Cleared to compete — the world’s best ready for the Brussels Stephex Masters

The anticipation is over — the horses have successfully passed the veterinary inspection and are now ready to compete. A total of 887 horses have been presented and cleared, ensuring that 344 riders representing 46 different nationalities will take part in this year’s Brussels Stephex Masters, a Rolex Series event. With the final checks complete, the stage is now set for four days of top-level sport in the Belgian capital. From tomorrow onwards, the world’s best riders and horses will take to the arena in the ultimate event of the 2025 Rolex Series, building towards Sunday’s highlight: the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi.

An outstanding line-up for the final event of the 2025 Rolex Series

The Brussels Stephex Masters, the final event of the 2025 Rolex Series, will gather an extraordinary line-up of champions and rising stars, all with one goal in mind: a place in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi.

The Belgian team, recently crowned European Champions, will shine at home with Pieter Devos, Nicola Philippaerts, Gilles Thomas (individual bronze medalist), and Thibeau Spits, joined by Grégory Wathelet (Olympic team bronze, Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen winner). 

France combines youth and experience with Nina Mallevaey (World No. 1, French Champion, podium in the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome), Jeanne Sadran, Antoine Ermann, and Olympic legend Roger-Yves Bost. 

Great Britain’s challenge will be led by Scott Brash (Rolex Grand Slam champion, two-time Olympic Gold medalist), Ben Maher(World No. 2, triple Olympic champion), and Harry Charles (Olympic team gold, Paris 2024). 

Germany brings forward two heavyweights: Daniel Deusser (Rolex Testimonee, Rolex Grand Prix winner in La Baule 2025 and Aachen 2021) and Christian Ahlmann (Olympic team bronze, FEI World Cup™ Final champion). 

Also in the spotlight are Steve Guerdat (Olympic Champion, World No. 4), Henrik von Eckermann (double World Champion, Olympic gold), Cian O’Connor (Olympic bronze), Petronella Andersson, and defending champion José Maria Jr. Larocca, returning to Brussels to defend his 2024 title.

Before the glory of Sunday, riders must secure their ticket to the Grand Prix. With only 50 starting places available, qualification is fiercely contested throughout the week. It begins on Thursday with the CSIO5* Table A against the clock. On Friday, the CSIO5* Nations Cup grants 24 direct spots, while the 1m50 jump-off class adds 12 more. The final chance comes on Saturday with one last 1m50 jump-off. Automatic entries are granted to recent Olympic, World and Continental medalists and CSIO5* Grand Prix winners, but even they must show their Grand Prix horse earlier in the week.

This demanding path ensures that only the very best will line up in Brussels for the last battle of the season. On Sunday afternoon, under the designs of Grégory Bodo, the sport’s elite will fight for one of show jumping’s most prestigious titles at the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi — the spectacular conclusion to the 2025 Rolex Series.