What had become a Friday highlight in Wolvertem will not take place in 2026. The Brussels Stephex Masters has announced that its Nations Cup will be absent from next year's schedule. An exceptional decision driven by an increasingly congested international calendar and the immediate proximity of the FEI World Championships in Aachen. Behind the move lies a clear message: protecting horses comes first.

When Aachen changes everything

Sometimes, even the most established fixtures must adapt.

The Brussels Stephex Masters has confirmed that the STX Finance Nations Cup will not be held during the 2026 edition of the event. While the decision applies only to next year, it speaks volumes about the evolving realities of top-level sport.

The reason can be summed up in a single word: Aachen.

The FEI World Championships in jumping will take place in Aachen just days before Belgium's flagship international show. Such a tight schedule creates major challenges for horses, riders and national teams alike. After the demands of a World Championship campaign, expecting the sport's top combinations to immediately return for another team competition within an already packed CSI5* schedule would be difficult.

Welfare before spectacle

In a sport that is increasingly scrutinised through the lens of animal welfare, Stephex has chosen to act proactively.

« With this exceptional adjustment to the programme, we are providing greater flexibility for the world's leading riders while reducing the pressure placed on their horses ," explained Stephan Conter, CEO of the Stephex Group.

The message could not be clearer. Keeping the Nations Cup on the schedule would undoubtedly have added another prestigious class to the programme, but at the cost of asking even more from horses emerging from what is expected to be a particularly demanding World Championship.

A view shared by Zoé Hank Conter, rider and Managing Director of STX Finance: " In a World Championship year, giving riders greater flexibility and prioritising horse welfare is the right approach. »

At a time when horse welfare has become one of the equestrian industry's defining topics, the signal coming from Wolvertem is a strong one.

A reinvented Friday

The absence of a Nations Cup does not mean a quieter Friday.

Organisers are preparing a new CSI5* class to fill the vacant slot. The aim is to maintain the appeal of a day traditionally regarded as one of the week's highlights.

The new competition will be paired with the highly anticipated Stephex Exclusive Breeding Collection auction, a showcase of the operation's expertise in breeding and sport horse genetics. Promising young horses, embryos from some of the world's finest bloodlines and an international clientele are once again expected to generate plenty of excitement.

And, of course, the renowned evening entertainment that has helped build the Brussels Stephex Masters' reputation over the years will remain part of the programme.

The Rolex Grand Prix remains king

Fans of elite sport can rest assured: the identity of the show remains unchanged.

Several leading riders have already confirmed their participation in Wolvertem from 26 to 30 August 2026. The schedule will continue to feature CSI5*, CSI3* and CSI1* competition, alongside classes for young horses and young riders.

Above all, the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi will remain the undisputed centrepiece of the week. The battle for Belgium's most coveted trophy is as open as ever.

A decision that could set a precedent

The cancellation of a Nations Cup is never insignificant. Yet in an FEI calendar that continues to grow more demanding, the Brussels Stephex Masters' decision reflects a broader shift within the sport: performance can no longer be considered independently of horse welfare.

This time, prestige has taken a step back. To give the true stars of the show a chance to breathe.