Bart Stokmans, New President of the Belgian Equestrian Federation

Dressage

Belgium

Bart Stokmans has taken over the gavel as president of the Belgian Equestrian Federation (KBRSF) from Stephan Detry, who led the federation for eight years.

The board of directors at the KBRSF consists of Glenn Maes and Eugene Mathy as vice-president, Gunter van Lent as secretary-general and Bruno Iérace as treasurer.

Change of Guard

In 2018 Detry took over from the late Jacky Buchmann.

"With a clear vision and an entrepreneurial approach, he (Detry) gave the federation a fresh impetus, with the aim of ensuring it kept even more closely pace with developments in the sport," read the press release the KBRSF issued.

"As he himself put it, “the federation must be on the same level as its athletes". (..) Anyone who knows Stephan knows that his greatest strength lies in bringing people together. He brought stakeholders together, opened doors in the media and politics, and ensured that equestrian sport became more visible and relevant within the wider social landscape."

Handing Over the Gavel

The official hand-over of the president's gavel was on 23 March 2026 when the third vice-president on the board, Bart Stokmans, moving into the president's seat. FEI president and former KBRSF secretary-general Ingmar de Vos was in attendance.

Ingmar de Vos (centre) attends the change of guard at KBRSF

Stokmans is the co-organiser of Jumping Kapellen and has many years of involvement in the industry. He began his career as entrepreneur in the printing business (Antwerp Printing Service).

"He also has extensive experience in board roles, including a seat on the board of directors of the National Lottery," the press release read. "Since late 2024, he has also been vice-chairman of the KBRSF, giving him a thorough understanding of the federation and its operations."

Stokmans commented, "it is an honour to take on this responsibility and to put my experience and passion to work for the equestrian federation. The KBRSF has ambitious plans, and I look forward to working with the whole team to achieve these objectives.”