Flanders is well-known as a region for equestrian sport and for a love of horses in general, with 3% of all families owning at least one horse. However, shelters are suffering overcrowding as a result of an increase in the abuse of horses, as well as more and more horses being taken into care for other reasons, such as legal seizures of property. The centres lack the space to accept more horses and the resources to look after the ones they have.

Members of the public are invited to adopt a horse in care at the Old Horses Lodge refuge centre in Laarne, East Flanders. The latest initiative involves equestrian stars, including dressage rider Jeroen Devroe, event rider Joris Vanspringel and show jumpers Judy-Ann Melchior and Harrie Smolders. At the close of bids, each of them will arrange with the winning bidder to give a one-hour lesson in aid of the charity.

“This is an action I’m glad to get behind,” said world champion jumper Philippe Le Jeune at the launch of the auction, which took place during the annual Flanders Horse Expo in Ghent. “I promise whoever wins an afternoon they won’t forget. Apart from the lesson, I’ll also give a demonstration with Vigo, the horse on which I became world champion.” As Flanders Today went to press, Le Jeune was a clear head in front of the rest of the field, with a bid of €100 for the hour.

“Our top riders clearly have their hearts in the right place,” Peeters said. “While they’re accustomed to riding world-class horses, they also care about horses that have done less well in life.

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