medal in the senior championship. With a Freestyle score of 73.375% and a total score of 209.894%, she secured her place on the podium. “I’m certainly not going to complain today,” Hendrikx laughed. “The feeling was really good. When I saluted at the end, I felt like I had just ridden one of my best Freestyles ever. Everything felt quite easy, even though it is difficult. His pirouettes are really good these days, which is why I included four of them in my Freestyle. He used to find them much more difficult, but now they are one of his strengths. He may not be the most spectacular horse, but he performs all the movements so well.”

“I went for it”
Hendrikx knew the battle for bronze was far from over. “After two consistent tests, and knowing that Jeroen’s second horse would be removed from the final standings due to the rules, I was sitting in the bronze medal position. But we were all very close together and one percent in a Freestyle is nothing, so anything could happen. I really went for it to hold on to that bronze position, but they were right behind me. They are all good combinations with good horses, so nothing was decided until the very end.” Even if Jeroen Devroe had been allowed to keep two horses in the final championship standings, Hendrikx would still have secured the bronze medal.

Twelve Belgian champions
The final Freestyle also brought five days of Belgian Championship action in Lier to a close. More than 300 horses and over 200 riders competed across four arenas, once again making the event one of the largest dressage competitions in the world. Including last week’s CDIO Lier, it became the largest dressage event of all. Alongside the senior Belgian title, national champions were crowned in the youth and para divisions. Championships were also decided in the Diamant Cup, Briljant Cup, Platina Cup and Small Tour.

Farewell to Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof
The final day also featured a special moment away from the championship battle. Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof entered the arena together with Domien Michiels for the final time. The pair were honoured afterwards in recognition of their many years of contribution to Belgian dressage, including their historic Nations Cup victory in Lier last year. The championship therefore concluded not only with the crowning of new Belgian champions, but also as a celebration of the depth and strength of Belgian dressage. With champions across all age categories, strong performances throughout the various cups and an impressive turnout of riders and horses, the organisers can look back on a successful anniversary edition.

Results

Feline Verreet and Livah Diar proved untouchable at the Belgian Dressage Championships in Lier. The pair won all three championship tests and secured the Belgian Junior title in convincing fashion. Charlott Blevi and Junior Hit claimed the silver medal, while Amélie Willem and Glendale vd Kempenhoeve completed the podium in third place.

For Verreet, the title is the result of years of work with a horse that has become incredibly special to her. “I’ve had her since she was born”, she explains. “My mother trained her and my grandfather backed her. That makes this championship very special.” The pair have only been competing together at Junior level for a year after Verreet stepped up from the Children division. In that relatively short time, they have already developed into a successful combination, a partnership that was on full display throughout the championship in Lier.

“Livah always gives me a very good feeling in the arena. Her trot is truly incredible and she will always give that little bit extra. That’s what makes her so special and why I can always rely on her.” That confidence translated into three victories from three tests and the Belgian Junior title. Yet for Verreet, the connection with her mare goes far beyond sport. “The bond we have is something I can’t really put into words. Livah is so much more than just a horse.”

The newly crowned Belgian Champion already has her sights set firmly on the future. With two more years left in the Junior ranks, she hopes to continue building towards the next step together with her trusted partner. “After Juniors, I would love to compete in the U25 classes with her and hopefully one day even ride Grand Prix. That’s the dream.” After a flawless championship in Lier, Verreet and Livah Diar confirmed themselves as one of the combinations to watch for the future.

Results

With just one competition left to go, the Belgian Dressage Championships remain wide open. Fridays evening’s Grand Prix Special was won by Jeroen Devroe and Lestor, who were the very first combination down the centre line and saw their score of 69.872% remain unbeaten throughout the class. Championship leader Wim Verwimp and Jedai de Massa finished second in a test where the wind played a significant role.

For four consecutive days, the Belgian Dressage Championships had been blessed with glorious summer weather, but the conditions changed ahead of Fridays evening’s Grand Prix Special. Strong winds picked up around Azelhof, creating an extra challenge for the combinations and ensuring that the championship remains undecided heading into the final day.

“The wind was in my favour”
How did Jeroen Devroe feel afterwards? “Relieved, I think the rider with the fewest mistakes won today,” he laughed. “The wind was in my favour,” added the eight-time Belgian champion with a smile. “I’m happy with both horses and also with the way I rode. With Jackpot, I come out of the arena feeling better every time. And Lestor is a bit of a special horse. It’s great to see things coming together so well in the ring now.” Looking ahead to Sunday’s Freestyle, the experienced Belgian remains remarkably relaxed. “I just hope to ride well, and whatever happens, happens. For me, this championship is already a success. As for who will win, I think that’s already clear. Today he was a little unlucky with the wind, but that certainly won’t happen again tomorrow,” he said, referring to Wim Verwimp.

An exciting championship battle
According to Belgian national coach Jeroen van Lent, the impact of the weather conditions was clearly reflected in the scores. “I’ve had a very positive impression of the first two days. We saw a few more mistakes than in the Grand Prix, but that was certainly influenced by the weather. The trot work was generally good to very good, but in the canter work we saw some mistakes creeping in. Afterwards, the judges even mentioned that there wasn’t a single completely faultless test. It’s a great championship and it’s still very exciting, which is exactly what makes it so interesting. The scores were very close today.” Van Lent also believes Belgian dressage is becoming stronger across the board. “The same applies to para dressage, where I also serve as national coach. That’s a positive development because it shows that the foundation of our sport is becoming broader.”

Verwimp still leads the standings
Despite finishing second in the Grand Prix Special with a score of 69.553%, Wim Verwimp remains at the top of the provisional championship standings. Devroe currently occupies second place, while his other horse, Jackpot van de Kempenhoeve, sits third. As only one horse per rider can count towards the final championship classification, the battle for the medals remains completely open. Suraya Hendrikx currently holds fourth place, followed by Tommie Visser in fifth. Everything will be decided on Sunday in the Freestyle to Music, where the new Belgian Champion will be crowned.

Results