It was the Belgian bred mare Mystic van 'T Hoogeinde (Echo van 'T Spieveld x Darco) that claimed the gold medal at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for 6-year-old horses. 

Bred by Rony Thys, Mystic van 'T Hoogeinde comes from a family of performers with her father being the Grand Prix-stallion Echo van 'T Spieveld and her mother the Grand Prix-mare Geena Van 't Roosakker. 

With sixteen horses moving on to the jump-off in this final set at 1.35m, it was bound to be a fast affair. Against the clock, Jeroen de Winter (BEL) piloted Mystic van 'T Hoogeinde to a time of 33.01 seconds to step to the top of the podium. Donald Whitaker (GBR) followed in 33.95 seconds to bring the DSP-mare Chilli (Colestus x Colorit) to silver – last year she won the gold in the 5-year-old final with Pippa Goddard in the saddle. Chilli is bred by Erich Schoch. 

Bronze went to Thiago Ribas da Costa (BRA) and the Belgian bred Mano Negra van de Bucxtale (Mylord Carthago x Concorde), a gelding that is bred by BVBA Feniram, after the pair stopped the clock at 35.17 seconds.

For winning rider Jeroen de Winter, this victory was a bit of a surprise. ”I submitted my applications to the Belgian Federation three months ago, mainly with the goal to compete in the 7-year olds horses class. But a few weeks ago we finished sixth at the Belgian Championship and when I looked at Equibel, I saw that I was also selected with Mystic for this World Championship."

"It was not really my plan, so I briefly consulted with my coach Dirk Demeersman. He said that I had to try it for sure and here I am!" Jeroen de Winter said.

Mystic van 't Hoogeinde joined Jeroen’s stable as a four-year-old and is still half-owned by breeder Rony Thys.