Belgium’s Dirk Demeersman has announced the end of his sporting career, handing over the reins of his homebred mount Cote d’Or Z (Carambole x Diamant de Semilly) to Olivier Philippaerts.

As one of Belgium’s most successful riders, Demeersman has three Olympic Games, two World Championships and four European Championships to look back on, including a team bronze from the World Championships in in Kentucky. With the legendary Clinton, Demeersman placed second in the Grand Prix of Aachen in 2005 and fourth at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

In 2014, Demeersman was appointed as chef d’equipe of the Belgian team, a title he held for two years. In 2015, the Belgian Vlaamse Liga Paardensport (VLP) honored the Belgian showjumping team with the ‘Performance of the Year’ award after Demeersman's squad won the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, led the final standings of the Europe Division 1 of the FEI Nations Cups, and won the qualifier for the final in Barcelona. 

“We have an announcement to make… This weekend, Cote d’Or Z (Carambole x Diamant de Semilly), bred and owned by Cavallini Horses (Kelly Pieck & Dirk Demeersman), will make his debut with Olivier Philippaerts at the CSI4* Chantilly Classic,” Demeersman shared on social media. “After ten years together, Dirk has decided to hand over the reins of Cote d’Or Z to Olivier Philippaerts. Although his passion for the sport remains as strong as ever, he feels that, in the horse’s best interest, this is the right moment for Cote d’Or Z to continue his sporting career with a rider who can help him reach his full international potential.

At the same time, our homebred horses Carrasco Z and Little Fellow Z have also joined Team Philippaerts. With this decision, Dirk officially brings his sporting career to a close. Kelly and Dirk made this decision together, with the horses’ best interests always at heart. They firmly believe this is the right time for each of them to begin a new chapter and wish Team Philippaerts every success and happiness with these exceptional horses.

We feel incredibly proud to have had these homebred horses as part of our team for so many years, and we are deeply grateful for everything we have achieved together. We will be cheering them on every step of the way as they continue their journey.”