Bruynseels edges thriller in stallion showcase before Guerdat delivers masterclass in BMW Masters

Saturday night at Jumping Mechelen delivered a double dose of world-class sport as Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels claimed hometown glory in the Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World before Swiss Olympic champion Steve Guerdat produced a devastating display to dominate the BMW Masters.

The twin victories capped a day dedicated to breeding and elite competition, with the Nekkerhal crowd treated to edge-of-the-seat drama in the stallion spectacular, followed by a jump-off masterclass from one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Bruynseels delivers at home

In the evening’s opening act, Bruynseels gave the Belgian faithful exactly what they wanted – a home victory in the prestigious €28,200 Sires of the World, a competition reserved exclusively for stallions aged eight and older. The competition started with a line up 28 stallions, but it was the 41-year-old Brunseels who guided Chacco’s Lando OL to victory in a finish so tight it came down to fractions of a second. As the final rider in the jump-off of eight horses, Bruynseels knew precisely what he needed to beat, and delivered under maximum pressure.

Portugal’s Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida had set a formidable target earlier in the performance aboard Comme Le Coeur, the nine-year-old KWPN stallion by Comme il Faut and Heartbreaker. The pair produced a clean, aggressive round that stopped the clock at 39.37 seconds, and for much of the jump-off, it appeared that time would hold.

But Bruynseels, drawing on his experience and intimate knowledge of the Nekkerhal arena, found the extra gear needed. Aboard the twelve-year-old son of Chacco Blue and Lando (bred by Paul Schockemöhle), he threaded through the shortened course with precision and pace, edging Almeida by the slimmest of margins to claim victory in front of the home crowd.

The win added another highlight to an already exceptional 2025 for Chacco’s Lando OL, a stallion who has compiled an impressive international record and continues to prove his quality at the highest level.

Comme Le Coeur, bred by Herman Seiger and approved for breeding in Germany, had to settle for a hard-earned second place despite an outstanding performance from both horse and rider.

Bronze went to Hungary thanks to Vince Jarmy and the 14-year-old stallion JB Koronaor, who is a son of Keve and Corleone. The pair also stayed clear in the jump off, crossing the finish line in 41.69 seconds.

Guerdat in a class of his own

The format of the BMW Masters adds an extra dimension of difficulty. Rather than a standard two-round competition, fences are progressively raised across multiple rounds, testing both horse and rider’s ability to adapt and maintain form as the jumps grow more imposing. Ten combinations lined up for the class, which sees the number of contenders steadily decrease as the rounds progressed.

And, if the Sires of the World provided nail-biting drama, the BMW Masters that followed showcased pure dominance.

Steve Guerdat, the 2012 London Olympic individual gold medalist, put on a jump-off clinic aboard Lancelotta that left the rest of the field trailing in his wake. After six combinations (Steve Guerdat (SUI), Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Gilles Thomas (BEL), Willem Greve (NED), Daniel Deusser (GER) and Jos Verlooy (BEL)) advanced to the fourth deciding round, the 42-year-old Swiss maestro delivered a round that was simply untouchable.

Riding the 11-year-old mare by Lancer III with trademark precision, Guerdat navigated the shortened course in a blistering 35.89 seconds. More impressively, he did so without so much as rattling a pole – a complete performance that combined speed and accuracy.

The winning margin told its own story. Guerdat finished nearly four full seconds ahead of his closest challenger – a gulf at this level of competition.

That challenger was Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts, who could take satisfaction from a strong second-place finish aboard Cornethagos PS. The combination clocked 39.77 seconds without fault, a time that would win many jump-offs but was simply no match for Guerdat’s brilliance on the night.

“She really fought for me, and I enjoyed every moment,” Guerdat said afterwards, crediting his mare’s exceptional performance.

The podium was completed by the Netherlands’ Willem Greve and Grandorado TN N.O.P., though they carried a single fault in their 38.89-second effort – still not fast enough to trouble Guerdat even with a clean sheet.

Belgian contingent shows strength

While Guerdat claimed top honours, the BMW Masters jump-off featured strong Belgian representation, delighting the partisan crowd.

Gilles Thomas, Mechelen’s poster rider and the 2025 LGCT Champion, advanced to the final six aboard Qiara de Kalvarie. Though he couldn’t quite match Guerdat’s pace, his presence in the jump-off underscored his consistency at the highest level.

Jos Verlooy also made the decisive round riding Marocy, a Selle Français gelding by Diamant de Semilly, giving Belgium three representatives among the final six combinations.

Breeding in the spotlight

Saturday’s programme placed breeding firmly in the spotlight, befitting Jumping Mechelen’s tradition as a showcase for both sport and future bloodlines.

The Sires of the World has become one of the most prestigious stallion competitions on the calendar, drawing elite breeding stock from across Europe. The competition provides a valuable platform for stallion owners and breeders to showcase their horses’ quality in high-pressure sport.

Earlier in the day, the Nekkerhal hosted the final of the free jumping competition for two-year-olds, along with young stallion classes for six and seven-year-olds. The Auction Mechelen also presented its New Year Collection – a selection of promising young horses aged three to six.

These breeding-focused events draw serious attention from studbook representatives, breeders, and buyers looking for the next generation of top-level sport horses.

Looking ahead

With two nights of competition complete, Jumping Mechelen shifts into its final push through the weekend.

Sunday’s programme features the KBC Bank & Verzekering at 1.50m, another major 5-star class that will draw the world’s best. The FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix also takes place Sunday evening, with Belgium’s Justin Verboomen – the world number one – headlining the entry.

Monday brings the week’s climax: the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle, followed by the highlight everyone has been waiting for, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup presented by BMW on Monday afternoon.

That World Cup Qualifier will see Gilles Thomas, Thibeau Spits, and Belgium’s other top riders battle for crucial points on the road to the Fort Worth final, with the Nekkerhal crowd certain to create an electric atmosphere.

For now, though, Saturday belonged to Bruynseels and Guerdat – one a local hero delivering for the home fans, the other an Olympic legend reminding everyone why he remains among the sport’s elite.

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Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World Results:

1. Niels Bruynseels (BEL) – Chacco’s Lando OL
2. Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) – Comme Le Coeur (39.37 seconds)
3. Vince Jarmy (HUN) – JB Koronaor

BMW Masters Results:

1. Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Lancelotta (0 faults, 35.89 seconds)
2. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) – Cornethagos PS (0 faults, 39.77 seconds)
3. Willem Greve (NED) – Grandorado TN N.O.P. (1 fault, 38.89 seconds)

Prize money:

Sires of the World €28,200 | BMW Masters €50,000

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Jumping Mechelen continues through December 30 with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier scheduled for Monday afternoon.