With tears in his words and a heart full of memories, showjumper Maverick Van Lent announced this weekend that his horse Forever du Givre is leaving the sport. “Forever gave me my first big wins, brought me to the highest level, and made my dreams come true,” he wrote on social media. The farewell marks the end of a remarkable partnership that lifted the Belgian rider to the top of both national and international showjumping.
A year ago, Maverick Van Lent and Forever du Givre still competed in the final of the Belgian Senior Championship. Now the horse leaves his stable, a moment Van Lent did not let pass quietly. His message carried deep gratitude: “Thank you for everything, dear Forever. You will always remain a part of me.”
Sporting highlights
The partnership between rider and horse produced impressive results in a short time. Early in 2025, they made history by winning the CSI4* Andalucía Grand Prix (1.55m) in Vejer de la Frontera. In a thrilling jump-off, they left the competition behind and proved that their bond paid off at international level.
They also made their mark at home. During the Belgian Senior Championship 2024, Van Lent and Forever took the lead after the first qualifier. That performance immediately placed them among the top echelon of Belgian showjumping.
The pair continued to compete internationally, with multiple placings up to 1.55m level. For Van Lent, Forever was the horse that allowed him to realize his dreams.
Gratitude and recognition
On Instagram, Van Lent stressed that sporting success is never just the result of horse and rider alone:
“A special thank you to everyone who contributed to her success. And above all, thank you to the entire team at Haras de Laubry for the years of care, dedication, and support for Forever.”
With these words, he put the spotlight on the team behind the scenes: the grooms, the trainers, and the owners who day after day contributed to the development of Forever du Givre.
The end of a chapter
What the future holds for Forever du Givre has not yet been announced. A new rider or a role as a broodmare could be among the possibilities. For Maverick Van Lent, however, it is undoubtedly a painful farewell—but also a moment of pride and reflection. “Forever will always be a part of me.”
With that feeling, he looks back on a partnership that brought him his first major victories and secured him a place among riders at the international top.
