Niels Bruynseels (Belgium)

[Small_Change]

I was watching the Dutch Masters Rolex Grand Slam last night, and am now curious about Niels Bruynseels, if I am remembering the class correctly (watching with a 3 year old and a 3 month old means I miss some details! ). He approached a lot of the fences with his head turned to the left, almost as to look at the fences out of his right eye. Is there a story behind this? Also I am pretty sure that the commentators said that he can’t flat his mare, Gancia De Muze before a class, and instead longes her. Does anyone know more about this?

There was some really spectacular riding in that class, it was a treat to watch! It was interesting to see a number of the horses jumping without martingales, and the Portuguese horse ridden by Lucia Diniz, Fit For Fun, just looked like such a nice horse to ride. I love Marcus Ehning’s grey, Cornado, as well!

This should be a link to the CBC video - http://www.cbc.ca/sports/video/show-jumping/1194301507901

[Triana]

I don’t know about the longing part, but I do know that he can’t see with his other eye, which is why he has to turn his head to see the distances better. So that would explain it. Fit for Fun is one my favourites, she looks like a really fun ride :love-struck:

[adultammylife]

He is blind in one eye. I’ve seen him ride a couple of times and he’s a pretty amazing rider, especially considering how accurate you have to be now to ride these big courses.

[Small_Change]

That makes a lot of sense. The commentator just said it was a “quirk” of Niels’ but didn’t say anything about why. Thank you!

[ladyj79]

Yep I’ve watched him in person in the nation’s cup at Lummen a few years ago while rider pointed this out. One eye, great great rider.