February 17, 2018 
For the second time in as many days, Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts led the victory gallop at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
The genetically gifted show jumper took home the top prize in the $132,000 Rushy Marsh Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* on Friday night aboard H&M Ikker. The speedy pair also won Thursday’s $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 6.
Of the 43 entries in Friday’s grand prix, seven advanced to the jump off in the Ana Catalina Cruz-Harris designed course. Philippaerts and H&M Ikker were second to last in the ring for the short course, posting a smooth and efficient round in 38.85 seconds for the win.
“He was a little tired after the jump-off from yesterday, but again today he was very good,” said the 24-year-old H&M model/rider. “It was a good day for him and I am very happy with him.”
Philippaerts was so happy, in fact, he’s considering extending his stay.
The Belgian rider originally planned to compete for three weeks in Florida, taking in four shows (three at WEF and the Palm Beach Masters at Deeridge Farms earlier in the month).
“He’s been jumping well the last two weeks, so I was hoping to get a win after that. This week he went very well, so I think the horse is going to stay a little longer and maybe do a few more shows in the month of March,” he said.
“It’s been very good for me as a European rider—we go to different venues every week in Europe—to come here for three weeks and jump four different shows. It makes coming really worth it.”
Also, the weather is better. So there’s that.
