WELLINGTON, Fla.--Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts on Derby de Riverland won $62,500, CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 on the grass Derby Field on Thursday,, Jan. 30, repeating his victory from last year when he won the WEF Cup in Round 3.
Nicola Philippaerts on Derby de Riverland (Photo by Sportfot)This year, Philippaerts, last to go it the jump-off, won by an amazing full three seconds over Harry Charles of Great Britain on Casquo Blue.
The class was run in a Winning Round format in which the top 12 make the jump-off, where all start with 0 faults
Derby de Riverland is a special horse for Philippaerts and his family.
Nicola took over the ride from brother Thibault after Tibbault on Derby de Riverland won team gold and individual silver at the European Championships for Young Riders in 2022.
“I’ve had Derby de Riverland now for a while, and for these classes he’s so competitive,” Nicola said of the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding. “He’s super careful, and on a big grass field like this he likes to canter. Last year he liked it a lot here as well; I think he’s happy to be back.”
CHARLES SET the time to beat on Casquo Blue as the second to jump off, finishing clean in 44.41 over Brazilian Anderson Lima’s course.
Charles still led when Philippaerts went as the last to go and finished three seconds faster in 41.98.
“To be honest I thought Harry was quite quick, then there were faults left and right so I gave it a go,” Philippaerts said. “In the jump-off he’s extra careful and always tries to help you in every possible way and today it worked out well again.
Charles finished second, while Niamh McEvoy of Ireland on Jargon DN, was third, clean in 44.52 seconds.
“It’s my fifth year here now, and it’s been good to us,” Philippaerts said. “All year in Europe and then to come here for four months, I think it’s great. The horses like it here as well. Hopefully we can have a good season again."
“I gave Derby de Riverland a bit of a break because he stayed in America,” he said. “His last show was in California, so he had two months off. I gave him a big break to be fresh here for the season. I’m going to jump him in some three- and four-stars. He feels fresh and hopefully ready to go now.”
Philippaerts' top mare Katanga V/H Dingeshof will come out for bigger five-star weeks.
“She is 15 now so she is a year older but she likes it here,” he said. “She’s going to do the five-star next week and not too many shows. We’ll prepare for the summer season in Europe.”
“There are more and more Europeans coming here over the last few years,” he 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.”
Richard Vogel of Germany took over the ride on Quimi del Masett to win the Open 1.40m Thursday morning.
He was also second on Gracieux du Pachis, and. Celso Ariani was third on JIP Van T & L Z.
Luke Jensen on Buzz L'Eclair Teamjoy won the $6,000, 1.40m Open Jumper, and also placed second on Funny Star Semilly, while Juan Jose Bancalari Elmudesi on Cascais HC was third.