In an official press conference on 5th May 1999 the Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation explained its idea of creating a "Belgian Barn". The concept of a "Belgian Barn" is not new, Germany and Holland have developed similar agreements between the owners of FEI horses and the country's equestrian federation.
After the disappointing performances of the Belgian riders at the World Equestrian Games in Rome, the Federation reopened the case. The time was right because the gold medal in Rome for show jumping was won by a Belgian bred horse that carried a German rider.
The "Belgian Barn" consists of the purchase of young quality sport horses, a training agreement with Belgium's top riders and medical assistance by the renown vet Leo De Backer. The Federation plays the role of the rightful owner of those horses and under these circumstances the selling of FEI horses will be prevented.
That is of course the main reason why the "Belgian Barn" will be founded. Trudo King Darco, City Banking, Major, Joly Coeur and many more excellent show jumpers departed from Belgium to compete under foreign riders. Our own riders had to start from scratch, training and showing green horses. Money was always the issue but with the "Belgian Barn" the federation hopes to prevent the excessive trade in Belgian FEI horses.
The funding for the purchase of 4 year old horses is extracted from the extra 300 Bef registration costs which need to be paid when your horse is registered with the KBRSF. 5% of all show jumping prize money (which was normally granted to breeders) will be subtracted and put into the fund. The breeders reward of 1998 and 1997, not yet deposited by the federation, will also be inserted in the fund. The first youngsters the KBRSF hopes to purchase are eventing horses. This is done with the aim for the 2000 Olympic Games. The next phase will be the acquisition of some show jumpers in corporation with Eugene Mathy Sr. and Leo de Backer. Dressage was not an issue on this press conference.
After the explanation of the Belgian Barn, the 1998 Belgian medal winners (mainly young riders) were honoured and each chairman of the six disciplines the KBRSF represents talked about their 1999 goals. Ingmar De Vos spoke for dressage chairwoman Ann Van Neste- D'Ieteren. The dressage commission hopes to assemble a dressage team for the European Championships in Arnhem.
Possible members for the team are Arlette Holsters, Evelyn van Beuningen, Ann Van Neste -D'Ieteren and Stefan van Ingelgem. The last three riders still had to ride their required 62% score at a three star CDI in order to qualify for the team. At the moment of the conference they were competing at the CDI *** Villanova d'Asti in Italy. Scores coming soon.
