Daianira van de Helle and Vasco van het Gestelhof have won the Belgian Selection trial in Brussels, on Wednesday June 16, 2004, for the 2004 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses. The Championships take place in Verden, Germany on July 9-11, 2004.

Belgium has been allowed to send two five year olds and two six year olds to Verden. Instead of picking the top two horses on the leader board of the Classic Circuit for FEI Young Dressage Horses, the Belgian Equestrian Federation decided to hold one selection trials this year.

Judging at the trial in Brussel were Mariette Withages, Freddy Leyman, A.M. Swenden and Jacques van Daele. Winning the 5-year old division was Daianira van de Helle under Vicky Smits. The dark bay Hanoverian mare Daianira left a huge impression at the 2003 Belgian Young Horse Championships but has not yet topped the score board in the 2004 show circuit. However, at the trial in Brussel, Daianira rose to the occassion and outclassed six other competitors by scoring the winning mark of 81.60%. If Daianira can stay calm and collected, showing her beautiful gaits without stressing out, Belgium will have a top ten placing horse in Verden. Daianira is bred by Dorith Kothe and is by Dream of Glory x Ritual. The mare is owned by Paul Mais and Edith de Reys of Stoeterij van de Helle.

Finishing second in the 5-year old division was Stefan van Ingelgem's Hanoverian gelding Wizard, a Weltmeyer x Classiker offspring. The duo scored 78.80%

Winning the 6-year old division was the BWP branded Vasco van het Gestelhof. Ridden by Wilfried Mondelaers, Vasco scored a decent 77.60%. Vasco is an experienced show horse having competed in the BWP/LRV circuit as well as in the KBRSF circuit.

Ranking second in the 6-year old class is the new combination Philippe Jorissen on St Ludwig's Leardo. The combination scored close to the winner of the class with its 75.60% mark. Leardo is owned by Gestut St Ludwig in Germany and is a Westfalian licensed breeding stallion by Lanciano x Coriolan.

Results

5-year olds

• 1. Vicky Smits - Daianira vd Helle (by Dream of Glory) - 81.60%
• 2. Stefan van Ingelgem - Wizard (by Weltmeyer) - 78.80%
• 3. Wilfried Mondelaers - Warkant vt Gestelhof (Ferro) - 78.40%
• 4. Philippe Jorissen - Sierappel (by Montecristo) - 77.80%
• 5. Stefan van Ingelgem - Royal Jubilee (by Rohdiamant) - 75.00%
• 6. Joke de Belder - Metta d'Or (by Metternich) - 70.40%
• 7. Hannelore Volders - Andiamo ()- 63.40%

6-year olds

• 1. Wilfried Mondelaers - Vasco vGestelhof (Weltmeyer) - 77.60%
• 2. Philippe Jorissen - St Ludwigs Leardo (by Lanciano) - 75.60%
• 3. Ingrid Daeleman - Rehagel (by Rubinstein) - 73.60%
• 4. Tom Heylen - Romanov LG (by Gribaldi) - 71.60%
• 5. Michel Toussaint - Rubins Figaro (Rubinstein) - 69.20%
• 6. Lucas Wens - Victoria ( ) - 65.60%
• 7. Ona Dewagenaere - Royalty ( ) - 62.20%