Niels Bruynseels, Belgium’s highest ranked rider on the Longines Ranking, takes over the ride on Ludwig Criel’s 14-year-old stallion Utamaro d'Ecaussinnes (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel). Also Criel’s horses Furmint (Ustinov x Claudio’s Son) and Ilusionata Van ‘t Meulenhof (Lord Z x Carthago) as well as two 7-year-olds will be joining Utamaro d'Ecaussinnes, Bruynseels has confirmed to World of Showjumping. 

Recently a winner of the Longines FEI World Cup of London with Great Britain’s William Whitaker in the saddle, this successful pair is now parting ways as Whitaker will be heading for a new job at Rushy Marsh Farm after a little over two years working for Jasmin and Ludwig Criel in Belgium.

Utamaro d'Ecaussinnes has been one of the most successful horses on the international circuit for years, first with Joe Clee in the saddle and then with William Whitaker. He jumped at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and at the 2015 European Championships with Clee, and at the 2017 European Championships as well as the 2018 World Equestrian Games with Whitaker. With numerous double clear Nations Cups rounds as well as several top Grand Prix results on his record, Utamaro d'Ecaussinnes has been influential on the British team for the last six years. 

Text and photo © World of Showjumping