Belgium’s rising star Thibeau Spits is set to make his debut at the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, one of the most prestigious and historic events on The Rolex Series calendar. For the young Belgian rider, competing in Rome represents a special milestone in his career.
“For me, it’s very special,” Spits explained. “The CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena has always been very high on my wish list. Over the last few years, I always tried to get in but never managed yet. This year, it fitted perfectly into the schedule and my horse is in very good shape, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Widely regarded as one of the sport’s most iconic venues, the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena celebrates its 100th edition in 2026. The Rolex Grand Prix, taking place on Sunday at 12:30 PM, will once again bring together many of the world’s leading riders in the heart of Rome’s Villa Borghese.
"This will be my first time at the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena,” Spits said. “I’ve also never been to the city of Rome, so it will be a week full of new things and new places to discover. I think it’s one of the best shows in the world and I’ve heard so many positive comments about it.”

The Belgian rider also highlighted the unique atmosphere and tradition that make the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena such a standout event on the international calendar.
“I think it’s one of the most iconic shows on the calendar,” he said. “It’s a show that I love to watch every year. It’s always very special to go to these traditional events.”

Spits admitted he does not yet know exactly what to expect from his first appearance in Rome, but the excitement is already building ahead of the event.
“I don’t really know what to expect yet,” he said. “I’ve just heard so many positive things about the show, so I’m very curious to go there.”

The young Belgian also underlined the importance of the Rolex Grand Prix and the level of sport expected throughout the week.
I think these competitions, together with the Rolex Grand Slam and the Rolex Series events, represent the pinnacle of show jumping." Spits explained. “They have some of the biggest tracks in the world and, of course, this year the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena will also be an important preparation for many riders ahead of the World Championships in Aachen. I think we will definitely see many combinations using this event as part of their preparation, so it will be a very interesting weekend with a very strong field of riders and horses.”

While fully aware of the challenge ahead, Spits is ambitious about competing at one of the sport’s most legendary events.
“Of course, we all want to win these competitions,” he said. “Every Grand Prix 5* is special, but if you can look back on your career and say that you have won the Rolex Grand Prix at the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, I think that is something truly exceptional. These are the most traditional events in our sport. Winning there would be amazing.”

Spits is expected to compete in the Nations Cup and Rolex Grand Prix aboard Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z, a horse currently enjoying excellent form.
“Normally, Impress-K will do both the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix there,” he explained. “He is in amazing shape at the moment, with already a second and third place in ’s-Hertogenbosch and Geneva earlier this year.”

Belgium will head to the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena with one of the strongest and youngest teams in the field, something that gives Spits even more confidence ahead of the week.
“Belgium is going with a very strong and young team,” he said. “Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z has already proved himself, Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone have won multiple Grands Prix 5*, and Emilie Conter and her horses are also in great form after finishing second in Hamburg. It’s a team with a lot of quality and confidence at the moment.”

For Spits, that collective strength only adds to the motivation ahead of one of the sport’s biggest events.
“It’s even more motivating knowing that the chances for good results are very high,” he concluded. “My ambitions are to perform well with the team, which I think we can definitely do, and then hopefully also achieve a strong result in the Grand Prix.”

Looking ahead to his first experience at the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, the young Belgian is especially excited to discover the unique atmosphere that has made the event legendary in the sport.
“As I said, I don’t really know what to expect yet,” he smiled. “But I’m really looking forward to the crowd and to the venue in general, because it looks amazing in the pictures and definitely the food as well.”