Belgian young horse rider Tom Franckx and his sponsor IPS Belgium have parted ways. Franckx has relocated his horses to Stefan van Ingelgem's yard in Puurs, Belgium, and said goodbye to all IPS horses he had in training.
Franckx claimed international fame aboard the Dutch warmblood stallion Bon Bravour (by Painted Black x Chronos), when the pair finished fifth at the 2011 World Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany. They went on to become 2011 reserve Pavo Cup champion and win the 2012 KWPN Stallion Competition Finals. Bon Bravour got injured in 2012 and no longer appeared in public for no less than 15 months.
In February 2014 Bon Bravour moved to Anky van Grunsven's barn and it was the first sign of the crumbling partnership between Franckx and IPS. The Dutch mare Dolcherie, with which Franckx placed fifth at the 2013 World Young Horse Championships and won the 2013 Belgian Young Horse Championships, has also moved to Van Grunsven. Franckx' ride on Westenwind has gone to Kirsten Brouwer, the one on Arie has been allocated to Jorinde Verwimp. Franckx still rides the Dutch owned Charmingmood (by Winningmood x Contango) and Zoser (by De Niro x Cabochon).
"In good agreement with IPS and after a string of circumstances, we have decided to part ways," Franckx confirmed to Eurodressage. "I'm now with Stefan van Ingelgem, with whom I have worked for years. I know everything is tip top there."
With Franckx' departure from IPS, the Weelde (BE) based group IPS Belgium seizes to exist. Franckx' departure unfortunately hasn't been entirely smooth sailing, as the rider fractured the head of his fibula in a riding accident on Wednesday 23 April 2014.
"My horse spooked during training and jumped to the side against the edge of a bench. It hit me so hard that I fractured my leg," Franckx explaind. "It's such a silly accident."
Franckx has been sidelined for now but will need to go back for a check-up in 4 weeks. "It's such a bummer because we have the qualifiers for the World Young Horse Championships right now," Franckx added.
Franckx is trying to qualify the 5-year old Dutch bred Evento D (by Rubiquil x Goodtimes) and the 6-year old Dutch mare Dolores van de Kwikaard (by Zucchero x Royal Diamond) for Verden this year.
Photos © Astrid Appels
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