Belgian equestrian sport is gearing up for the sporting highlight of the year. From August 11 to 23, 2026, the international elite will gather in Aachen for the FEI World Championships in dressage, eventing, vaulting, show jumping, para-dressage, and four-in-hand driving.
Belgium will be represented in each of these six disciplines. Athletes, horses, grooms, team managers, and the entire support staff are traveling to Germany as one national delegation: the Red Musketeers.
Twenty years after Belgium made history in Aachen, a new generation returns to the iconic Soers. In 2006, Jos Lansink and Cavalor Cumano became World Show Jumping Champions, while Félix-Marie Brasseur won individual gold in four-in-hand driving. Moreover, the Belgian drivers added team silver to their achievements.
These performances continue to be a special source of inspiration today. The selected Red Musketeers head to the World Championship with respect for the past, confidence in the current generation, and the ambition to compete with the international elite in every discipline.
The first week of the championship focuses on dressage, eventing, and vaulting. Dressage will be held on August 11, 12, 14, and 15. The eventing competition runs from August 13 to 16, while the vaulting competitions also take place from August 13 to 16.
During the second week, show jumping, para-dressage, and four-in-hand driving will take place. The World Championship show jumping events are scheduled for August 19, 20, 21, and 23. Para-dressage will be held from August 19 to 23, and the four-in-hand drivers will be in action from August 20 to 23.
One Belgian Delegation
The Belgian delegation in Aachen is led by Chef de Mission Wendy Laeremans, Sports Director at the Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation, assisted by Technical Directors of Elite Sport Evi Vereecke (Paardensport Vlaanderen) and Elise Van Gysel (LEWB).
The various disciplines are led by their Chefs d’équipe: Peter Weinberg for show jumping, Kai-Steffen Meier for eventing, Jeroen Van Lent for dressage and para-dressage, Mark Wentein for four-in-hand driving, and Natalie Pannemans for vaulting.
Together with the full sporting, veterinary, medical, and logistical support, they will ensure that the Belgian delegation presents itself as one strong and recognizable team.
The Belgian World Championship selections for Eventing are as follows:
- Maarten Boon – Gravin van Cantos
- Wouter De Cleene – Ragdoll de Tamise
- Lara De Liedekerke – Kiarado d’Arville
- Karin Donckers – Leipheimer van ‘t Verahof
- Senne Vervaecke – Google van Alsingen
Non-traveling reserve
- Kris Vervaecke – Questo van Alsingen
The eventing selection consists of four team combinations, one individual combination, and one non-traveling reserve.
More news to come for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championships, so keep it locked right here on EN for the latest. EN’s coverage of these World Championships is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To view all of our coverage to date, click here.
