Jan Meersmans retired as Belgian Pony Team Chef d'Equipe

International judge Jan Meersmans retired from his position as chef d'equipe of the Belgian Pony Team. With several of his best pony riders moving to the junior riders class, Meersmans feels that it is time for him to move on as well. As an international judge Meersmans prefers to judge until he has reached the FEI allowed age limit. 

Meersmans, who owns and manages a clinker company, has been chef d'equipe for many years producing various successes that range from two individual gold medals (Judith Godefroid - 1993 and Delphine Meiresonne - 1998) and two team silver medals (Hasselt 1993 and Achselschwang 1995). On Saturday 13th November all present and former pony riders that competed under Meersmans' chef d'equipe-hood organized a party in his honour at restaurant De Kroon in Massenhoven. In a great atmosphere, Jan Meersmans was thanked for his years of devotion to the Belgian pony team. Praised with many speeches for his organizer's qualities, Meersmans could not be but moved by this festivity. Former Pony Team riders such as Nathalie Burssens, Veronique de Baecker and Dorothy and Lawrence Raemdonck were present at this event. 

In the future Meersmans will continue his career as FEI judge. Meanwhile, the Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation is in search for a new Chef d'Equipe. Several names have already been mentioned, but an official statement by the KBRSF has not yet been made. More to come on this topic when the news has been officially released.

Pictured: archive photo of Jan Meersmans with team member Veronique Wuydts and Emmaly at the 1995 European Championships in Achselschwang, Germany