2020-2021

Olivier & Nicola Philippaerts - Opening leg Longines Global Champions League Doha 2020

2020

De tweeling samen op het podium

Nicola takes a smooth start of 2020 in Oliva with, amongst other horses, H&M Chilli Willi. Many fans are, just like us, happy to see the magic combination again in the ring.

No doubt that Nicola and his twin Olivier are in shape when the opening leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour and League takes place in Doha. For the first time, the twins win together. Nicola adds a cherry on the cake by bringing home the silver medal after an outstanding performance with Katanga v/h Dingeshof in the Grand Prix of Doha.

And then, it happens, the world is under lockdown and the Olympics get canceled. Nicola won’t sit idle and keeps on training as much as possible and decides to pass on his knowledge while organizing training sessions.

When the Hubside Jumping in Saint-Tropez finally breaks a long break of shows, Nicola takes his horses there and turns out to be the best Belgian rider in the Grand Prix, again with Katanga v/h Dingeshof.

1 / 3

H&M Chilli Willi♡

2 / 3

Team London Knights, Nicola - Emily - Olivier, Global Champions League Playoffs Final 2021

3 / 3

Nicola & Katanga v/h Dingeshof - Global Champions League Playoffs Final 2021

2021

Herinneringen met een donker randje

What a year for Nicola. He hits the top five more than 40 times, but he also has to cope with the loss of a very special horse.

At the beginning of the year, Nicola takes off to Wellington to prepare for the season. Unfortunately, he lives a nightmare when H&M Chilli Willi strumbles, breaks his leg and Nicola has to take the decision to release him from suffering and to let him go. The magic duo is no more.

Once back in Europe, Nicola tries to focus, work hard and jump great. And he seems to manage quite good, like at the Nations Cup in Sopot when Nicola and Katanga v/h Dingeshof bring home silver for Belgium.

Last year was Nicola’s and Olivier’s first time on stage together, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last. They repeat it several times in 2021. They now go to their first championship together and make the Belgian Senior riders win bronze at the European Championships. And, when the London Knights turn to Prague for the thrilling Global Champions League Super Cup, the twins and their teammate Emily Moffit are victorious once again. Katanga v/h Dingeshof is there to witness many wins this year.

However, all the successes are always overshadowed by grief over the beloved Chilli Willi.