This past weekend, over 60.000 people visited the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses 2024 in Lanaken, Belgium, where Zangersheide hosted the 29th edition of the traditional competition.
Germany's Katrin Eckermann claimed both gold and bronze in the final for six-year-old horses, taking the win with Sascinora NRW – bred by her father Otmar Eckermann – and bronze with Iron Dames Earl of Alice, while Kendra Claricia Brinkop slotted into silver with Stephex Stables' Sniper Des Lilas Blancs.
With these images, we look back at the final day in Lanaken.
All photos © Nanna Nieminen for World of Showjumping.
Katrin Eckermann had four horses qualified for the finals and could go home with two medals.
Domein Zangersheide in Lanaken has hosted the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses for the past 29 years.
With fantastic September weather and free entrance, over 60.000 people visited the event during the weekend.
The finals were jumped over courses set at 1.30m, 1.40m and 1.45m for the five-, six- and seven-year-old horses – including an open water for the two oldest age groups.
During the weekend, the classes run in three separate arenas, while the finals are held in the main Ratina Z ring. On Sunday, the warm-ups are always surrounded with lots of curious audience.
Finding some shade...
The final for six-year-old horses was set at 1.40m.
Patiently waiting for their turn...
Champion of her heart? Niamh McEvoy and Orange de Baugy, bred by L.A. Geertzema, won the final for five-year-old horses.
Part of Greg Broderick's Ballypatrick-team.
Diego Pagano and Zuly – bred by Ilenia Baesso – took silver in the final for five-year-olds – and the champagne came out before the prize giving.
Happy Team Pagano!
Lotte Teuns and Jolidiams Des Tocrias – bred by Gilles Denizet and Michel Guiot – claimed bronze in the final for five-year-olds.
Memories for life...
Niamh McEvoy turned last year's silver to gold.
Taylor Vard supporting the Irish on the sidelines.
Hello beautiful!
Katrin Eckermann had a busy day with four horses in the finals and two in the six-year-old jump-off.
Family first... Katrin's father Otmar Eckermann is the breeder of Sascinora NRW, the winner of the six-year-old final.
The Eckermanns.
Smiles all around!
Team Stephex took silver in the six-year-old final with Sniper Des Lilas Blancs, bred by Simon-Pierre Herbiet.
The Queen of Lanaken...
FEI President and IOC Member Ingmar De Vos was present in Lanaken.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos congratules Kendra Claricia Brinkop on her silver in the six-year-old final.
Longines' Urs Schiendorfer with the German superwomen.
Traditionally, breeders are put in the spotlight at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Here Simon-Pierre Herbiet, breeder of Kendra Claricia Brinkop's 6-year-old Sniper des Lilas Blancs and the Eckermanns, breeders of Sascinora NRW.
What is this boy band called?
As last to go in the final for seven-year-old horses, Ireland's Michael Pender and HHS Mercedes – bred by Bravo Hughes Ltd – took the top honours.
BP Royalty – bred by GBBS International Ltd – and Michael Duffy claimed bronze in the final for seven-year-olds...
...and were pretty happy about it!
Belgium's Mathieu Bourdeaud'Hui and Remco van den Uilenbos – bred by Raymond De Loose – had to settle for second after Pender snatched the win as last out in the final for seven-year-olds that concluded the weekend.
I crown you... World Champion!
It takes a village!
Then