© DigiShots
Nearly three months ago, Olivier Philippaerts of Belgium was sidelined from competition after sustaining an injury to the shoulder a day before the start of the Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
With the help of physical therapy, the 24-year-old returned to the saddle and picked up his first win back on October 28, 2017. A little over two weeks later and he’s done it again, this time aboard the 11-year-old DSP mare H&M Legend of Love (Landzauber x Corgraf) at Jumping Indoor Maastricht on Sunday, November 12, 2017.
Philippaerts and his partner of three years bested a field of 40 to take home top honors in the Grand Prix of Maastricht CSI3*. The feature event, held in Maastricht, Netherlands, brought the three day competition to a close.
The Netherlands took home the following four placings in the order, with the runner up position going to Frank Schuttert and the nine-year-old Westphalian stallion Chianti’s Champion.
“I tried everything. It just wasn’t enough, but I am very satisfied, “commented Schuttert. “I’m very happy with how [Chianti] jumped today; the whole weekend, because Friday we were 3rd in the VDL Group Prize. Chianti played with the obstacles. He jumps so easily.”
Third place went to Lisa Noorn and the 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion VDL Groep Sabech d’Ha (Qredo de Paulstra x Talent Platiere). Noorn also had a 3rd place finish in the Grand Prix two years prior.
“I was not fast enough today. I just did not see the distances,” commented Noorn. “But I am very satisfied. My horse has been out for a while and this is a nice result.”
The full results can be viewed here.