Team Ireland were the 2024 winners of the BoekeloFEI Eventing Nations Cup
BOEKELO – With five participants ranked in the world’s top ten, Great Britain appears the most likely to produce the winner of the 54th edition of Military Boekelo. They are part of a contingent of 81 riders competing with a total of 96 horses from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 October during this equestrian classic on historic Dutch soil.
Laura Collett was the last to secure a British victory in Boekelo in 2019. Last year, she finished second behind Germany’s Julia Krajewski. Currently number six in the world rankings, she recently claimed the European title at Blenheim, England, and will be joined by Tom McEwen, who took bronze there. McEwen is ranked just ahead of Collett on the world list. Also appearing are Tom Jackson (8) and Samantha Lissington (9). Other key names in the British delegation include reigning world champion Yasmin Ingham, Zara Tindall – daughter of Princess Anne and her former husband Mark Phillips – and regular competitor Isabelle “Izzy” Taylor.
Tim Price with Global Quest. Photo ©Ashley Claus
In addition to Collett, the field also includes several former winners of Military Boekelo. Tim Price of New Zealand triumphed in 2017 and 2022 and currently ranks third in the world. From France, Thomas Carlile will try to repeat his 2014 success.
Eight contenders for the national title
As usual the Dutch will compete for the national title. They will determine who succeeds Janneke Boonzaaijer, who captured the championship for the third time last year but is absent this time. Splinter Bergsma, Tijn de Blaauw, Nina de Haas, Gert Jan Heinen, Nina Hut, Aliene Ruyter, Sterre van Houte, and Jordy Wilken are the candidates to follow in her footsteps.
Bergsma, De Blaauw, Ruyter, and Van Houte are making their Boekelo debuts. Wilken was runner-up in the 2019 national championship behind Merel Blom. Along with Nina Hut and Sterre van Houte, he represents the three riders from the region.
FEI Eventing Nations Cup
The battle for victory in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup will once again be decided in Boekelo. Germany holds the strongest position to finish the series as winners. Only France, forty points behind, can still prevent this. The British are already assured of third place. Besides the top three, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand will also compete with national teams.
Military Boekelo-Enschede begins with dressage on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 October. The following day features the “high mass” – the cross-country that attracts tens of thousands of spectators – before the final show jumping on Sunday 12 October decides the rankings.
Eventing Fund Netherlands
A brainstorming session among sport stakeholders three years ago in Boekelo laid the foundation for the Eventing Fund Netherlands, launched this year in Maarsbergen. Guided by a solid policy plan, the fund aims to raise and manage funds to support talented youth riders, young riders, juniors, and seniors, as well as to promote and support eventing in the Netherlands in general. This approach is designed to help Dutch combinations consistently compete internationally, including in Boekelo.
The CCI Boekelo Foundation is one of the main investors in the fund, together with the founders of Military Boekelo and service club Ronde Tafel 18 from Enschede. Over the next two years, the focus will be on national coach Marcelle de Kam’s youth development plan, recently presented in Maarsbergen. Among the participants were Overijssel talents Sophie Weening and Senna van Houte, who both achieved fine victories.
Foundation chairman Robert Zandstra describes the initiative as an important platform for the growth of the eventing community, which can be seen as a mix of sponsorship and crowdfunding.
Equestrian Sector Fund
Earlier this year, the Equestrian Sector Fund, established by the Dutch Horse Council, was also launched. The fund is intended for the entire equestrian sector, allowing everyone to contribute in their own way. It focuses its spending on three pillars: campaigning, research, and strengthening advocacy. Its main goal is to ensure people can continue to enjoy horses.
The fund raises resources for the #ditdoenpaarden campaign, which will finance broader research into horse welfare and strengthen lobbying efforts. The fund will also make its debut appearance at Military Boekelo.
Various experts in eventing will provide tours and explanations during this year’s edition. Among them is Jan Greve, board member of Military Boekelo and long-time veterinarian with TeamNL at major championships such as the European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games.
Military chairman Robert Zandstra emphasizes: “Boekelo is all about the horse – nothing is more important. The special bond between humans and horses, built on respect, trust, and cooperation, is invaluable. It can never be explained enough. As organizers, we are happy to contribute to that.”
For the latest news, up-to-date information on participants, and ticket sales, see www.military-boekelo.nl
