2011-2015

2011

The conclusion of an outstanding career

2011. Olivier and Nicola continued to make their mark at the Dorperheide stud farm. They brought the fittest, most experienced horses from the stable for their competitions. Ludo also focused on other horses, such as the mares Donatella N and Vadetta van het Mettenhof, both of which were set to enjoy a beautiful future at the Philippaerts stables.

Ludo also saddled up the youngest stallion, Forever d'Arco ter Linden, and counted Chicago van het Moleneind and Denver van het Goemanshof as part of his team.

Kassini Jac and Tauber van het Kapelhof continued to prove their worth. But the question was which horse Ludo would choose when he once more ventured into the most demanding tests on the circuit. It was only in the autumn that this decision was made clear. From that moment, Challenge van de Begijnakker Z and Ludo formed a wonderful combo. Together, they took out the sixth place at the London Grand Prix.

Results 2011

1	GP	Beervelde, Belgium	Kassini Jac
2	GP	Helsinki, Finland	Kassini Jac
2	GP	Baden Classics, Germany	Splendid v/d Heffinck
2	Masters	Mechelen, Belgium	Chicago v/h Moleneind
3	GP	Moorsele, Belgium	Kassini Jac
6	GP	London, United Kingdom	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
7	GP	Strazeele, France	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
8	World Cup	Helsinki, Finland	Kassini Jac
8	GP	Calgary, Canada	Kassini Jac
8	GP	Aalst, Belgium	Sjoeke
10	World Cup	London, United Kingdom	Kassini Jac
10	GP Topsport Vlaanderen	Mechelen, Belgium	Kassini Jac

2012

Olivier imposing on Spruce Meadows

In 2012, Ludo’s hopes were invested in a number of horses. His undisputed favourites? Challenge van de Begijnakker Z, Denver van het Goemanshof, Kassini Jac and Tauber van het Kapelhof.

In the arena, Ludo found himself face to face with young talent, especially in his own sons Olivier and Nicola. He still kept his head above water – to say the least. He clenched two second places in World Cup competitions, plus a well-earned bronze in the Spruce Meadows Grand Prix. The winner of this competition? Olivier, with Cabrio van de Heffinck. Ludo – his arm proudly around the shoulder of his son – couldn’t have been happier.

Jumping horses come and go at the highest levels. Halfway through the season, Tauber van het Kapelhof retired after a formidable career. The competitive days of Kassini Jac were also numbered; both horses were replaced by the studs Quintender II and Zilverstar T.

Results 2012

1	GP Topsport Vlaanderen	Kapellen, Belgium	Chicago v/h Moleneind
2	World Cup	Goteburg, Sweden	Kassini Jac
2	World Cup	Lyon, France	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
3	GP	Calgary, Canada	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
3	Nations Cup	Rome, Italy	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
5	GP	San Patrignano, Italy	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
8	World Cup	Zurich, Switzerland	Kassini Jac
8	GP Gold Tour	Arezzo, Italy	Chicago v/h Molenein
10	GP	La Coruna, Spain	Kassini Jac
10	GP	Aalst, Belgium	Kassini Jac

2013

Fate plays a nasty trick

The much-maligned ‘last jump’ had played a part in Ludo’s career on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, one of these occasions was in 2013. The obstacle cost the Belgian team a historical second victory at the Nations Cup in Aachen.

During the European Championship in the Danish city of Herning, fate once more reared its head. Challenge van de Begijnakker Z suffered from an eye injury. After a sleepless night, however, the duo performed flawlessly. ‘That says everything about the qualities, the talent and the perseverance of my horse,’ explained Ludo.

But on the second day of competitions, exhaustion took its toll and Ludo fell out of contention for the finals. During Challenge’s revalidation, Ludo could not participate in any World Cup competitions: ‘And that hurt.’ Challenge remained away from the arena until the spring of 2014.

2013 was not all roses and rainbows either. When Ludo fell short of the winners’ circle for the Belgian Championships, he decided it was time to at least temporarily hang up his riding helmet and pass the reins to his sons. And not just Olivier and Nicola. Ludo’s youngest, Thibault, was also in the saddle by this time.

The rumour that Ludo had stopped competing spread like wildfire. But an official announcement was not forthcoming. During the winter months, Ludo took the time to set his thoughts straight – by coaching his rider sons and entrenching himself in the horse trade.

Results 2013

1	GP	Arezzo, Italy	Denver v/h Goemanshof
2	Nations Cup	Aachen, Germany	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
2	Nations Cup	Sopot, Poland	Denver v/h Goemanshof
3	Nations Cup	Sankt Gallen, Switzerland	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
4	Belgian Championship	Lanaken, Belgium	Denver v/h Goemanshof
5	GP	Bordeaux, France	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
7	GP	Falsterbo, Sweden	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
9	World Cup	Den Bosch, Netherlands	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z

2014

The deciding factor

Despite the rumours of Ludo’s retirement, he was back in the arena in the spring of 2014, performing as if he had never been away. In the Spanish Vejer de la Frontera, with Challenge van de Begijnakker Z and Denver van het Goemanshof, he secured fourth place.

In the spring jumping competitions in Lummen, he proved that he shouldn’t be subject to scrutiny by those younger than him. And a little later, in Rome, he rode to victory in the Nation’s Cup, in a team with son Nicola. It was like old times when he dominated as a senior team member at the course in Sankt Gallen.

But then tragedy struck. At the five-star jumping competition in Fontainebleau, Ludo lost his balance and hit his head against the ground. ‘I was unconscious for several minutes,’ he explained. The fall deeply affected Ludo’s morale. After one more performance in Mons, he decided to put away his riding crop once more. Was this to be a temporary or a permanent decision? No one knows, not even Ludo.

Results 2014

1	Nations Cup	Rome, Italy	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
1	GP Qualifier	Sankt Gallen, Switzerland	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
3	Prix Catherine de Buyl	Fontainebleau, France	Rapsodi - C.R.
4	GP Tour D	Vejer de la Frontera, Spain	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
6	GP Qualifier	Lummen, Belgium	Rapsodi - C.R.
8	GP	Sankt Gallen, Switzerland	Challenge v/d Begijnakker Z
8	Small GP	Sankt Gallen, Switzerland	Faustino de Liebri

2015

‘Time to pass the torch’

In the spring of 2015, Ludo made the difficult decision: he was ready to leave high-level competition. ‘It was a difficult decision, but it’s time to pass the torch,’ he explained to the press at Dorperheide at the end of April 2015. From that moment, Ludo committed himself entirely to coaching Olivier, Nicola and Thibault. And to the search for top jumping horses for his sons.

During his farewell, Ludo looked back on more than 40 years as a jumper: ‘I’m happy that I could make my childhood dream my profession. I have built everything up myself, from LRV rider to Olympian.’

‘Equestrian sports,’ declared Ludo, ‘have given me so much.’ And the reverse is also true. Ludo made the Philippaerts name a brand and, with great love, built a flourishing family business around it.

Everything continues, thanks to Olivier, Nicola and Thibault. Ludo, recognised as one of the best riders in Belgian history, is looking on from the sidelines. And he likes what he sees.