World Cup winner holds off home favourite in 18-rider battle in Mechelen

France’s Julien Epaillard claimed Sunday evening’s KBC Bank & Verzekeringen Prize at Jumping Mechelen, but the story of the night belonged to 22-year-old Belgian Jules van Hoydonck, who thrilled the home crowd with a brilliant runner-up finish in one of the week’s most competitive classes.

In a jump-off that featured an extraordinary eighteen combinations – testament to the quality of the field and the fairness of course designer Bart Vonck’s track – Epaillard and Donatello d’Auge delivered the decisive performance.

Epaillard, the 43-year-old Frenchman, a perennial fixture at the top of the sport, guided the 12-year-old Donatello d’Auge through a flawless jump-off in 38.34 seconds to claim the €14,200 first-place prize. Donatello d’Auge, a son of Jarnac, has proven himself a reliable partner for Epaillard at the highest level.

But while Epaillard took the winner’s honors, Van Hoydonck captured the hearts of the Belgian faithful with a performance that underscored why he’s considered one of the country’s brightest young talents.

Riding Minte vd Bisschop, the 13-year-old mare by Plot Blue, originally bought for his sister at just five years old, Van Hoydonck produced a clean, attacking jump-off round that clocked 38.96 seconds, just 0.62 seconds behind Epaillard’s winning time.

For a rider still establishing himself at the 5-star level, to finish less than a second behind a World Cup champion in front of his home crowd was a significant statement.

The second-place finish adds another highlight to what has been a breakthrough 2025 for the rider from Merksplas. Earlier this year, Van Hoydonck claimed his first CSI5* Grand Prix victory, and he’s been consistently competitive in top-level competition throughout the season.

Third place went to the Netherlands’ Bas Moerings aboard Kivinia, a mare by I’m Special de Muze. The pair also delivered a double clear, posting 39.42 seconds in the jump-off to secure their place on the podium.

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Belgian depth on display

Van Hoydonck’s performance highlighted the exceptional depth of Belgian showjumping at present. Throughout the week, riders of all ages have demonstrated the strength of the country’s development system.

The 22-year-old is part of a new generation emerging behind established stars like Gilles Thomas, Pieter Devos, and Nicola Philippaerts. That generation, supported by programmes like Paardensport Vlaanderen’s talent development initiatives, has been given opportunities to compete at the highest level while still in their early twenties.

Van Hoydonck’s journey through pony classes, junior and young rider competition, and now senior international sport represents the pathway Belgian equestrian sport has established to maintain its position at the top of the global standings.

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Championship

Sunday’s competition sets the stage for Monday’s grand finale at Jumping Mechelen: the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup presented by BMW.

That 1.60m championship class will bring the week to a climax, with valuable World Cup qualifying points on the line for riders chasing places at the Fort Worth final. The Belgian contingent, led by Thomas and Thibeau Spits, will be looking to claim the home victory that has thus far eluded them this week.

Epaillard will certainly be in contention, given his form throughout 2025 and his winning performance in the KBC Prize, but he’ll face fierce competition from the likes of Steve Guerdat, who dominated Saturday’s BMW Masters, and a determined Belgian squad looking to close their home show with victory.

For Van Hoydonck, while Monday’s World Cup isn’t on his schedule, his KBC performance has firmly established him as a rider capable of challenging the sport’s elite. The Nekkerhal crowd will be hoping it’s the first of many such performances over the years to come.