In October 2026, Belgian rider Thibeau Spits will grace the arena of the National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest), joining the lineup of international competitors at the 13th Longines Beijing Masters. The 25-year-old rider, fresh from claiming team silver and individual silver at the Aachen World Championships, is on a steep upward trajectory in his career.

From double gold medals at the Young European Championships to team gold at the Senior European Championships and an individual silver at the World Championships, Thibeau has steadily cemented his place among the world’s top showjumpers. In the latest FEI rankings, he holds the No.1 spot in the U25 world standings and ranks 19th globally. This October at the Bird’s Nest, the rising Belgian talent is set to deliver a performance worth anticipating.

Thibeau Spits

Thibeau Spits | From Junior Champion to Core Member of the Senior National Team 
Born in Belgium in 2001, Thibeau Spits grew up in an equestrian family. His father Patrik Spits is also a professional showjumping rider. In his teenage years, Thibeau played football seriously. As equestrian competitions gradually took over his life, he ultimately chose to focus on equestrian sport and embarked on his journey as a professional rider. The family background granted him early access to systematic training, yet what drives him forward continuously is the judgement, sense of rhythm and execution honed through years of competitions.

At the 2022 FEI European Young Riders Showjumping Championships, Thibeau claimed both individual and team gold medals. At the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour Riesenbeck leg, riding Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z, he won the 160CM Grand Prix title, marking his first five-star Grand Prix victory in his career. Thibeau started partnering with Impress-K when the horse was three years old and took part in its training and development all the way. From basic schooling to the world’s top competition arenas, the chemistry shared by this pair did not develop overnight; it was forged through years of joint training and contests.

Image Source: World of Showjumping

European Championship Gold | A Golden Start on Senior Debut 

In July 2025, Thibeau made his debut at the Senior European Championships. Riding Impress-K for Team Belgium, he produced clear rounds over five competition phases with only one time penalty, helping his side secure team gold and finishing 9th individually.

Moving from junior champion to senior European team gold medallist marked a major milestone in Thibeau’s career. Such consistent performance in his first senior championship demonstrated his composure and steadiness across multi-round competitions. The horse-rider chemistry built through long-term partnership was further validated on this higher-level stage.

Image Source: World of Showjumping

2026 Season | From Grand Prix to World Championships, Consistency as His Trademark 

In 2026, Thibeau and his mount Impress-K maintained an upward momentum. In March, he delivered two faultless rounds to take runner-up honours in the Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters. In April, he moved on to the Fontainebleau 160CM Grand Prix and claimed victory as the only combination with double clear rounds of the entire competition.

At the Aachen World Championships in August, Thibeau earned team silver as part of Team Belgium. Sitting 15th before the individual final, he climbed all the way to second place with two clear rounds in the final phases, adding an individual silver medal to his tally. Following the World Championships, he and Impress-K rose to the top of the FEI Showjumping Horse-Rider Combination Rankings. From Grand Prix victories and European team gold to dual silver medals at the World Championships, the 25-year-old Thibeau has evolved from a rising talent into a key contender on the world’s top showjumping circuits.

Image Source: World of Showjumping

A Rendezvous at the Bird’s Nest | Youth Is No Longer Merely a Label of Potential 

From October 15 to 18, 2026, the 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters will be held at the National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest). For Thibeau, who is in peak form, the Bird’s Nest will serve as another brand-new stage this season. We look forward to seeing this 25-year-old Belgian rider display his vigour and strength and embrace challenges on this fresh arena in Beijing this October.

The 13th Longines Beijing International Equestrian Masters 

Dates: Oct 15 – Oct 18, 2026 

Venue: National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest), Beijing

Now is the time to leap. See you at the Bird’s Nest in October!