Karin Donckers and Leipheimer Vant Verahof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.With seven Olympic Games, eight World Championships, and 14 European Championships on her resume,Belgiums Karin Donckers has partnered with aslew of talented horses throughout her lengthy career, but this season bringsJoris De Brabanders talented stallionLeipheimer Vant Verahof into the spotlight.The name may sound awfully familiar, and it should. The 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Vigo d Arsouilles STX Southern Queen xx, by South Gale xx) is a full brother to Karins former Olympic and World Championship partner Fletcher vant Verahof. Leip is also the only stallion in Paris 64-entry field. He balances his busy competition schedule with an equally demanding breeding schedule, and so far, hes got one offspring competing at International levels, the 6-year-old Next Level Leipeimer Dutch.Fathered by 2010 Show Jumping World Champion Vigo d Arsouilles STX, Leip certainly boasts his sires athleticism over fences, while also benefiting from the blood of his dam, the Thoroughbred mare Southern Queen xx.Karin Donckers and Leipheimer Vant Verahof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.All horses have their unique quirks, and thats especially true of stallions in sport, but its no bother to Karin.You have to respect the stallions the way they are. Thats what I have learned from them, Karin said. And this lesson began early in life, as Karin rode whatever she could as a child. Its not the first time that Ive ridden a stallion. I never had the choice to choose what I got to ride. I grew up on a farm where we didnt have the money to buy nice ponies, so Ive learned throughout my life to get the best out of the horse that you have.To date, Karins best CCI4*-L finish in fact has been thanks to a stallion,Lamicell Charizard, with whom she was third at Pau in 2014.You have to respect them more and really accept how they are. If you have a good trust relationship with them, then you have to believe that they will fight for you, she said. But I find it a bit different then the mares or the geldings, the geldings are a bit more easy going. The mares are a bit more of the fighters. The stallions are a bit different.Karin Donckers and Leipheimer Vant Verahof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Karins three-time World Championship partner Fletch may now be stepping aside to let his stablemate into the limelight, but the Belgian rider always knew what Leip could be capable of, as she brought him up the ranks herself.We worked seven years with the stallion really towards this. Even at Le Lion dAngers when he was seven year old that I felt that he was my next championship horse, she said.Her Paris ride rose to the occasion today when it mattered most: delivering a personal best of 26.6 on the worlds biggest stage, a massive aid to the burgeoning Belgian team.#Paris2024:[Website] [Equestrian Schedule, Timing, Scoring] [Peacock for U.S. Viewers][How to Watch Guide] [Ticket Resale Market] [Spectator Guides] [ENs Coverage] [Form Guide] [Team Form Guide] [Dressage Companion Guide]