During the Belgian Indoor Championship as part of Jumping Mechelen 2024, Gilles Thomas made his debut with the 9-year-old gelding Chuck Marienshof Z, a horse that earlier this year was handed over to the double Belgian Champion.
Chuck Marienshof Z, bred and owned by Stal Marienshof, was named 'EEF Horse of the Year' in 2024 due to his impressive performances in the Longines EEF Series. Under Kersten, he achieved multiple victories, including clear rounds in Mannheim and Peelbergen, and contributed to the Dutch victory in the semifinal in Budapest.
Following the sale of Funky Fred Marienshof Z and the end of the collaboration between Kersten and Stal Marienshof, Chuck Marienshof Z was entrusted to Gilles Thomas. The pair debuted in early December during the two-star competition in Lier.
Gilles Thomas had the chance to become the first Belgian ever to win both the Belgian outdoor and indoor championships, but two jumping faults and a time penalty kept the pair out of the jump-off.
Another new duo at the start was Jérôme Guery with Killer Queen. The 12-year-old daughter of Diablo Blanco x Toulon, from Gestüt Lewitz stables, was purchased as an 8-year-old by Artemis Farms and brought to international prominence by Rodrigo Pessoa. After three years, at the end of 2023, Jens Vandenberk briefly took over the reins, passing them on to Izac Ketteridge after a few months. The Brit managed Killer Queen for about eight months.
Guery debuted in the Championship with his new asset, delivering a clear round in the first phase. In the jump-off, a small mistake at the first obstacle set them back, but the duo recovered to deliver a strong round, finishing in twelfth place.
Chuck Marienshof Z, bred and owned by Stal Marienshof, was named 'EEF Horse of the Year' in 2024 due to his impressive performances in the Longines EEF Series. Under Kersten, he achieved multiple victories, including clear rounds in Mannheim and Peelbergen, and contributed to the Dutch victory in the semifinal in Budapest.
Following the sale of Funky Fred Marienshof Z and the end of the collaboration between Kersten and Stal Marienshof, Chuck Marienshof Z was entrusted to Gilles Thomas. The pair debuted in early December during the two-star competition in Lier.
Gilles Thomas had the chance to become the first Belgian ever to win both the Belgian outdoor and indoor championships, but two jumping faults and a time penalty kept the pair out of the jump-off.
Another new duo at the start was Jérôme Guery with Killer Queen. The 12-year-old daughter of Diablo Blanco x Toulon, from Gestüt Lewitz stables, was purchased as an 8-year-old by Artemis Farms and brought to international prominence by Rodrigo Pessoa. After three years, at the end of 2023, Jens Vandenberk briefly took over the reins, passing them on to Izac Ketteridge after a few months. The Brit managed Killer Queen for about eight months.
Guery debuted in the Championship with his new asset, delivering a clear round in the first phase. In the jump-off, a small mistake at the first obstacle set them back, but the duo recovered to deliver a strong round, finishing in twelfth place.