Olivier Philippaerts races to victory on day 1 of Summer Festival 3 at Longines Tops International Arena
August 09, 2024Competition is in full swing at the Longines Tops International Arena for the Longines Global Future Champions event. The sun came out in Valkenswaard for the CSI4* Against the Clock 1.50m speed class, as a field of 31 top combinations stepped up to tackle the course set by none other than Gregory Bodo.
Top names such as Daniel Deusser, Maikel van der Vleuten, Lorenzo de Luca and Jessica Springsteen have all converged on the spectacular Longines Tops International Arena for a weekend of top sporting action.
Olivier Philippaerts flawlessly piloted his mount Poppemieke JW van de Moerhoeve across the breathtaking grass arena to take the win. The Belgian talent stopped the clock at 61.67 seconds to claim first place. "My mare felt very good today. I didn't have a chance to watch any of the others go before me, but I knew they were quick. I was able to keep my forward rhythm and take the first distance off each turn.” said Philippaerts, who is looking forward to the coming days of competition here in Valkenswaard.
He went on to add, “The grass here in Valkenswaard is brilliant - the underlayer of sand keeps the horses very balanced, and supported. I couldn't be more pleased and now I look ahead to Sunday's Grand Prix with this mare."
Sanne Thijssen was first to go in the expansive grass arena. The Dutch talent set the pace with a fast clear round riding Iron Dames Keiralanda VDM. Rik Hemeryck was next up aboard Navarro van het Eelshof. The Belgian rider took no prisoners and delivered a fast round, tentatively jumping into first place.
Next to go was Mike Kawai of Japan. Kawai looked calm and confident aboard Saxo de la Cour, posting a smooth clear round with the chestnut gelding. American show jumping icon Laura Kraut entered the arena aboard Picco Bello v/h Panishof. Kraut made it look easy, posting a clear round and tentatively jumping into second place.
Dutch rider Joy Lammers delivered a beautiful clear round aboard First Boy B.B., tentatively claiming fourth place. Fellow countryman Marc Houtzager of the Netherlands came home on a clean sheet, earning a top five finish aboard Sterrehof's Calimero. Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira De Menezes made quick work of the course aboard Hot N Spicy but could not quite catch the lightning fast Philippaerts, tentatively taking fifth place. Saudi Arabian rider Meshari Alharbi delivered a quick, clear round in the stunning arena aboard his mount Hi There, securing a top ten finish.
Next to go was Gerben Morsink of the Netherlands. The crowd cheered for Morsink aboard Navarone Z as the Dutch rider laid down a quick time, tentatively jumping into third. Italy’s Gianni Govoni rode a smooth round aboard Kir Royaal Delta Mossel Z, earning a top ten finish. Last to go was Leopold van Asten of the Netherlands. The Dutch rider flew across the arena with VDL Groep Nino du Roton coming home less than a second behind leader Philippaerts, taking second place.
As day one drew to a close, spectators and riders alike gathered in the Place du Concours to toast to a successful first day of competition. Spirits were high as the Longines Tops International Arena looked forward to the coming two days of competition. Join us for what is shaping up to be a sensational weekend of competition in Valkenswaard.
