WEF Challenge met twice in a row by Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts
Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts added another WEF Challenge Cup win to his tally aboard Katanga V/H Dingeshof in the first FEI 5* week of the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] taking the lead ahead of Britain’s Ben Maher aboard Enjeu de Grisien and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam with Gilona AO.
It was the second WEF Challenge Cup win in a row for Nicola, who won on the grass in WEF week four with Derby de Riverland. The consensus is that competition is as tough as it has ever been and Nicola has noticed the trend.
“There are more and more Europeans coming here over the last few years,” Nicola said. “To be here for the winter is very nice and it’s also nice for us to see different people and a different environment. It’s always nice to get the best parts of both; half the year in Europe and half the year in America. I think it’s fantastic and it’s a great time to be here.”
Nicola and Katanga were last to go in the jump off, featuring 11 horse rider combinations – out of a starting field of 51 – who had mastered Paris Olympics’ course designer Gregory Bodo’s challenging but fair track in the first round.
Israel’s Ashlee Bond set the bar high going first and jumping clear in 36.22 with Donatello 141. Shane shaved her time down to 36.14, Ben then his, down to 35.62 before Nicola closed the show in a time of 35.48 seconds.
“I saw Ben’s round and I was like, he’s always super quick. I just thought I’m gonna give it a go. And everything worked out well. The turns worked out very well and she was with me all the time,” Nicola said of the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “Sometimes she can get a little fresh and a little quick but she really stayed with me and she gave the best of herself.”
Saturday Night Lights $385,000 FEi 5* Grand Prix at Wellington International this weekend, will see Nicola and Zatanga take center stage once again as the mare appears to be on form. “She feels great, to be honest,” said Nicola. “I really don’t show her that much. She looks like she’s still in very good shape, so hopefully it gives us a lot of motivation for this year.”
This could be interesting: