Belgium Reigns Supreme with Perfect Performance at Home in Lier

Lier, Belgium – May 08, 2026 – Belgium came out on top at the Longines EEF Series Region West Qualifier on home turf in Lier after they were the only team to finish on a score of zero. Great Britain was the quickest of the four faulters to take second while Czech Republic rounded out the podium in third.
 
“We deliberately came here with a highly competitive team to maximise our points,” said chef d’équipe Filip Lacus.
 
The home team were impressive all day with three of their quartet – Koen Vereecke (BEL) riding Quinoa De La Liniere, Frederic Vernaet (BEL) on Orak D’Hamwyck T&L and Gilles Thomas (BEL) with Riesling Van T Roosakker – posting double clears. Fourth team member Jeroen Appelen (BEL) aboard King CJS, who is owned by L&M Sporthorses, only marred their scorecard with four faults in the second round.

“We knew beforehand that we had a strong team, and it’s fantastic to deliver on that here in the Stephex Arena in front of our home fans,” said Frederic.
 
At the halfway stage four teams – Germany, Belgium, Great Britain and Czech Republic – shared the lead on a score of zero with Italy and France close behind on four faults.
 
All four of the leading teams remained in the hunt to finish the two-round competition on a clean sheet until their final riders but of them it was only Gilles, an individual bronze medallist at last summer’s European Championships, and T Roosakker Stables’ nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion who managed to secure a clear round.

“Riesling is a horse for the future. Competitions like these in the Longines EEF Series are crucial for the development of both horse and rider toward the highest level,” said Gilles.
 
Jodie Hall McAteer (GBR) led the British charge, recording a double clear on La Gupardie, Mandy Hall’s 10-year-old KWPN mare. She was joined in the British team by the brother and sister pair of Sienna and Harry Charles (GBR) riding Stardust and Fighting Phil respectively, and Emily Ward (GBR) with Wild Star HF.
 
Harry was the final rider for Great Britain but the Olympic gold medallist couldn’t coax a clear round out of the stunning nine-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood, a light tap on the final element of the treble costing them four faults.
 
Czech Republic also finished the competition on four faults just over a second behind Great Britain. It marked a first podium finish for the Czechs since they were runners-up to Italy at the 2021 finals.
 
Oliver Pisarik (CZE) piloted Elixir De Hus to the only double clear for the Czech team but solid performances from Sara Vingralkova on the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood Rock’N Roll MXl and Emma Sophia Spanko (CZE) with the 13-year-old Selle Francais stallion Duo Du Ru will fill the Czechs with confidence heading into the rest of the season.
 
Germany finished the competition in fourth place on eight faults despite having two team members – Paula de Boer-Schwarz (My Miss Marpel OLD) and Tom Schewe (Congress Blue PS) – who posted double clears.
 
In fifth position were three-time Longines EEF Series champions Italy. Giampiero Garofalo (ITA) and Querido Van’t Ruytershof were the stars of the team and the only Italian pair to finish on zero.
 
There were also double clears for Alvaro Gonzalez de Zarate Fernandez (ESP) on Casa Diva PS to help Spain to sixth place, Edward Levy (FRA) riding Griss De Kerglenn for France, who occupied seventh, Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) aboard Karonia.L for Portugal, ninth, and Sweden’s Adam Carey (SWE) with Quebello D (11^th).
 
Netherlands have yet to find their feet in the series this year, adding eighth place to the seventh position they clocked up last weekend at the Longines EEF Series Central Group qualifier in Mannheim.

For the latest updates, team announcements, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the 2026 Longines EEF Series, follow the Longines EEF Series website and the European Equestrian Federation. Join the conversation on the Longines EEF Series social media on Instagram and Facebook.

Final Results – Longines EEF Series Nations Cup of Lier CSIO 3*

1) Belgium – 0 / 0 = 0 / 206.76

2) Great Britain – 0 / 4 = 4 / 206.22

3) Czech Republic – 0 / 4 = 4 / 207.35

Source: Press Release by Emily Bevan for the EEF – European Equestrian Federation

Photos: © EEF

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