Ermitage Kalone and Gilles Thomas: A Backstage Pass to Show Jumping’s Rising Stars

Meet the rising stars rewriting show jumping’s story.

At just 26 years old, Belgian rider Gilles Thomas has shown wisdom and composure beyond his years, qualities mirrored in his ten-year-old stallion, Ermitage Kalone. Both young in their respective journeys, Gilles and Ermitage carved their names into the hearts of show jumping fans with a breakthrough season that culminated in an unforgettable second-place finish at the 2024 LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh.

Building a Partnership Over Time

Gilles began working with Ermitage Kalone at the age of six, forming a partnership that flourished through patience and deliberate progress. As a breeding stallion, Ermitage's development demanded care and time, a challenge Gilles embraced wholeheartedly. Reflecting on their journey, Gilles remarked: "During the years I was still young, and he was still young, so we both took it a bit slower than normal. I think this was important so he could develop properly."

This careful approach paid off in 2024, Ermitage's debut year at the five-star level. The stallion became a standout on the LGCT circuit from Stage 5 in Madrid, where he placed third in his first-ever Grand Prix—a stunning debut among the world’s elite including Christian Kukuk on Checker 47, co-owned by none other than Thomas Müller Madeleine Winer-Schulze who took the win,  with Maikel van der Vleuten aboard Beauville Z NOP in second. Gilles shared: "I knew he could do a double clear, but to do that and straight onto the podium—it is fantastic."

Beyond individual accolades, Ermitage proved invaluable to Valkenswaard United in the GCL, at the very same stage of their debut 5* performances in Madrid, ultimately helping the team secure a victory with yet another double clear, alongside John Whitaker, a true legend of the sport.

The Road to the GC Playoffs 

The journey to the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh began months earlier when Gilles claimed victory in Shanghai aboard Luna van het Dennhof. That win secured his Golden Ticket to the prestigious event, giving him time to plan Ermitage’s preparation carefully.

With the Playoffs in sight, Gilles meticulously planned Ermitage’s preparation, balancing a busy summer with crucial rest. "Straight after my win in Shanghai, I was focused on the LGCT Super Grand Prix already," Gilles said. The strategy paid off as the pair entered the Riyadh arena ready to challenge the best.

The 2024 LGCT Super Grand Prix: A Night to Remember

The 2024 LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh was a showcase of world-class talent, with Gilles and Ermitage delivering two exceptional rounds to secure second place in one of the most prestigious competitions in show jumping.

"It was already an amazing achievement to just ride in this calibre class," Gilles reflected. It’s not every year you can ride the LGCT Super Grand Prix, so I thought we had to give it a go."

With a €10.5 million prize purse on offer, Gilles and Ermitage stood proudly on the podium in second place. Ultimately, Victor Bettendorf and Foxy de la Roque claimed the top spot, with Michael Duffy and Quirex in third—creating a podium of the sport’s rising stars.

The class itself was nothing short of spectacular, with Gilles describing it as: "An unforgettable spectacle—like the Super Bowl of show jumping." He went on to add, "It was already an amazing achievement to just ride in this calibre class," Gilles said after the event. "In the first round, the way Ermitage was jumping I felt I could take some risks... It’s not every year you can ride the LGCT Super Grand Prix, so I thought we had to give it a go."

Ermitage Kalone: The Horse Behind the Headlines

What sets Ermitage Kalone apart isn’t just his physical ability. Gilles frequently highlights the stallion’s incredible mentality and willingness to give his best in every situation: "Anything you ask from him he says, ‘Ok, let’s do it!’ He’s young and inexperienced, but every time he takes a new step, he takes it like he has taken it many times before."

In the stable, Ermitage carries an aura of normalcy, blending in with his peers despite his superstar status. Yet, as Gilles puts it: "He doesn’t feel precious—just a normal horse with an excellent character."

No stranger to talented equine stars, Gilles talked of how your partner could have all the scope and talent in the world, but it is the last 5% that really counts. He explained, "The last 5% of a talented horse is their head, and I think his head is just amazing."

HORSE PROFILE
ERMITAGE KALONE

Age: 10

DOB: 11/05/2014

Sex: Stallion

Sire: Catoki

Dam: Bellaventure Kalone

Relive the Magic

The partnership between Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone is a testament to patience, trust, and talent. Their journey is one of perseverance and shared growth—a combination of youth, experience, and unyielding determination.

Take a Backstage Pass with Gilles and Ermitage in Riyadh in an exclusive interview, and relive the  LGCT Super Grand Prix moments that defined their season and stopped the show jumping world in it's tracks. Witness the strategy, and spectacle that make this duo one of the most exciting partnerships in show jumping.