'Comeback' win for Philippaerts in World Cup round

January 1, 2009

Belgian rider Ludo Philippaerts scored a home-side victory in the World Cup jumping round in Mechelen on Tuesday.

In a jump off of eight combinations, the Belgian rider took risks, attacking all fences. The reward was as good as it can get: winning in front of an almost hysteric home crowd, keeping the 20 Belgian World Cup points inside Belgium.

Ludo Philippaerts Ludo and Cavalor's Winningmood win Tuesday's Mechelen World Cup round. © Dirk Caremans/FEI

"This is what I've been waiting for for a long time," said Philippaerts with a sigh of relief. "I can't remember when I won my last World Cup qualifier, I think it was in Bordeaux or Paris, maybe eight years ago."

The seventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup competition resulted in a very special victory. Last Sunday in the Nekkerhal, Philippaerts said goodbye to his former top horse Parco, the grey stallion who took him to his last FEI World Cup win eight years ago. Parco has been retired to stud. Only two days later another grey stallion took over from the legendary Parco. Cavalor Winningmood showed the same attitude as his predecessor, ‘eating' all fences, jumping with the greatest of hearts.

"They are quite alike", says Ludo. "Both grey, both by Darco. But Winningmood has even more blood than Parco. I bought him when he was only six months old and I'm still the owner, so I gave myself a nice Christmas present!"

This present consisted of a brand new Land Rover, very suitable as Philippaerts has gone on holiday to Tanzania.

Results of the Rolex FEI World Cup competition in Mechelen:
1) Ludo Philippaerts (BEL), Cavalor Winningmood, 0-0/38.53 sec.
2) Daniel Etter (SUI), Peu a Peu, 0-0/38.90 sec.
3) Christian Ahlmann (GER), Lorenzo, 0-0/40.60 sec.
4) Pieter Devos (BEL), Tekila D, 0-4/38.62 sec.
5) Denis Lynch (IRL), Nabab's Son, 0-4/40.21 sec.
6) Pénélope Leprevost (FRA), Jubilee d'Ouilly, 0-4/40.22 sec.
7) Jos Lansink (BEL), Valentina van ‘t Heike, 0-4/40.28 sec.
8) Judy-Ann Melchior (BEL), Aktion Pur Z, 0-8/42.27 sec.

Standings after 7 of 13 competitions:
1) Steve Guerdat (SUI), 51
2) Daniel Etter (SUI), 45
3) Ludo Philippaerts (BEL), 41
4) Ben Maher (GBR), 39
4) Edwina Alexander (AUS), 39
6) Geir Gulliksen (NOR), 35
6) Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), 35 (already qualified)
8) Max Kuhner (GER), 34
9) Rutherford Latham (ESP), 33
10) Gerco Schroder (NED), 30
10) Helena Lundback (SWE), 30
12) Thomas Velin (DEN), 27
13) Omar Bonomelli (ITA), 25
14) Vincent Voorn (NED), 22
15) Alois Pollmann Schweckhorst (GER), 20
15) Jos Lansink (NED), 20
15) Nicolas Delmotte (FRA), 20
18) Marcus Ehning (GER), 19
19) Lars Nieberg (GER), 18
19) Tim Stockdale (GBR), 18