Just a few more weeks to go before it’s that time again: Jumping Indoor Maastricht is about to begin! The event that both equestrian sports enthusiasts and party lovers look forward to every year. On Thursday evening, JIM kicks off with a bang — the Limburg Night, where riders of all levels will compete against each other.
Frank Kemperman, JIM’s show director, organizes the evening’s program together with Yvonne van Bergen and the KNHS Limburg branch. “The Limburg Night is for all riders, their fans, and the audience. Top riders, dressage, show jumping, and riding school competitors from the province will go head-to-head. The event will be hosted by Renée van Bommel, supported by renowned coach Rob Ehrens.”
Three Teams, One Mission
On Thursday evening, three teams of dressage and show jumping riders will compete in various challenges, earning points for their team ranking. The audience experiences the action up close — and sometimes even helps decide the outcome! The teams, in the colors of the Limburg flag, are led by a well-known (and of course Limburg-born) dressage team captain:
- Team Yellow: Sanne and Mel Thijssen, led by team captain Remy Bastings
- Team White: Lars and Niels Kersten, led by team captain Jenny Schreven
- Team Blue: Leopold and Mathijs van Asten, led by team captain Jeanette Haazen
Top Show Jumpers in the Ring
During Limburg Night, eighteen other jumping combinations will take to the ring, competing in timed rounds at 1.10m, 1.20m, and 1.30m height categories. These combinations have been selected through the Limburg Championships and additional indoor competitions in the region. They will be divided among the three teams and coached by the show jumpers. Afterwards, the Thijssen, Kersten, and Van Asten families will face off in a relay course.
Dressage from the Region
The best dressage riders from the Limburg Championships will compete in the L2, M1, and M2 classes. Three combinations per class have been selected, each performing under the guidance of their team captain. The audience will also have a say in the results — they’ll get to show their support for their favorite.
The Manege Challenge
In the popular Manege Challenge, the spectators once again play an important role: it’s up to them to decide which show deserves the most points. Will Paardencentrum Heihof take the crown again, or will Manege Cadier en Keer or Stal aan ’t Kanaal claim victory this year?
A Musical Finale
Even more dressage magic follows in a sparkling dressage show featuring Remy Bastings together with chanson singer John Tana. To wrap up the evening in style, the audience, riders, and coaches will test their knowledge in the Music Challenge. That’s when we’ll finally find out whether Team White, Team Yellow, or Team Blue takes home the win.
Kemperman: “The Limburg Night is a festive kick-off to the weekend for the whole family. Of course, on Thursday evening there’ll already be plenty of opportunities to shop, eat, and drink. After all, fun and Limburg go hand in hand — especially at Jumping Indoor Maastricht!”
