Jordy Van Massenhove and Verdiamo Z: Building Toward the World Cup Finals in Fort Worth

For Jordy Van Massenhove, qualification for the FEI Jumping World Cup Finals was not defined by a single breakthrough moment, but by a steady progression shaped over months of competition. It is only now, as he prepares to arrive in Fort Worth, that the achievement is beginning to settle in.

“It only really started to feel real after I got enough points, which was after Helsinki,” he explains. “I think it will really sink in when I arrive in Texas.”

That gradual realization reflects the nature of his season. Rather than chasing standout results, Van Massenhove focused on building consistency with his long-time partner, Verdiamo Z. Early performances in Verona and Mechelen confirmed that they were on the right track. “After those rounds, I realized it was possible,” he says. “Then I just kept going.”

As the season progressed, that belief was tested. The indoor leg demands precision, and small margins quickly turn into costly results. In Amsterdam, the challenge came from his horse’s condition. “The horse wasn’t feeling at his best and it was not going as planned,” he says. Without the usual sharpness, the round required adjustment rather than ambition.

The following weeks brought a different kind of pressure. In Gothenburg, the equation was simple, points were needed. “You feel like you need that result,” he says. “Those were the hardest.” In those situations, the mental side of the sport becomes as important as the physical execution. Van Massenhove relied on a disciplined approach. “I handled it by staying calm and going back to what worked before.”

That ability to reset proved important, particularly after a difficult moment in Amsterdam where he lost control early in the course. “I basically lost control after the second fence,” he recalls. The experience prompted a key decision to adjust part of his setup, a move that required confidence mid-season. The impact was immediate, with a strong performance in Bordeaux confirming the change. “That was a good decision,” he says.

Central to this entire campaign is Verdiamo Z, a horse Van Massenhove has developed from the very beginning. “He’s been with me since he was born,” he says. That familiarity underpins their partnership at the highest level. The horse’s natural qualities, careful, forward, and with scope, allow the rider to approach demanding tracks with confidence. “When I go into a big track, I don’t worry too much about the height,” he explains.

At the same time, the partnership requires careful management. Van Massenhove is open about the areas that still need refinement, particularly against the clock. “I’m not the fastest rider, and he’s not the easiest horse,” he says. “So sometimes it’s hard to be really competitive on time.” To support the horse across a long season, he adjusted his routine, often reducing jumping efforts to preserve energy. “Sometimes I didn’t jump the second day just to save him for the World Cups.”

This structured approach extended into his preparation for the Finals. While the foundation remained similar to a standard World Cup routine, travel became a key consideration. “I prepared quite similar to a normal World Cup,” he says. “But I took the flight into account because it takes a lot from the horses.”

Alongside this preparation, the daily training environment has played an important role. Working closely with his partner, Victoria Gulliksen, has created a setting where feedback and shared experience contribute to continuous improvement. “We often train together, so we can help each other and exchange feedback,” he says. “That helps a lot.”

As he looks ahead to Fort Worth, Van Massenhove’s expectations remain grounded. His primary objective is clear, to progress through the opening rounds and secure a place in Sunday’s final. “I would really like to do the whole thing, get into the final on Sunday,” he says. “After that, anything can happen.”

The structure of the Finals leaves little margin for error, and he is fully aware of where the focus must lie. “We need to be good on Thursday and Friday,” he says. “Then we go from there.”

As Jordy Van Massenhove and Verdiamo Z head into the arena in Fort Worth, we wish them the very best of luck.

Valentina Sozzi

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