Gregory Wathelet rocked the Nekkerhal on Saturday afternoon by taking the third podium step as the best Belgian after the World Cup. To do so, he counted on Bond Jamesbond de Hay (by Diamant de Semilly) with whom he also won the Lyon World Cup earlier this year. "If you don't aim for the Paris Games with a horse like that, you'd better stop riding," he told afterwards about his plans for 2024.
"Of course, it is no secret that all Belgians like to descend on the Nekkerhal in Mechelen at the end of the year because the audience is the best in the world," Wathelet started. "I am indeed the best Belgian but of course I wanted to give the public another Belgian victory. I did my best but today it all didn't quite work out".
Wathelet is also clear about his plans for 2024: "Six months ago, I did not expect him to be able to achieve these performances at this level already. He surprises me every time he jumps it seems like he gets better every time. Now he is getting a rest and the plan is to start him again in Den Bosch for the Dutch Masters. The rest of 2024 will be all about the Games. If you don't prepare for a possible selection with a horse like that, it's better to quit," he laughs.
