This Thursday, Olivier Philippaerts rides the five-star show in Doha and then continues to the opening leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour and the Global Champions League. He wants to start strong, together with his new team Stockholm Hearts. This will be the tour’s seventeenth edition already. Brother Nicola Philippaerts, with whom he won the opening leg two years ago, starts later this year, after his preparation in Wellington.
Olivier took a flying start kicking off 2022 with a second and third place in the Grand Prix of Oliva. This Thursday, it’s time for the real deal. Over the past few years, Olivier performed really well, both individually as well as in team. Two years ago, twins Olivier and Nicola won the opening leg of the Longines Global Champions League together.
“I had the opportunity to train and prepare my horses within the best circumstances in Oliva”, says Oliver Philippaerts. “Last Saturday, H&M Legend of Love and H&M Miro took off to Doha already. I arrived here on Monday night. Their results from the past weeks proof that my horses are in shape, so I’m quite assured about the opening competition in Doha. I did so good over here two years ago, but that’s no guarantee for success. It’s quite a distance to make, but to ride two of these shows in two weeks within excellent conditions is a perfect start of the season.”
Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts were part of the London Knights for a long time. Together, they won the Global Champions League Super Cup in Prague last year. However, they take a fresh start this year with the Stockholm Hearts and team up with Lily Attwood, Malin Baryard Johnsson, Lillie Keenan and Peder Fredricson. “I think we’re a strong alliance together. Peder Fredricson the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2021 and is currently the world leader. We’d like to start off strong from the beginning in Doha with him and Malin Baryard Johnsson”, concludes Olivier Philippaerts.
