Mechelen, Belgium – December 27, 2025 – Day two of Jumping Mechelen was almost entirely devoted to breeding. The clear highlight of the day was the €28,200 Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World CSI 5*-W, presented by Zangersheide, a class that once again underlined the importance of top-level stallions in the sport.
A total of 28 riders came forward with stallions aged eight and older. Eight combinations made it through to the jump-off, including three Belgian riders. The standard was exceptionally high, and the tension in the arena matched it every step of the way.
For a long time, it looked as though the win would head to Portugal. Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) delivered a stunning jump-off with the Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) stallion Comme le Coeur (Comme Il Faut x Heartbreaker). Known for his meticulous preparation and sharp eye for a course, Giesteira Almeida went all in. Riding with confidence, speed and precision, he stopped the clock with a clear round that sent the Mechelen crowd to its feet. Whistles and cheers filled the Nekkerhal. It felt like a performance that would be impossible to beat.
Niels Bruynseels seemed to think so too. He later admitted that, at that moment, he did not believe a faster time was still possible. But Mechelen would not be Mechelen without a final twist.
With Chacco’s Lando OL, Bruynseels set off on his jump-off round. Calm, controlled and without unnecessary risks, he built his ride step by step. Everything came together, right up to the final line. There, the Belgian crowd favourite pushed just a little bit further. With a brilliant finishing sprint, he managed to shave a fraction of a second off Giesteira Almeida’s time, just enough to secure victory on home soil.
The result was a win for Niels Bruynseels (BEL) and Chacco’s Lando OL (Chacco-Blue x Lando) in an edition of the Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World that will be remembered for a long time. A finale that perfectly captured what this prestigious class is all about: elite breeding, world-class riders and suspense until the very last stride.
After his victory in Mechelen, a clearly pleased Niels Bruynseels shared histhoughts:
“I’m very happy,” he said. “It was actually a bit of a surprise. I had seen Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida’s jump-off and I honestly thought it would be very difficult to beat that time.”
Still, Bruynseels decided to go all in.
“We’re in Mechelen,” he explained. “And in Mechelen, you have to go for the win. That’s what I tried to do. I had my plan, everything was well prepared, and right until the very last moment I decided to take just a little bit more risk.”
Bruynseels also spoke highly of his stallion
Chacco’s Lando OL. “He’s still quite new for me. I’ve only been riding him for a few months. He’s a very good horse, and I’m extremely grateful to the owners for giving me the opportunity to ride him. I’m happy to have him in my stable, and I truly believe he’s a horse for the future.” Looking ahead to 2026, Bruynseels kept his goals simple and realistic. “My main goal is stride.
Final Results – €28,200 Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World CSI 5*-W, presented by Zangersheide
1) Niels Bruynseels (BEL) & Chacco’s Lando OL – 0 / 0 – 39.34
2) Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) & Comme Le Coeur – 0 / 0 – 39.37
3) Vince Jarny (HUN) & JB Koronaor – 0 / 0 – 41.69
Source: Press Release from Jumping Mechelen
Photo: © Jumping Mechelen
