Beezie Madden (USA) and Coral Reef Via Volo also jumped clear and finished second in 55.68 seconds. Daniel Bluman had the fastest time of 54.15 seconds, but four faults were added to place third in 58.15 seconds. Reed Kessler (USA) and Kessler Show Stables LLC's Ligist also had one rail down, adding four seconds to their time, to place fourth in 59.24 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) and Moondoggie were clear in 59.49 seconds to earn the fifth place prize.
Philippaerts started showing Carlito C in June after his brother, Nicola, showed the horse for several months. With the new partnership, he has had a great season with several top finishes competing throughout Europe and Canada, and looks forward to continued success. "He is a very particular horse and he is a very big horse, and in the beginning I thought in this ring it would be quite hard for him. It's a big horse in a small ring, but in the end, he did really well," Philippaerts stated. "He has been great the whole year, so if he keeps continuing, then hopefully we can keep it up for awhile."
Detailing his plan for the night's course, Philippaerts noted, "I was looking a bit and walking the course, and I didn't really know what to expect since it's the first indoor show for him. I didn't really know how he was going to react, but he did very well. I made my plan and it worked out and I was quick enough."
Final Results: $50,000 International Open Jumper Speed Final, Faults Converted
1. CARLITO C: 2002 BWP gelding by Kannan
OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Franz Lens: 0/54.79 - 54.79
2. CORAL REEF VIA VOLO: 1998 BWP mare by Clinton x Heartbreaker
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Coral Reef Ranch: 0/55.68 - 55.68
3. BELIEVE: 2006 KWPN mare by Ukato x Burggraaf
DANIEL BLUMAN (COL), Daniel Bluman LLC: 04/54.15 - 58.15
4. LIGIST: 2000 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Levantos II x Robin Z
REED KESSLER (USA), Kessler Show Stables LLC: 4/55.24 - 59.24
5. MOONDOGGIE: 2005 Holsteiner gelding by Lord Continuet x South Pacific
LESLIE HOWARD (USA), Leslie Howard: 0/59.49 - 59.49
6. ZERO: 2004 KWPN gelding by Metropole x Climax
LAURA KRAUT (USA), Stone Hill Farm: 0/59.89 - 59.89
7. BALANCE: 2006 KWPN gelding by Cantos x Peter Pan
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 4/56.07 - 60.07
8. ZANDER: 2004 KWPN gelding Cantos x Saygon
MCLAIN WARD (USA), McLain Ward and Grant Road Partners: 8/54.63 - 62.63
9. FINEMAN: 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Feliciano x Beach Boy
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Rose Hill Farm: 8/55.27 - 63.27
10. J'ESPERE DREAM CH: 2002 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Darco x Alme Z
NICOLA PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Nicola Philippaerts: 8/55.78 - 63.78
11. BÖCKMANNS LAZIO: 2000 Westphalian stallion by Lancer II x Cor de la Bryere
Margie Engle (USA), Elm Rock LLC: 8/56.66 - 64.66
12. GABRIEL: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Lord Z x Utrillo vd Heffinck
KATILIN CAMPBELL (USA), WHISH LLC: 8/57.06 - 65.06