Dec. 2015 Issue_ August 2013a 2015-11-23 6:27 PM Page 37 DECEMBER 2015 THE RIDER /37
Nicola Philippaerts Wins $50,000 Weston Canadian Open at 2015 Royal Horse Show®
November 13, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario – Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts scored victory in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open on Friday night, November 13, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The Royal Agricultur- al Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON. British course designer
About The Royal The Royal Agricultural
Richard Jeffery set a challenging speed track for the starting field of 21 entries. With high speed came great risk, and only two riders managed to cross the fin- ish line with all the rails still intact. Philippaerts did it in the fastest time, coming home in 59.83 seconds riding H&M Harley vd Bisschop while U.S. veteran Leslie Howard opted for a more conservative approach, stopping the clock in 64.04 sec- onds riding Utah. By compari- son, fellow American Mclain Ward, winner of Wednesday night’s $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto, posted the evening’s fastest time, a blistering 55.82 seconds riding HH Carlos Z, but at the expense of a rail to finish third. “The course was pretty big
Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts claimed victory riding H&M Harley vd Bisschop in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open held Friday night, November 13, at the Royal Horse Show®.
for a speed class,” said Philip- paerts, 22. “There were only two clears and many were fast. There were a few that were faster than me but had one down. There were some difficulties, like the combination and the skinny ver- tical, but I was lucky enough to leave the rails up.” Fellow Belgian competitor
Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agri- cultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agri- cultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhi- bition Place, Toronto. For com- petition schedules, live web- casting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit
www.royal-
fair.org.
$50,000 Weston Canadian Open – Friday, November 13
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time 1. Nicola Philippaerts Belgium H&M Harley vd Bisschop 0 59.83 2. Leslie Howard United States Utah 0 64.04 3. Mclain Ward United States HH Carlos Z 4 55.82 4. Francois Mathy, Jr. Belgium Polinska des Isles 4 58.34 5. Charlie Jacobs United States Cassinja S 4 59.58 6. Dermott Lennon United States Loughview Lou Lou 4 59.93 7. Conor Swail Ireland Martha
Louise 4 60.55 8. Roberto Teran Colombia Brilliant du Rouet 4 63.05 9. Daniel Bluman Colombia Conconcreto Believe 4 63.10 10. Sharn Wordley New Zealand Hickstead’s Axel 4 68.83 11. Beezie Madden United States Vanilla 8 58.50 12. Reed Kessler United States Charity 33 8 60.96
Francois Mathy, Jr., was another rider who produced a faster round in 58.34 seconds riding Polinska des Isles but had four faults to place fourth. American Charlie Jacobs was also faster than Philippaerts, clocking in at 59.58 seconds, but again failed to leave all the jumps in place to take fifth with Cassinja S. “I didn’t think I was fast
enough,” continued Philippaerts, who has been partnered with H&M Harley vd Bisschop, a grey Belgian Warmblood geld- ing, since last year. “I was halfway through the class and my horse is quite fast naturally, but he’s only eight and he doesn’t have all the experience yet. He did great today and I’m super happy with him. I think it’s a great horse. I hope it’s going to be one of my good horses in my future.” Philippaerts and his twin
Two-time Olympic team gold medalist Mclain Ward produced the fastest four fault performance to take third riding HH Carlos Z in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open.
brother, Olivier, are both com- peting in the international divi- sion of the Royal Horse Show®. Their father, Ludo, is a four- time Olympian for Belgium, and was ringside in Toronto to help the twins as they carry on the family name in the sport of show jump- ing. He was not only the proud father of the win- ning rider, but also the proud owner of the win- ning horse, as he owns H&M Harley vd Biss- chop in partnership with Ben Beevers. “I think the Royal is
fantastic!” said Nicola Philippaerts. “There is so much culture and history at this show. It’s always nice to come here. The crowd not only cheers for the Canadians, but for anyone who rides well.” Funding support for
Olympic team silver medalist Leslie Howard of the United States placed second riding Utah in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open. All Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography
The Royal has been pro- vided by the City of Toronto and the Govern- ment of Ontario.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56