Homenews

Day two of Jumping Mechelen was almost entirely devoted to breeding. The clear highlight of the day was the Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World, presented by Zangersheide, a class that once again underlined the importance of top-level stallions in the sport.
A total of 28 riders came forward with stallions aged eight and older. Eight combinations made it through to the jump-off, including three Belgian riders. The standard was exceptionally high, and the tension in the arena matched it every step of the way.

The Belgian Indoor Championship, presented by Paardensport Vlaanderen & Avant, delivered excitement right up to the very last round. From a strong field of 40 riders, 15 combinations eventually qualified for the jump-off in the 1.45m class.

With heavy hearts, we think back to the tragic traffic accident last year, in which Haley, just 18 years old, lost her life. A loss that continues to resonate.

Jumping Mechelen 2025 has only just kicked off, but the atmosphere is already electric. Tickets are selling at record speed, and that is no exaggeration. Shortly after sales opened, all tickets for the early programme on 30 December, featuring the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™, presented by BMW, were snapped up. Never before have tickets sold out so quickly after launch.

Twelve young prospects were awarded the highest status of T1 talent by the Talents Programme of Paardensport Vlaanderen. Each year, one rider from this select group is named Talent of the Year. This time, the honour goes to Roy Van Beek (23).
Van Beek made his breakthrough at five-star level this season, earning selections for the CSIO 5* Nations Cups of Hickstead and Calgary, as well as the GCT Grand Prix events in Madrid and Valkenswaard. The expert panel was unanimous in its decision: Roy Van Beek is a well-deserved Talent of the Year 2025.

When you look back at the defining dressage story of 2025, one name quickly stands out: Justin Verboomen. With his nine-year-old stallion Zonik Plus, the 38-year-old Belgian not only pushed his own limits this season, but also rewrote the record books with a series of milestones and firsts.

Gilles Thomas, the poster rider of Jumping Mechelen 2025, enjoyed an exceptionally strong sporting year. He became European team champion and individual bronze medallist with the Red Musketiers, the Belgian team, in A Coruña, and crowned his season by becoming the youngest winner ever of the Longines Global Champions Tour, claiming the overall title with victories in Paris and New York, and podium finishes in Rome and Shanghai.

As tradition dictates, the FEI Driving World Cup, presented by Lotto and Paardensport Vlaanderen, once again forms the spectacular finale of Jumping Mechelen.

Dressage enthusiasts can once again enjoy a strong programme, culminating in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix on Sunday 29 December, followed by the Freestyle on Monday 30 December.

Show jumping fans can enjoy five days of top-level sport, but the highlight comes on Tuesday 30 December, with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup presented by BMW on the schedule.