2011
Talent always makes its way to the top

Spring 2011: Nicola and Carlos V.H.P.Z. leave for the Tuscan city of Arezzo, where Stal Philippaerts holds its spring campaign. There were immediately signs of something special beginning to bloom, with a phenomenal combination seeing the light of day.

Carlos V.H.P.Z. finished a double, faultless performance at the National Cup in Lummen. It proved that Nicola’s top performer could take on the most difficult of tests. Carlos repeated this performance in Lisbon to become the star of the Grand Prix. An impressive win for Nicola.

Riding Carlos V.H.P.Z., Nicola also took home the gold medal in the Young Riders competition at the European Championships: as an individual rider and in a team with his brother, Olivier. The Nicola-Carlos duo became the talk of the town for insiders. How could it have been any different with a second place in the Belgian Championships, silver in the minor Grand Prix in Liège, and a high ranking as a debutant at the World Cup in Mechelen?

The young rider overflowed with talent; it was clear to everyone in the know. Because even without Carlos, he performed admirably in important competitions, drawing the best out of horses such as Walestro van het Bloemenhof and Maloubet de Pleville.

Results 2011
1European Championship YRComporta, PortugalCarlos V.H.P. Z
1Nations Cup EC - YRComporta, PortugalCarlos V.H.P. Z
1GPLisboa, PortugalCarlos V.H.P. Z
2Belgian ChampionshipLanaken, BelgiumCarlos V.H.P. Z
4Nations CupLummen, BelgiumCarlos V.H.P. Z
4GPVimeiro, PortugalWalestro v/h Bloemenhof
5Nations CupLisboa, PortugalCarlos V.H.P. Z
5GPDublin, IrelandCarlos V.H.P. Z
5GPBeervelde, BelgiumWalestro v/h Bloemenhof
8GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyCarlos V.H.P. Z
9World CupMechelen, BelgiumCarlos V.H.P. Z

 

2012
From Carlos to Cortez

At the beginning of 2012, Nicola rode in numerous competitions including those at Ghent, Paris and, once again, Arezzo. The spring saw Nicola push Vadetta van het Mettenhof to many excellent performances. These included the Grand Prix in Lummen, where Nicola stepped onto the podium for the eleventh time. Nicola continued to turn heads and draw attention.

As for Carlos V.H.P.Z.? He was too good to be kept in just one stable. He ran among top qualifiers in consecutive Grand Prix competitions and, with Nicola, won the Grand Prix at Falsterbo in Sweden. A sale was inevitable. And so, they separated: the top horse from Nicola’s first senior competition moved on to a new owner.

Nicola also forged ahead. He brought Vadetta and Diebrich de Kalvarie into the fold, as well as Cortez (f. Quick Star), who was impatiently waiting. Nicola formed a close bond with Cortez: the duo came in sixth place in the Belgian Senior Championships and made an impression during the autumn campaign in North America. Cortez turned in excellent performances in Lexington (Kentucky) and Toronto.

Results 2012
1GPFalsterbo, SwedenCarlos V.H.P. Z
2Nations CupLummen, BelgiumCarlos V.H.P. Z
2GPGent, BelgiumVadetta v/h Mettenhof
3Nations CupRome, ItalyCarlos V.H.P. Z
3GPBonheiden, BelgiumCortez
4GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyCarlos V.H.P. Z
6Belgian ChampionshipLanaken, BelgiumCortez
7GPRotterdam, NetherlandsCarlos V.H.P. Z
7GPBirmingham, United KingdomCortez
8GPLexington, United StatesCortez
8GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyCarlos V.H.P. Z
9GPToronto, CanadaCortez
9GPPalm Beach, United StatesCortez
9GP Topsport FlandersMechelen, BelgiumVadetta v/h Mettenhof
2013
Career in top gear

In 2013, Nicola’s international career went into top gear: just twenty years old, he travelled to the United Arab Emirates, where—nota bene—he won. The riding world looked on with approval, support and admiration.

The year ran like a dream, with the spring in Arezzo, followed by Grand Prix qualifiers and Grand Prix competitions. Vadetta van het Mettenhof and Diebrich de Kalvarie continued to perform admirably. Quenzo de la Roque became one of Nicola’s favourite horses, sire Forever d'Arco ter Linden gradually came to demand a place in the frontline and mare Donatella – N appeared on the scene.

Nicola rode Cortez to conquer the renowned Grand Prix of Lummen. The year was already a phenomenal success, but when Nicola finished second in another prominent competition—the Aachen Nations Cup—there was no topping the euphoria!

In the autumn, Cortez and Nicola once again made the big crossing to North America. The result? An impressive second place in the Lexington Grand Prix. The celebrations continued with a new horse awaiting Nicola’s return home: Bisquet Balou C.

Results 2013
1GPLummen, BelgiumCortez
1GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyQuenzo d/l Roque
2Nations CupAachen, GermanyCortez
2Nations CupCalgary, CanadaVadetta v/h Mettenhof
2GPLexington, United StatesCortez
2GPDonaueschingen, GermanyQuenzo d/l Roque
2GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyCortez
3Nations CupSankt Gallen, SwitzerlandCortez
7GPMoorsele, BelgiumForever d'Arco ter Linden
8GPCopenhagen, DenmarkVadetta v/h Mettenhof
9GPMoorsele, BelgiumBisquet Balou C