{"id":21609,"date":"2025-10-20T14:33:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T12:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/jumping-mechelen-brings-european-champions-together-for-spectacular-final-four\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T20:22:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T19:22:39","slug":"jumping-mechelen-brings-european-champions-together-for-spectacular-final-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/en\/jumping-mechelen-brings-european-champions-together-for-spectacular-final-four\/","title":{"rendered":"Jumping Mechelen brings European champions together for spectacular Final Four"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-ast-global-color-0-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ce3d1b05de223ce4457443caa3e10027\" style=\"padding-bottom:0\">News<\/h1>\n\n\n<h2 style=\"font-size:47px;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0rem;padding-right:0rem;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-post-title\">Jumping Mechelen brings European champions together for spectacular Final Four<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-text-align-center has-link-color wp-elements-afbbe33cb1d0a6a53405376e64ec92b7 wp-block-post-date has-text-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\"><time datetime=\"2025-10-20T14:33:31+02:00\">20 October 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-layout-flex uagb-block-cb98215b alignwide uagb-is-root-container\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-ast-global-color-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-559b742c1e9ad2c4746c6428de55a2a8\"> Gilles Thomas, Thibeau Spits, Nicola Philippaerts and Pieter Devos swap horses in a one-of-a-kind challenge at the Nekkerhal<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">From December 26 to 30, the Nekkerhal will once again be the heart of Belgian equestrian sport. For five days, Jumping Mechelen will bring together world-class competition and unforgettable moments. A brand-new highlight is set for Friday, December 26 at 9:30 p.m., when the Final Four makes its Jumping Mechelen debut. This unique class promises edge-of-your-seat excitement as Belgium\u2019s European Championship gold medallists, Gilles Thomas, Thibeau Spits, Nicola Philippaerts and Pieter Devos, first ride their own horses before switching onto each other\u2019s.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">One course, four champions, endless surprises. How quickly will they connect with a new horse? How much trust can they build in just a few jumps? <br>It\u2019s a rare opportunity for the crowd to witness pure horsemanship at the very highest level.<br><br>    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-910016d0 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Team-BEL-ACOR25SL1287-006-6078-scaled-e1761117936348.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What is the Final Four?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDe paardenwissel was vroeger d\u00e9 grote finale van de wereldkampioenschappen,\u201d vertelt medeorganisator Wendy Wauters. \u201cEn dit jaar brengen we die legendarische proef voor het eerst naar Mechelen. Het publiek krijgt dus een stukje topsportgeschiedenis voorgeschoteld, maar dan live in de Nekkerhal.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">En de deelnemers? Dat zijn niet de minsten. \u201cOnze Belgische EK-kampioenen die dit jaar goud pakten op het EK 2025, staan straks aan de start,\u201d zegt Wendy. \u201cZe hebben elk hun eigen stijl, maar moeten plots op een ander paard springen en in enkele minuten de juiste klik vinden. Voor het publiek is dat geweldig: je ziet van dichtbij hoe ze het aanpakken en hoe snel ze zich aanpassen. Dat maakt het van begin tot einde razend spannend.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">How does it work? \u201cEach rider first completes a round of nine or ten jumps on their own horse. Then they move on to another rider\u2019s horse. They bring their own saddle, take two warm-up jumps, and then go straight into the full course. Everything takes place in the main arena, so spectators can follow every detail, even those very first jumps on a horse they\u2019ve never ridden before. In the end, everyone rides all four horses. If there\u2019s still a tie, a jump-off will decide the winner.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHet parcours staat op 1m45,\u201d vult Wendy aan. \u201cEn als je dan bedenkt dat ze dat moeten rijden met paarden waar ze nog nooit eerder mee hebben gereden, besef je pas hoe groot de uitdaging is. Voor het publiek is het tegelijk een unieke kans om te zien hoe topruiters zich bliksemsnel aanpassen.\u201d Ze zijn er ontzettend enthousiast over, maar ook benieuwd: hoe gaat dit aflopen?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Wendy also highlights Jumping Mechelen\u2019s tradition of surprises. \u201cEvery year we want to bring something new. Think of the Old Masters with Stephan Conter and Ludo Philippaerts, or the Battle of the Disciplines and the Battle of the Champions. This year it\u2019s all about the Final Four. Without a doubt, it will be one of the absolute highlights of Jumping Mechelen.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Champions on the Final Four<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Onze gouden EK-ruiters laten alvast hun enthousiasme horen over de paardenwissel in Mechelen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">For Gilles Thomas, it is a unique opportunity. \u201cI always enjoyed watching the Final Four at the World Championships. It\u2019s unfortunate that the class no longer exists, so being able to ride it now at Jumping Mechelen makes it even more special.\u201d He is keeping quiet about which horse he will bring. \u201cI already have an idea, but I\u2019ll keep that to myself so the others can\u2019t prepare too much,\u201d he says with a smile. One horse he is curious about is Impress K van \u2019t Kattenheye, ridden by Thibeau Spits. \u201cI once rode him on the flat and immediately liked the feeling. I\u2019d love to try a full course with him.\u201d     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nicola Philippaerts kijkt vooral naar de beleving. \u201cVoor ons is dit een heel toffe proef, maar vooral voor het publiek wordt het bijzonder. Het is uniek om een andere ruiter op je paard te zien. Dat zorgt altijd voor spanning en sfeer.\u201d Zijn keuze van paard maakt hij pas vlak voor de wedstrijd. \u201cEn wie er gaat winnen? Misschien Gilles, omdat hij zich altijd snel kan aanpassen, maar eigenlijk hebben we allemaal veel ervaring met verschillende paarden.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Thibeau Spits points to the challenge. \u201cIt\u2019s a very interesting competition. We are used to changing horses, so I\u2019m looking forward to riding the others\u2019 horses this time.\u201d He has not yet chosen which of his own horses to bring. \u201cIt could be one of my top horses, or maybe one that\u2019s a bit more sensitive, just to make it harder for the others. I haven\u2019t decided yet.\u201d If he could pick one himself, his choice is clear: \u201cEveryone would want to ride Ermitage Kalone. That horse always leaves an impression.\u201d    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ook Pieter Devos kijkt erg uit naar het moment. \u201cIk denk dat het vooral voor het publiek heel interessant wordt om verschillende ruiters met verschillende paarden aan het werk te zien. Dat zie je bijna nooit. En tegelijk is het voor ons, als collega\u2019s en vrienden, een unieke ervaring om die oefening samen te doen. Dat maakt het enorm boeiend.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing is certain: this will be an evening both riders and spectators will remember for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-100x125.png 100w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Visuals-JM-18-1-scaled.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Jumping Mechelen inspires the champions of tomorrow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Gilles Thomas, Nicola Philippaerts, Thibeau Spits and Pieter Devos are the European gold medalists today. But years ago, they were children chasing their first dreams in the arena of Jumping Mechelen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">For Gilles Thomas, the memories are still very vivid. \u201cAs a young rider, Jumping Mechelen was always the highlight of my year. I came to support my uncle Marc Van Dijck, while riding the mini steeple and the youth classes myself. My very first five-star start was here, after being named talent of the year. It gave me the chance to experience the sport at the highest level for the first time.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">For Nicola Philippaerts, the show is forever linked with family. \u201cI was still riding my first pony style classes when I saw my father win the FEI Jumping World Cup in Mechelen. That is something I will never forget. Later, I got to ride the style final in the main arena myself, with the crowd, the pressure, the atmosphere. Those are things you cannot learn in training; you only experience them at Jumping Mechelen, and they stay with you throughout your career.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Thibeau Spits explains how the show continues to drive him forward. \u201cI\u2019ve competed in almost every class here, from the mini steeple and B-ponies right up to five-star level. Jumping Mechelen has always been, and still is, a goal for me, something to work towards each season. It motivates me to keep improving, while also reminding me to enjoy the sport.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Pieter Devos recalls his own path step by step. \u201cI was always here, first as a child in the stands, later in the pony classes. I started in the B-arena, then the A-arena, and when I was eighteen or nineteen I rode my first FEI Jumping World Cup here. Those moments stay with you for life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Together, their stories show what Jumping Mechelen has represented for decades: inspiring young riders, creating opportunities and giving them a stage to grow. Today, Gilles, Nicola, Thibeau and Pieter are European champions, but once they stood in the Nekkerhal with the same dream as every child in the audience today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"21602\" src=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Spits-T-MECH24A5582-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spits Thibeau, BEL, Gin Flip de Muze Z<br>\u00a9 Hippo Foto Media &#8211; Dirk Caremans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"21603\" src=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Thomas-G-MECH24A30584-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thomas Gilles, BEL, Ermitage Kalone<br>\u00a9 Hippo Foto Media &#8211; Dirk Caremans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Don\u2019t wait!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Want to experience the Final Four at Jumping Mechelen? Act quickly. This new class with Belgium\u2019s European champions is certain to be one of the highlights of the week. Ticket sales are moving faster than ever: Business Seats are already sold out and the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, presented by BMW, is almost full. The Final Four is expected to be one of the most in-demand sessions of the entire edition.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s only the beginning. The opening night on Friday, December 26 has always combined top sport with celebration. At 9:30 p.m., the Final Four will make its Jumping Mechelen debut, a class that promises tension from the very first jump and sets the stage for an evening full of energy. After three successful editions in the Christmas Arena, JM Feest returns in a new format. The village square will come alive with live music, food stands and a lively atmosphere, while the main arena showcases sport at the very highest level.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t miss it, secure your tickets now! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-buttons uagb-buttons__outer-wrap uagb-btn__default-btn uagb-btn-tablet__default-btn uagb-btn-mobile__default-btn uagb-block-7a0af711\"><div class=\"uagb-buttons__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap \">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-buttons-child uagb-buttons__outer-wrap uagb-block-7121ddb5 wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-button__wrapper\"><a class=\"uagb-buttons-repeater wp-block-button__link\" aria-label=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketmaster.be\/artist\/jumping-mechelen-tickets\/1317603?language=nl-be\" rel=\"follow noopener\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\"><div class=\"uagb-button__link\">Tickets<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-383a0e27 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From December 26 to 30, the Nekkerhal will once again be the heart of Belgian equestrian sport. For five days, Jumping Mechelen will bring together world-class competition and unforgettable moments. A brand-new highlight is set for Friday, December 26 at 9:30 p.m., when the Final Four makes its Jumping Mechelen debut. This unique class promises edge-of-your-seat excitement as Belgium\u2019s European Championship gold medallists, Gilles Thomas, Thibeau Spits, Nicola Philippaerts and Pieter Devos, first ride their own horses before switching onto each other\u2019s.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":21599,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homenews-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Nekkerhal - A heartfelt call to protect our home base - Jumping mechelen<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jumping-mechelen.com\/en\/jumping-mechelen-brings-european-champions-together-for-spectacular-final-four\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nekkerhal - A heartfelt call to protect our home base - Jumping mechelen\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From December 26 to 30, the Nekkerhal will once again be the heart of Belgian equestrian sport. For five days, Jumping Mechelen will bring together world-class competition and unforgettable moments. A brand-new highlight is set for Friday, December 26 at 9:30 p.m., when the Final Four makes its Jumping Mechelen debut. 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