Just like many other youngsters, both André and Isabelle discovered the world of horses when they were kids, taking english riding lessons at a nearby stable. Still without knowing eachother, they had very similar careers - both running their own barns for several years : one in Seneffe, the other in Meise.
Then, by the end  of the seventies, André fell in love with the Quarter Horse and decided to head for California.  
                Upon his homecoming, he participated in the creation of several breed and riding associations in Belgium - such as BAWR and BRPG, thus being one of the pioneers in Western riding and Quarter horses in the country.
                As for Isabelle, her encounter with the Quarter horse goes back to the 90's, and it was love at first sight. Around  that time they finally meet. Having created their own successfull barn, they soon realized that they had  that one dream in common : to promote the Western Riding in Belgium...
The first shows - in cooperation with the BQHA are held in Lier and Oud Heverlee, but soon their ambitions take them further...their dream is to improve the quality of the showcircuit, offering better grounds and nicer facilities to riders and public.
In 1999 they organize the one and only edition of their show in Ghlin, near Mons and from 2000 on, they decide to take the big financial risk of renting the great accomodation "De Grenslandhallen" in Hasselt.
        Their choise will soon prove to be the right one. Ever since the beginning, the now wellknown show "Belgian Open" in Hasselt has been growing in importance, becoming one of the major shows in the surrounding countries.
Some facts :
- 2000 - starting up : 156 horses present, 15 tackshops;
- 2001 - already 206 horses present, 19 shops promote their good to numerous visitors;
- 2002 : 254 horses present, 21 tackstands, over 3000 visitors.
        Meanwhile, the Belgian Open at Hasselt has become one of the major showcases for the western riding industry and a must for all those who want to discover this exciting facet of horseriding. Visitors can high quality performances in reining, pleasure, halter, trailclasses and other disciplines. For those who want to find out more about these disciplines : please click on any of the following pictures .
halterclass
reining
trailclass
western pleasure
For the 2005 edition of The Belgian Open & Quarter Horse show we are very happy to announce that Nicole Keesen, John van Den Broeck and Nick Cornelissen have joined our organising committee, which allows us to give this show an even larger dimension.
In 2005 we are moving to our new location : the Nekkerhal in Malines. This is a big exposition hall, similar to Hasselt and the entire show will be held indoors. The size of the location also permits us to enlarge both the visitor stands as the riding arenas, which, we think, will be appreciated by spectators and participants.