Jeroen van Lent Appointed Belgian Team Manager, Succeeding Sjef Janssen

Dressage

Belgium

The Belgian Equestrian Federation (KBRSF) has announced on its website that Jeroen van Lent will taking over the position of Team Manager from Sjef Janssen.

Van Lent already served as chef d'equipe for the Belgian Grand Prix team since the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington and will now also take up the role of Team Manager.

Relying on Experience

"Jeroen Van Lent, who can rely on year long experience as Chef d'Equipe, will be the new Team Manager," a very short press release stated. "Jeroen's job will mostly consist of following and selected the different senior dressage combinations."

Belgian Grand Prix rider Laurence Roos has secured an individual starting place for Belgium at the 2020 Olympic Games. The rider who will end up going to Tokyo will be decided by the KBRSF and BOIC on recommendation of the dressage committee.

Jeroen van Lent (°1968) was born into a horsey family and became a show jumping rider. He is married to Belgian Grand Prix dressage rider Sophie Baetens-van Lent and together they run their own equestrian stable. Jeroen often travels to competitions with his wife and two sons, Belgian show jumping young rider Maverick van Lent and football goal guard Mowgli van Lent.

Jeroen was also chair of the KBRSF Dressage Committee until his resignation in 2014.

Working Towards the Future

Jeroen van Lent and Sjef Janssen at the 2014 CDI Kapellen

Van Lent worked alongside Sjef Janssen since 2013. The KBRSF ended Janssen's contract prematurely in September 2019 after disappointing results at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam, where one Belgian horse was sent unlevel into the arena and another starting resisting in the canter tour.

"I won't be a coach, but I want to work with those involved on the state of dressage, now, as well as towards the future 2024 and 2028," Van Lent told Eurodressage. "Firstly I will listen to the concerns of our Grand Prix riders and what their expectations and needs are. Based on that I will probably set up some working groups together with the Top Sport Cel to realize those matters. I think communication and motiviation will be the red line."

Van Lent wants to take it one step at a time and build a future for Belgian Grand Prix

Van Lent with 3 of 4 Belgian team riders (Cool,
Missiaen, Verliefden, missing is Roos) for the 2019 European
Dressage Championships

"It is not relevant yet today what will follow on the long term, like clinics and external experts," Van Lent continued. "First let us start the 2020 season and see what is going on and what potential there is in the tank. However, I do believe that we can improve on a structural level and planning. I sense a lot of goodwill from the riders, but also specific needs and requirements and I want to help manage and fulfil those. The atmosphere has been very good for years but we want to improve in results. That's what we are going for."