Nations Cup victory and an individual win for Dries Degrieck: in Kladruby, Belgium delivered a masterclass from start to finish. Behind this perfect weekend stands a confident team and a clear-headed staff, led by Marc Wentein, steadily building toward the World Championships.
“We dominated from the start”
Some weekends just click. This was one of them.
« Not only this weekend, but the one before as well », pose d’entrée Marc Wentein, le chef d’équipe de l’attelage belge à 4 chevaux.
« We were second in the World Cup in the Netherlands, and now we win the Nations Cup here, with an individual victory for Dries as well. So yes, it’s a great success for the Belgian team. »
At Kladruby, in the stunning setting of the Czech National Stud, the script was crystal clear.
Dressage remporté par Dries Degrieck, marathon géré (2e), maniabilité solide (3e). À l’arrivée, près de huit points d’avance.
« From the start, we dominated. Dries wins the dressage, stays consistent throughout, and takes the win with a comfortable margin. »
A team that delivers
Behind the individual win stands a solid unit.
With Glenn Geerts and Tom Stokmans, Belgium also secured the Nations Cup.
« These are the same drivers who performed very well at last year’s European Championship in Lähden. » Wentein recalls.
“But we haven’t stood still. Dries is working with an entirely new group of horses. Glenn has two new ones, Tom has one as well. So clearly, we are testing things with the World Championships in mind.”
A winning team… that keeps evolving.
A momentum that keeps building
The Czech success is part of a much bigger picture.
Take Dries Degrieck. Full of confidence, he comes off a World Cup-winning indoor season and keeps the momentum going outdoors.
“From my perspective, it started even before the final,” explains Wentein.
“We shouldn’t forget Dries won Mechelen, Leipzig, then the World Cup Final in Bordeaux.”
« After that, he won the first outdoor competition in Exloo, finished second in Kronenberg… and now this. It’s an incredible run. »
But beyond the results, it’s the way he’s doing it that stands out.
« He now has almost ten horses available. Even here in Kladruby, he tried combinations that had never worked together before. And still, the result is there. »
A full-scale test before the Worlds
Kladruby wasn’t just a target.
It was also a testing ground.
« We are clearly in a preparation phase for the World Championship in Aachen this summer. », confirms Wentein.
« We are testing, adjusting, building. »
So far, all lights are green.
“We’re heading in the right direction”
Now comes the challenge: turning momentum into medals.
“You shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch,” Wentein smiles.
“But we are heading in the right direction. Two podium finishes in the first two Nations Cups, a clear plan… everything is in place.”
Next stop: Windsor.
Familiar ground.
« Last year, we won the Nations Cup there. So it’s not by chance, this is something structured, planned, organized. »
Opponent identified… and already beaten
On the international stage, a few names still loom.
Dont Chester Weber.
« He’s a very strong driver, especially in dressage. » Wentein admits.
« But we’ve already beaten him. So we know we can be ahead. »
Measured words. No arrogance, just confidence.
Moving forward, without getting carried away
Belgium wins. Belgium tests. Belgium builds.
And above all, Belgium stays grounded.
« There’s always room for improvement. » Wentein concludes.
At this pace, the real question might not be whether Belgium can reach the World Championship podium… but how high they can climb.
Find the full Nations Cup results from Kladruby here
(Photos & video © Hippo Revue)