An Olympic team bronze medal, an Aachen Grand Prix title, a former FEI Show‑Jumping world No. 4 ranking, plus years of rich experience competing at top‑tier events, together define Gregory Wathelet’s professional profile. In October 2026, the Belgian star will make another appearance at the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), joining the international rider lineup for the 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters.

Over the past year, he has maintained a steady, high‑quality competition schedule. Aboard Bond Jamesbond de Hay, he consistently placed among the leading ranks in 5‑star Grand Prix, Nations Cup and Longines Nations League events. He has also broadened his competitive options with different horses including Double Jeu d’Honvault and Argentina de la Marchette. Rather than isolated standout single‑round results, consistent performances across multiple horses and competition formats best illustrate the competitiveness of an experienced rider.

Gregory Wathelet

Gregory Wathelet | Major‑event Legacy Built on Long‑Term Consistency 

Born on 10 September 1980, Wathelet competes for Belgium. He took individual silver at the 2015 European Championships, claimed victory at the CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival, reached a career‑high FEI world ranking of No. 4, and has numerous 5‑star competition wins to his name. In 2019 he secured team gold at the European Championships with Team Belgium, and earned show‑jumping team bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Years competing in championships, Nations Cups and 5‑star Grand Prix contests have shaped his calm, precise riding style, in which he adapts his tactics to suit each individual horse.

This expertise goes well beyond his list of championship titles. Wathelet has long managed multiple horses concurrently, assigning them to classes and formats matching each horse’s condition. His results over the past year are a direct continuation of this approach.

Photo source: Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters Official

2025 Season | Multiple Horses, Each Delivering Their Best 
In 2025, alongside Bond Jamesbond de Hay, other mounts including Double Jeu d’Honvault and Argentina de la Marchette took on competition duties across different events. In October, Wathelet rode Double Jeu d’Honvault to win the 5‑star 150cm Queen’s Cup in Barcelona. Towards the end of the year, the same pairing competed again and finished seventh in the 5‑star Show‑Jumping World Cup Grand Prix in Mechelen. With several horses consistently placing well at separate events, Wathelet’s season performance does not rely on a single horse‑rider combination.

Photo source: Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters Official

2026 Season | Continuing Wins, Progressing with Multiple Horses 
Into 2026, Wathelet kept running his season with several horses in parallel. On 30 January, riding Argentina de la Marchette, he won the jump‑off in the 5‑star 150cm class held in Thermal, USA, with a time of 35.98 seconds. At the 5‑star event in La Baule in June, he partnered with the nine‑year‑old mare Romance van de Padenborre to claim the 145cm speed class, marking the pair’s first 5‑star victory. At the end of August in Brussels, aboard Herald d’Emeraude, he finished sixth in the 3‑star 150cm Grand Prix. Rotating multiple horses at high‑level events gives him plenty of room to adjust his lineup throughout the 2026 season.

Photo source: Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters Official

Back to the Bird’s Nest | Bringing Experience into the Next Round 

Returning to Beijing, Wathelet brings not only the judgement forged through years of major competitions, but also sharp competitive form built from his continuous partnership work with multiple horses over the past year. Once the competition begins, his ability to quickly find the optimal rhythm based on the arena, course and equine partner may matter more than any title or label.

The 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters will be held at the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) from 15 to 18 October 2026. As the stopwatch restarts, the Belgian star will look to translate his experience into every turn, every stride and every decision before each fence. The answer rests on the arena.

We look forward to Wathelet’s performance at the Bird’s Nest this October.

The 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters 

Dates: 15‑18 October 2026 

Venue: National Stadium (Bird's Nest), Beijing

Meet the world’s top riders and join us for this equestrian gathering!