Belgium is moving forward as a group. And it’s moving fast. In 2026, Mathieu Guéry and Anthony Philippaerts join A Young Riders Academy, a benchmark program designed to guide young riders toward the very highest level. Two profiles, two stories, but the same turning point: the moment when promise gives way to reality.
Two Belgians, one continuity
It’s no longer a surprise. Almost a habit.
After Leon Brutsaertand Evelyne Putters last year, Belgium once again places two riders in the program. A consistent presence that confirms one thing: the next generation is here—dense, structured… and above all ready to step up.
In a strong and international 2026 class, Guéry and Philippaerts are not here to learn how to exist. They are here to accelerate.
Guéry, perfect timing
Mathieu Guéry didn’t apply on a whim. He waited. Observed. Calculated.
« I’ve been looking into this academy for several years now and I find it very interesting. My father always told me that you should apply when you feel it’s the right year, when you have the right group of horses. Because beyond all the training camps and gatherings the academy offers, there is also, and above all, the competition aspect. They have connections with many top shows. So they can help you get invitations directly from the shows rather than through the federation. And since we know that in Belgium we have a federation with a huge number of riders, being able to receive an invitation directly from a show is very interesting. »
Clear headed. Structured.
And above all consistent with what he shows in the ring: European Young Riders team champion in 2025, third individually, steady results and another strong appearance at the Grand Palais during the Talents Hermès last weekend.
In short, the timing isn’t just good. It’s perfect.
Philippaerts, seizing the opportunity
In the Philippaerts family, the Academy is part of the landscape. But Anthony doesn’t rely on it. He uses it.
« Yes, of course it’s something special. I think it’s a huge opportunity for a young rider like me, and they only select a few riders each year. So we try to get in, and I’m really very happy to have this opportunity. I will do my best to learn as much as possible this year. »
« Actually, it was the first time I applied to the academy, because it’s also my last year in this category. We had to go through two days of selection, which wasn’t easy. But in the end, I’m very happy they chose me. »
Last shot in the Young Riders category. And clearly, the right one.
Une sélection qui ne pardonne rien
Getting into the Young Riders Academy isn’t about sending a file and waiting.
It’s about passing through a tight filter. A very tight one.
« About sixty people applied. Then they selected twenty-six, who were asked to come to Peelbergen for two days,” says Mathieu Guéry.
“We had young horses with which we had to perform a more dressage-type test, then a young horse course, and two rounds with a more experienced horse. », says Mathieu Guéry. « We had young horses with which we had to perform a more dressage-type test, then a young horse course, and two rounds with a more experienced horse. »
« Our sport is quite logical and straightforward. When a rail falls, it’s four faults. But here, having judges makes it more subjective. We’re not used to that. »
Same observation from Philippaerts:
« They don’t just look at how you ride, but also at your personality. »
A strong… and international 2026 class
The 2026 selection confirms the trend: a mix of highly competitive European profiles.
Among them:
Elisa Chimirri (ITA)
Rose De Balanda (FRA)
Mathieu Guéry (BEL)
Nick Nanning (NED)
Anthony Philippaerts (BEL)
Lou Puch (SUI)
Bryan Smits (SUI)
Emma Sophia Spanko (CZE)
Leah Stack (IRL)
Sören Suppert (GER)
Thijmen Vos (NED)
An expanded intake, proof of the program’s growing appeal.
An academy designed as a sporting project
Behind this selection lies a real idea.
Led by Eleonora Moroni Ottaviani, coordinator of the program overseen by Valentina Ottaviani and supported by Rolex, theIJRC and the European Equestrian Federation .
« More than fifteen years ago, we realized that there was no complete, 100% training for riders—for the talents of the future. So we thought about offering an educational program: veterinary regulations, horse welfare. Welfare is a word widely used today, but we also need to do something concrete. When riders understand veterinary issues, they better understand what horse welfare really means. »
Ici, on ne forme pas seulement des cavaliers. On façonne des profils.
« Notre intention, depuis la création de l’académie en 2014, est de transmettre aux jeunes, même s’ils ne deviennent pas champions olympiques, une mentalité : le respect du cheval, le respect du sport, et la capacité de transmettre ces valeurs dans leur centre équestre, dans leur fédération. Mais aussi leur ouvrir l’esprit parfois sur d’autres chose. Comme l’art par exemple (Qui tient à coeur de Valentina Ottaviani. NDLR). Ce n’est pas l’essentiel du programme bien entendu, mais des petites choses comme ça en font partie aussi. C’est important. »
Learning to exist within the system
Because top-level sport is not only decided in the saddle.
« It’s important to train complete athletes who, in the future, can take part in meetings, be the voice of riders with their federation and the FEI. People capable of discussing with the technicians of the International Equestrian Federation. Not politics, technical matters. »
Understanding the rules. Influencing them. Adapting to them.
« Young riders must learn their rights with regard to organizers, but also their duties toward their federation and competitions, etc. It’s not simple. »
(Mathieu Guéry awarded with his European Young Riders champion team at the Equi Gala 2026.)
Very few casting mistakes
While performance is not the only criterion, the program has rarely been wrong in its choices.
« The Czech rider Vaclav Stanek, who won twice in Calgary.
He came from a background where his parents knew nothing about horses. And today, he is building a career, with strong principles that he also passes on to his students.
There are also riders who don’t become champions but who transmit this philosophy in their riding schools. That is very important.
C’est pour cela que nous choisissons parfois des profils qui ne sont pas tous au niveau de Joe Stockdale or Richard Vogel, but who can bring a lot to our sport.
For example, this year we selected Rose de Balanda. Her family has been in the sport for a hundred years and likely will be for the next hundred.
She gave an extraordinary interview. Her vision of the sport, the horse, and respect for the horse really impressed us. We also had, in the past, a French rider, Basile Rubio, who didn’t even have a horse at the time. Today, he is an instructor. It’s important that, at their core, they have a strong philosophy and can pass it on.
These are profiles our sport needs. Today, we are very satisfied to see that some riders who went through the Riders Academy have reached the highest level. Of course, it’s not only thanks to us—we are just a small part of the journey. Last year, in the European Championship final, four riders out of twelve came from the Riders Academy. Our sport is not only about business. Yet right now, for some, it sometimes is only about business. »
A complete “package”
That is exactly what Anthony Philippaerts is looking for.
« I think the academy offers a complete package for each rider. They truly develop horsemen. They don’t just help you with riding, but also with everything around it: management, relationships with sponsors. In reality, they provide all the information needed to try to succeed in the sport. »
A story… and an identity
In the Philippaerts family, the history is heavy. But it doesn’t weigh him down.
« Yes, my three brothers all went through it. When I told them I had the opportunity to take part in the selection days, they immediately told me to go all in. »
The best advice is often the simplest.
« Thibault told me to be myself. That’s the most important thing. They don’t just look at how you ride, but also at your personality. »
The horse at the center
Amid all this, one obvious truth that some forget.
« Comme Piero d’Inzeo m’a dit un jour : il faut remettre le cheval comme sujet de notre sport, pas comme objet », rappelle Eleonora Moroni Ottaviani. « Today, it is often considered an object. We must become aware again that it is the subject. »
A shared turning point
No need to overcomplicate it.
« I think it’s a turning point. ,” says Mathieu. « From next year on, I’ll be in the deep end. »
Same logic for Anthony: last year as a Young Rider, last step before the leap.
