Clients Trained by Thibault Vermeulen Excel at Stephex Brussels Mastersasters

Stephex Brussels Masters once again delivered the kind of sport that tests every part of a show jumping programme: careful preparation, rideability, speed, composure, and the ability to produce results across several days of competition.

For Thibault Vermeulen’s clients and the Belgium-based Team Chestnut Farms, it was a highly successful week. With combinations entered across the CSI1, CSI2, and CSIYH divisions, the schedule stayed full from start to finish. The results reflected the depth of the group, with strong placings, clear rounds, Grand Prix qualification, young horse success, and impressive rider rankings.

From Maxime Boelaert’s consistency in the CSI1 division to Kiara Leroy’s clear jumping performances in CSI2, and Oscar van den Berghe’s results across both CSI2 and CSIYH1, the week showed the value of steady production and focused coaching at one of Belgium’s standout international shows.

A busy week for Team Chestnut Farms at a favourite Belgian show

Stephex Brussels Masters is known for attracting competitive fields and producing sport that demands accuracy. The atmosphere, course design, and level of competition create a valuable setting for riders at multiple stages of development.

For a coaching team, a show like this gives a clear view of where each partnership stands. It rewards horses that stay rideable under pressure and riders who can make good decisions from the first fence to the last. Across the week, Thibault Vermeulen’s clients showed exactly that.

The team had horses competing in several divisions:

• CSI1* classes, with riders building strong results over 1.15m and 1.20m tracks

• CSI2* classes, where combinations faced more technical tracks and deeper fields

• CSIYH1* classes, with young horses gaining valuable international mileage

  
  

That spread matters. Success across different levels shows more than one good round. It points to a training system that supports riders in the ring and helps horses gain confidence through the week.

The headline results came from several combinations, each with a different story. Some performances stood out for speed and placing. Others stood out for their clarity, control, and ability to produce under pressure. Together, they made it a memorable show for the Team Chestnut Farms group.

Maxime Boelaert delivered a standout CSI1* campaign

Maxime Boelaert had an excellent week in the CSI1* division with three horses: Onyx de Royal Horse, Capri Sun 5, and Nazaire Vd Watermolen. Her results showed both consistency and versatility, with strong finishes across multiple classes and different formats.

In the CSI 1.20m Two Phases Special presented by Stephex Breeding Collection, Boelaert earned two top 12 finishes. She placed 10th with Capri Sun 5 and 11th with Onyx de Royal Horse, a strong showing in a class where both jumping quality and quick second-phase execution mattered.

Two-phase classes place particular pressure on rhythm and balance. Riders need to produce a clean, organised first phase, then be ready to adjust the plan if the round continues into the jump-off section. It is a useful test of how well a horse stays connected after the course opens up.

Boelaert’s results in the 1.15m classes were even more notable.

In the CSI 1.15m Table A Against the Clock, she finished 2nd with Nazaire Vd Watermolen. Against the clock classes leave less room for hesitation. Riders must know where they can be efficient without taking away from the horse’s jump. A second-place finish in that format speaks to a polished round and a partnership ready to compete.

The pair then repeated that level of form in the CSI 1.15m Two Phase Special presented by Stephex Motorhomes, finishing 2nd again. In the same class, Boelaert also earned 6th place with Onyx de Royal Horse, adding another strong result to her week.

Her final recognition came in the rider standings, where Boelaert ranked 4th on the CSI best rider list. That is a meaningful achievement because it reflects results across the show rather than a single class.

Rider	Horse	Class	Result
Maxime Boelaert	Capri Sun 5	CSI1* 1.20m Two Phases Special presented by Stephex Breeding Collection	10th
Maxime Boelaert	Onyx de Royal Horse	CSI1* 1.20m Two Phases Special presented by Stephex Breeding Collection	11th
Maxime Boelaert	Nazaire Vd Watermolen	CSI1* 1.15m Table A Against the Clock	2nd
Maxime Boelaert	Nazaire Vd Watermolen	CSI1* 1.15m Two Phase Special presented by Stephex Motorhomes	2nd
Maxime Boelaert	Onyx de Royal Horse	CSI1* 1.15m Two Phase Special presented by Stephex Motorhomes	6th

For any rider managing multiple horses at one show, consistency is a skill in itself. Each horse needs a different warm-up, a different feel in the hand, and often a different plan in the ring. Boelaert’s results across three mounts showed smart management and strong execution.

Kiara Leroy and L-Ratallion My Z rose to the CSI2* challenge

Kiara Leroy and L-Ratallion My Z also produced an impressive week in the CSI2* division. Their performances stood out for clear jumping and the ability to step up when the track demanded precision.

The pair jumped a clear round in the CSI 1.40m Two Phases presented by Four Equestrian, a result that helped qualify them for the CSI2 Grand Prix presented by Stephex Horse Trucks*.

That qualification alone marked an important moment. At CSI2* level, a 1.40m two-phase class asks many questions. The horse must stay careful and forward, but not become flat. The rider needs to keep the round efficient while still respecting the height, width, and related distances.

In the Grand Prix, Leroy and L-Ratallion My Z again showed their quality. They produced a clear round over the fences and picked up only 3 time faults, finishing 8th in a competitive class over a very technical course.

For experienced show jumping followers, that detail says a great deal. A clear jumping round in a technical Grand Prix is never accidental. It reflects rideability, scope, and good decision-making. Time faults can be costly, but in this context, the clear jumping performance remains a major positive.

Technical courses often test more than fence height. They ask whether a horse can shorten and lengthen without losing balance. They ask whether a rider can keep the canter organised after combinations, related distances, and rollback turns. They also test focus late in the track, when fatigue and pressure start to show.

Leroy and L-Ratallion My Z answered those questions with a composed round and a top 10 finish.

A clear round over the fences in a Grand Prix setting is one of the clearest signs that a partnership is ready for the next level of sport.

Their week was a strong example of progression. A clear round in the qualifier set the tone. A clear jumping effort in the Grand Prix confirmed it.

Oscar van den Berghe showed strength across CSI2* and young horse sport

Oscar van den Berghe had a productive week across both the CSI2 and CSIYH1 divisions, with results from several horses. His performances showed range, from competitive 1.30m and 1.40m CSI2* rounds to a top young horse result.

In the CSI 1.35m Two Phases Special presented by Henders & Hazel, van den Berghe earned a top 20 finish with Tintin Vd Bisschop. In a two-phase format, staying competitive while keeping a horse confident is a useful marker of consistency, especially in a field where small margins decide placings.

He then delivered a strong finish in the CSI 1.30m Two Phases Special presented by EW Promotion, placing 4th with Brexit. A top five placing at an international show reflects both pace and accuracy. It also shows that the combination had the confidence to take opportunities in the second phase without losing the quality of the jump.

Van den Berghe also secured a top 15 finish with Top Secret De Muze in the CSI 1.40m Two Phases presented by Four Equestrian. The 1.40m level often separates combinations that are simply capable from those that can stay competitive. A top 15 finish in that class added another solid result to his week.

His young horse result was one of the highlights. In the CSIYH 6 YO 1.30m Table A presented by Veldeman, van den Berghe finished 2nd with Emericella Dw Z.

Young horse classes require a specific approach. Riders must compete, but they also need to protect the horse’s education. The best rounds find the balance. They are forward enough to be competitive, yet organised enough to help the horse learn. A second-place result in a 6-year-old 1.30m class shows that Emericella Dw Z handled the questions well and gained valuable experience from the week.

Rider	Horse	Class	Result
Oscar van den Berghe	Tintin Vd Bisschop	CSI2* 1.35m Two Phases Special presented by Henders & Hazel	Top 20
Oscar van den Berghe	Brexit	CSI2* 1.30m Two Phases Special presented by EW Promotion	4th
Oscar van den Berghe	Top Secret De Muze	CSI2* 1.40m Two Phases presented by Four Equestrian	Top 15
Oscar van den Berghe	Emericella Dw Z	CSIYH 6 YO 1.30m Table A presented by Veldeman	2nd

Van den Berghe ended the show ranked 11th on the CSI best rider list, out of a competitive field of 101 riders. That ranking reflects not only one strong result, but a week of consistent performances across several horses and classes.

The results reflected preparation, consistency, and good ringcraft

Successful international weeks rarely happen by chance. Riders and horses need the right preparation before arrival, but they also need the ability to adapt once the show begins.

At a venue like Stephex Brussels Masters, every detail counts:

• The warm-up must suit the horse and the class format.

• The rider must understand where the course allows efficiency.

• The horse must stay fresh enough to perform across multiple days.

• The team must make clear decisions about which classes support each partnership best.

  
  

The week’s results showed that those pieces came together.

Boelaert’s CSI1 campaign highlighted consistency across three horses. Leroy’s CSI2 results showed quality under pressure, especially in Grand Prix sport. Van den Berghe’s week showed range, with competitive results in CSI2* and a strong young horse placing.

For Thibault Vermeulen and the Belgium-based Team Chestnut Farms programme, these performances matter because they show development across levels. A coaching system should help riders build skills in the smaller divisions, step up in the higher divisions, and produce young horses with care. This week included all three.

The rider rankings added further weight to the results. Boelaert’s 4th place on the CSI best rider list and van den Berghe’s 11th place on the CSI2 best rider list* showed that the team’s success extended beyond individual rounds.

A strong week to build on

Stephex Brussels Masters remains one of the shows that riders aim for, not only because of the setting, but because of the quality of sport. Results earned there carry meaning. The courses ask enough questions to give riders honest feedback, and good placings reflect genuine competitive form.

For Team Chestnut Farms, the week brought a long list of positives:

• Multiple podium finishes in CSI1*

• Top 12 results at 1.20m

• Grand Prix qualification and an 8th place finish in CSI2*

• Clear jumping over a technical Grand Prix track

• A second-place result in the CSIYH 6-year-old division

• Strong rider rankings in both CSI1 and CSI2

  
  

These are the kinds of results that build momentum. They also give riders and coaches clear information for the next phase of training and competition.

Congratulations to Maxime Boelaert, Kiara Leroy, Oscar van den Berghe, their horses, and all of the clients coached by Thibault Vermeulen on a stellar week at Stephex Brussels Masters. For a Belgium-based team competing at one of its favourite shows, it was a week filled with promising rounds, earned results, and plenty to carry forward.