Olivier Philippaerts Records His First Wellington Win

It was the 24-year-old Belgian rider Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) who triumphed over 53 fellow competitors to take the $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 in week six of the 12-week 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Aboard the 10-year-old gelding H&M Ikker — who is still owned by his breeder Roger Van Nuffelen — Philippaerts posted a blistering 37.61 seconds to take an unassailable lead. Second-placed Francisco Musa (BRA) and Catch Me Imperio Egipicio were almost two seconds adrift, with the only other clear in the jump-off coming from American rider Callan Solem (Davidson), who finished third. The course designer for CSI competition this week is Ana Catlina Harris of Mexico.

Philippaerts, who is 24 and competing at WEF for the first time, said: “I watched the first [jump-off] round, but decided to just go my own round and see where I ended up; luckily it was fast enough today. He turns very well in the jump-off, which is what makes him quite fast.”

Final Results: $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 6

1. H&M IKKER: 2008 BWP gelding by Ogano Sitte x Up To Date
   OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Roger Van Nuffelen: 0/0/37.61


2. CATCH ME IMPERIO EGIPCIO: 2008 Hanoverian mare by Contagio x Werther
   FRANCISCO JOSE MEQUITA MUSA (BRA), Daniel Aguilar Morelli: 0/0/39.28


3. DAVIDSON: 2008 KWPN gelding by Harley VDL x Chin Chin
   CALLAN SOLEM (USA), Five Star Partners: 0/0/42.62