WELLINGTON, Fla.--Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium, for the second consecutive week, won the $116,100 WEF Challenge Cup, this week on Katanga V/H Dingeshof, his 2022 World Championship mount that he rode for the first time this season at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Nicola Philippaerts on Katanga vh Dingeshof (Photo by Sportfot)Earlier in the day, Tom Wachman of Ireland on I'm Here won the CSI2* 1.45m that opened competition in the International Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Nicole Walker of Canada on Excellent B placed second, and Alison Robitaille on Dagny was third.
It's interesting to note that there are now four owners and/or riders of horses competing at WEF that are powerhouses in international racing.
I'm Here is owned by Coolmore Showjumping, and Tom and Max Wachman are grandsons of John Magnier, co-owner of Coolmore Stud.
Coolmore Stud is a large and influential breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses, owned by the Magnier family and based in Ireland.
It has branches in Australia, America and England, and has produced many champion sires and classic winners, such as Sadler's Wells, Danehill and Galileo.
Ilex is owned by Bonne Chance Farm and McLain Ward.
Bonne Chance Farm, now with a farm in Lexington, Ky., is a top breeder and owner of race horses originally from Argentina, with its most recent star the multiple G1 winner Ivar.
Bonne Chance is rapidly becoming known as one of the top breeders of yearlings sold at auction in the U.S.
Daisy Farish is the daughter of Will Farish, whose Lane''s End Farm breeds and races top race horses such as Hoist the Flag and Code of Honor.
And Alison Robitaille is the daughter of Bert and Diana Firestone, who bred and owned Genuine Risk, one of only two fillies to win the Kentucky Derby.
PHILIPPAERTS won over a starting field of 50 in the WEF Challenge Cup.
“This win feels fantastic,” Philippaerts. “Katanga had a few weeks off. Her last show was at Mechelen for the World Cup, so I gave her a bit of a break. She always likes it here, and she jumped great today. She feels in really great shape and I think she’s happy to be back in Florida.”
Philippaerts was one of 11 that were clean over the first-round course set by 2024 Paris Olympic Games course builder Gregory Bodo of France.
With a later draw, Philippaerts went last in the jump-off, and was in the same position as the week before when he won the same class on Derby de Riverland.
When Philippaerts went, Ben Maher of Great Britain on Enjeu de Grisien was leading in the fast time of 35.62 seconds, and Philippaerts finished two tenths of a second faster than the former Olympic Champion to win.
Maher placed second and Shane Sweetnam of fIreland on Gilona AO was third cleanin 36.14.
“I saw Ben ride and he’s always super quick,” Philippaerts said. “I thought I’d give it a go. Everything worked out really well. She was with me all the time.”
Philippaerts ridden the 15-year-old Katanga since the winter of 2019.
“She feels great,” he said. “I don’t show her that much and try to take her to good shows and the ones that she likes. She’s still in very good shape so hopefully it’s more motivation for this season.”
Wellington has been on Philippaerts’ schedule since 2021, when Katanga first competed at WEF.
“I think for sure she likes the weather,” he said. “She’s a stiff horse naturally, and it loosens up the muscles. She likes the outdoor season a lot more than the indoor season.”
Katanga was also given the Champion Jumper Style Award on Thursday, which Philippaerts found fitting because, “She has a very particular style. She’s the boss and I have to try to follow, steer her to the jumps and she’ll do the rest of the work. She has all the experience, and it’s nice to have such an unbelievable horse in your string.”
Philippaerts will ride Katanga in Saturday night’s $385,000 CSI5* Grand Prix, an class in which they placed fifth during the 2024 season.
