The world’s best pony riders are jumping alongside the stars in Belgium this week
Have you ever dreamed of competing at the same show as Olympic champions and world-famous riders? That’s exactly what’s happening RIGHT NOW at Jumping Mechelen in Belgium!
What’s the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy?
The FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy is like the World Cup for pony riders – it’s one of the biggest competitions you can enter if you ride ponies. Only the top 20 pony riders in Europe get invited to the Final, and this year it’s happening at Mechelen from December 26-30.
Jumping HUGE!
These brave riders and their talented ponies are tackling courses up to 1.35 metres high – that’s taller than most adults! The jumps are built by the same course designer who creates the tracks for the five-star riders competing in the big arena.
Imagine jumping around a course in front of thousands of cheering fans in a massive indoor stadium with Christmas decorations everywhere. How exciting would that be?!
How do you qualify?
To get to the Final in Mechelen, pony riders have to compete at special qualifying events throughout the year. This year, the qualifiers were held in:
- 🇩🇰 Herning, Denmark (October)
- 🇫🇷 Lyon, France (October/November)
- 🇩🇪 Stuttgart, Germany (November)
- 🇦🇹 Salzburg, Austria (December)
At each show, riders earn points based on how well they jump. The riders with the most points get the golden ticket to Mechelen!
Meet some amazing riders
Lieselot Kooremans from the Netherlands is currently leading the standings! The 13-year-old (who just turned 14) won the qualifying round at Stuttgart and is riding a super-experienced 20-year-old gelding called Elando van de Roshoeve.
Zara-Jane Kelly from Northern Ireland is also competing with her brilliant pony Romabout (nicknamed Harry). They won THREE Ballinroe Pony Premiers this year and finished fifth at the qualifier in Herning. How cool is that?
Riders from all over Europe – Ireland, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and more – are all competing for the title!
Why this competition is so special
What makes the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy so amazing is that young riders get to:
✨ Compete in the same arena as their heroes – previous Olympic champions like Steve Guerdat and world-famous riders like Daniel Deusser are jumping at the same show!
✨ Experience a HUGE crowd – thousands of people fill the stadium to watch, creating an electric atmosphere
✨ Ride on the biggest stages – these aren’t small local shows; these are major international events with TV cameras and live streaming
✨ Learn from the best – watching the top riders compete and being around world-class horses and athletes is the best education you could ask for
From ponies to the top
Some riders who competed in the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy when they were younger have gone on to become senior international stars! It’s the perfect training ground for the next generation of showjumping champions.
Could this be you one day?
If you’re working hard with your pony right now, who knows? Maybe in a few years, YOU could be jumping under the lights at Mechelen, with thousands of people cheering you on!
The FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy Final takes place on Monday, December 30 at 12:00 noon. You can watch it live online on FEI TV so why not tune in and see these incredible young riders in action?
REMEMBER TO DREAM BIG 🌟
Remember: every rider competing at Mechelen this week started exactly where you are now – learning to jump, practising with their pony, and working towards their goals. Keep riding, keep learning, and keep dreaming big!
