Wolvertem, Brussels, Belgium – August 29, 2025 – At the Brussels Stephex Masters CSIO 5*, CSI 3* & CSI 2*, Belgium secured a strong second place in the €200,000 Henders & Hazel Nations Cup CSIO 5*, presented by STX Finance, just like last year. France proved untouchable with a total of only 4 penalty-points, Belgium followed with 9, and Switzerland, last year’s winners, completed the podium with 12.

For France, a new generation of young stars rose to the occasion. Nina Mallevaey (FRA) aboard Dynastie de Beaufour, the first who isjust 25 years old, is already French Champion and leads the U25 world ranking. Alongside her, 24-year-old Jeanne Sadran (FRA), aboard Dexter de Kerglenn, former employer and close friend of Mallevaey, showed her class. Antoine Ermann (FRA) on Floyd des Pres, also 24, grew up in his family’s breeding stables and only competed in his second CSIO 5* Nations Cup here in Brussels. Ermann and Mallevaey both delivered double clear rounds, while Sadran only dropped a rail in the second round.

Adding to the team’s backbone was nearly 60-year-old Roger Yves Bost (FRA), the experienced anchor with Delph de Denat HDC. Out of all competitors, only five riders managed to jump double clear, and France delivered two of them.

A Win Thanks to the European Championship

That such a young team could win the Henders & Hazel Nations Cup, presented by STX Finance, so convincingly was
explained by Chef d’Equipe Edouard Couperie as a result of their talent and their recent European Championship experience:

“That was a valuable learning curve for the three youngsters. We finished seventh there and they took a lot from it. The proof was on show here at the Brussels Stephex Masters. The horses have the quality, the riders the talent – and now also the experience. In the Belgian Nations Cup, they were rewarded for it.”

At the press conference, Nina Mallevaey made a point of thanking organizer Stephan Conter: “My two clear rounds were for France and for Stephan, to whom I am forever grateful. At a time when I was looking for work, he gave me opportunities through his connections. Thanks to him, I am now competing at five- star level.”

Belgium Climbs from seventh to Second Place

The Belgian jumping team, crowned European champions just last month, came into their home Nations Cup as the clear favorites. But their start was dramatic: first rider Pieter Devos (BEL) and Casual DV Z were eliminated after two refusals in the triple combination. Gilles Thomas (BEL) on Ermitage Kalone and Thibeau Spits (BEL) with Impress-K Van’t Kattenheye Z, both kept a clean sheet, while final rider Gregory Wathelet (BEL) aboard Bond Jamesbond de Hay, only had one rail down at the plank after the water. Still, Belgium found themselves in seventh place after the first round. In the second round, Devos decided not to start again, putting the welfare of his horse first. Thomas had one down at the oxer, while Spits and Wathelet delivered flawless clear rounds. Their strong comeback lifted Belgium all the way to second place, though still at a safe distance behind France.

Final Results – €200,000 Henders & Hazel Nations Cup CSIO 5*, presented by STX Finance

1) France – 0 / 4 = 4

2) Belgium – 5 / 4 = 9

3) Switzerland – 0 / 12 = 12

Source: Press Release (edited) from the Brussels Stephex Masters

Photos: © Brussels Stephex Masters / Stef Cande / Bertille Fonteneau

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