17 January 2024

EquiGala 2024: Belgian Four-in-Hand drivers named Team of the Year 2023

During the fifth edition of the EquiGala in Brussels, the Four-in-Hand drivers Dries Degrieck, Glenn Geerts and Tom Stokmans were named Team of the Year 2023. The EquiGala is the most important festival of Belgian equestrian sports. A total of six awards were presented for achievements and contributions for a very successful 2023.

The Belgian Four-in-Hand drivers won team bronze at the European Championship in Exloo and also won the Nations Cup of CAIO Beekbergen. They are the only Belgian senior team to win a medal at a European Championship.

This performance earned them the 2023 Team of the Year award.

2024

The first team meeting for the Four-in-Hand team is now over, and the plans for 2024 have been made. The Belgians will start during the CAIO’s in Windsor, Saumur, Aachen and Beekbergen, and then peak at the World Championships in Szilvasvarad, Hungary.

The team, led by Mark Wentein, has found additional support and cooperation from Paardensport.Vlaanderen and Sport.Vlaanderen. As a result, this non-Olympic sport will also deserve full attention in the Olympic year.

Edouard Simonet

In addition, Edouard Simonet rejoins the Belgian team. He has won individual and team medals in the past and is currently living in Spain. In 2024 he will start with a new team of Dutch Harness horses in Lähden (GER) and Saumur (FRA). In addition to the three regulars in the team, the young Sam Gees is also working towards a permanent place in the team with his new Arabo-Friesians.

The contribution of team veterinarian Jeroen Declercq, who has been assisting the team for years, and the contribution of assistant chef d’équipe Filip Kindt, should of course not go unnoticed in this team performance.

Source: KBRSF Commissie Mennen / Galop.be

The Belgian team during the award ceremony of the European Championship in Exloo 2023
Photo: Krisztina Horváth