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Gregory WATHELET

Gregory WATHELET, Belgian Jumping athlete.
Name Gregory WATHELET
FEI ID 10001505
Gender Male
Date of Birth 10/09/1980
Competing for Belgium - BEL
Registration Jumping 2025
Last update 29/07/2024
FEI Database





Jumping 70x70
General Interest
Nicknames Greg (studforlife.com, 21 Sep 2005)
Memorable sporting achievement Winning the 2017 Grand Prix of Aachen in Germany. (fei.org, 14 Sep 2021)
Most influential person in career His parents. (equnews.com, 28 Nov 2018)
Hero / Idol British jumper John Whitaker. (worldofshowjumping.com, 07 Oct 2021)
Injuries In March 2013 he injured his wrist in a fall at an event in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. (grandprix-replay.com, 14 Mar 2013)
Sporting philosophy / motto "Good horsemanship is much more than just good riding. You can be a good rider, but still know nothing about your horse and how to manage it. I am self-made, which means I had to learn - and to learn you have to do. Personally, I learned a lot by trying and failing on my own, looking to what others are doing, and testing it myself. Many think that equestrian sports are just for the rich, and that it is impossible to succeed without having the financial resources. But anything is possible - even when you start at zero." (worldofshowjumping.com, 07 Oct 2021)
Awards and honours He was flag bearer for Belgium at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (lesoir.be, 08 Aug 2021; Instagram profile, 08 Aug 2021) Along with Pieter Devos, Jos Verlooy, Jerome Guery, and Olivier Philippaerts, he received the 2019 Team of the Year award at the 2020 Equigala in Brussels, Belgium. (hln.be, 21 Jan 2020; sporza.be, 23 Aug 2019)
Other information STABLES He runs his own stables in Clavier, Belgium, where he coaches riders and trains and trades horses for jumping. "My father was a farmer. I took over his land in 2016 to settle there." (gregorywathelet.com, 07 May 2023; lecho.be, 12 Jun 2022) TO UKRAINE AND BACK In 2005 he switched from representing Belgium and began competing for Ukraine as he was riding horses owned by Ukrainian equestrian Oleksandr Onyshchenko. He represented his new nation at the 2006 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Aachen, Germany, before switching back to represent Belgium once again in 2007. "I initially refused [to switch nationality], but when you find yourself with nothing, to the point of having to return and live with your parents, you will have second thoughts. In the end, it was a great choice because it allowed me to reach the world's top 10." (lecho.be, 12 Jun 2022; SportsDeskOnline, 25 Nov 2019; gregorywathelet.com, 01 Jan 2017; maville.com, 31 Jan 2010)
Milestones He was part of the team that won Belgium's first gold medal in equestrian jumping at the European championships, following their victory in the team event at the 2019 edition in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Nov 2020; sporza.be, 23 Aug 2019)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport? He began riding ponies at age eight. At age 10 his parents bought him a horse and he competed at his first regional show at age 16.
Why this sport? He liked his first experience of riding but originally did not want to become a professional because it was too expensive. He tried to combine school and riding but found it too difficult, so at age 19 he decided to commit to riding for one year. He has been involved in the sport ever since.
Club / Team Ecurie Gregory Wathelet: Clavier, BEL
Training Regime "Personally, in my day-to-day management, I like to have the horses outside as much as possible. As long as the weather allows it, my horses go in the field every day, and we try to exercise them as much as possible outside - we have a big racetrack, sand arena, and grass ring where we can train, which give the horses variation. You feel it during the winter months, when you are more stuck inside than usual. The horses get a bit unmotivated, but the moment you go out, they are fresh and full of energy."
Further Personal Information
Family Wife Pauline Delaunay, son Theo [2021]
Residence Clavier, BEL
Occupation Athlete, Breeder, Business Owner, Coach, Horse Trainer
Languages English, French