OCALA, Fla.--Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium on Derby de Riverland won the $63,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN on opening day of the League of Nations Ocala event at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Wednesday, March 19.
Nicola Phillippaerts on Derby d Riverland (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Ocala is the second stop on the League of Nations series and is the only event held in North America.
Abu Dhabi, UAE, Ocala, Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Gassin – St. Tropez, France comprise the League of Nations series before the final takes place in Barcelona, Spain from Oct. 2 to 5.
Forty-four athletes entered the $63,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN, which was held in a single round format with the fastest time winning.
Over half of the competitors just jumped a few fences or otherwise just schooled in the big outdoor ring.
Competing in the second half of the order, Philippaerts moved into the lead with a time of 64.08 seconds
Two horses later, Philippaerts would face his greatest challenge from Kent Farrington, currently number two in the World Rankings.
Riding Myla, Farrington finished in a time of 66.63 seconds but failed to put Philippaerts’ lead in jeopardy.
WITH PHILLIPPAERTS winning and Farrington finishing second, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle rounded out the top three on Quintin, finishing clean in 66.99 seconds.
“It was a pretty fast class, and mine is a very good speed horse,” said Philippaerts. “It was a bit my luck that everything turned out well, and the turns worked out. ‘Derby’ is a real fighter in the ring. He’s very careful. He always tries to make an effort in the best way possible. I think he likes North America. He’s always having good results over here.”
Philippaerts competed in Ocala for the inaugural League of Nations event last year and returns as a member of the Belgian team along with Niels Bruynseels, Emilie Conter, and Thibeau Spits.
“This is the second time here for me,” said the 31-year-old. “I was here last year for the Nations Cup, and I really like it here. The facility is amazing. There are a lot of places to ride the horses, and the horses like the ring as well, so I’m happy to be back. I think we have a very good team, so hopefully everything works out on Saturday.”
Six of the top 10 athletes in the World Rankings are competing in Ocala, including world number one, Henrik von Eckermann.
He will ride for Sweden in the League of Nations event on Saturday when they face off against Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States in the two-round $770,000 League of Nations team competition.
Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, Aaron Vale, and McLain Ward will represent the home side.
