2011
Magnificent performances, one after another

Cabrio van de Heffinck and Olivier formed an excellent combination in 2011. This was abundantly clear after the Young Riders victory in Portugal. With Cabrio, Olivier also made his debut in the senior circuit.

He performed for the first time at the FEI Nations Cup in Lisbon. Olivier delivered a double, flawless performance. Maybe he was fuelled by the familiar faces in the Belgian team: those of brother Nicola and father Ludo. A memorable event for the Philippaerts family.

With Cabrio, he secured himself fifth place in the Belgian Championships. Furthermore, he performed magnificently with Sjoeke, Dakar C, the gelding Zilverstar T and Urone.

Results 2011
1Nations Cup EC - YRComporta, PortugalCabrio v/d Heffinck
1GPBonheiden, BelgiumSjoeke
1Class CGucci Masters, Paris, FranceSjoeke
2Prix Friends of the MeadowsCalgary, CanadaDakar C
5Belgian ChampionshipLanaken, BelgiumCabrio v/d Heffinck
2012
Top-notch throughout 2012

There was definitely something in the air in 2012. Olivier delivered excellent performances in the Nation’s Cup in Lummen and the Nation’s Cup in Rome and rode a flawless round in the most highly renowned National Cup competition in the world: Aachen.

The riding world looked on with growing amazement at the incredible performance from the Olivier–Cabrio duo. And at the Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in Canada—one of the most magnificent in the entire circuit—it reached a crescendo. Olivier left his competition in his dust — and he did this as the youngest rider in the arena! He was absolutely beaming. Needless to say, Ludo was as proud as a peacock!

With successive performances at such high standards, Olivier was added to the reserves for the Olympic Games in London. What results might he have recorded with Cabrio in top form? Unfortunately, Olivier did not compete and we will never know.

In the autumn, Nicola and Olivier began a campaign on North American soil. It proved that Olivier could also guide an unknown horse to brilliant performances: in Washington DC, he even won a high jumping trial, with the help of Chicago van het Moleneind.

Results 2012
1GPCalgary, CanadaCabrio v/d Heffinck
1PuissanceWashington DC, United StatesChicago v/h Moleneind
2Nations CupLummen, BelgiumCabrio v/d Heffinck
3Nations CupRome, ItalyCabrio v/d Heffinck
4GPToronto, CanadaVadetta v/h Mettenhof
7GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyCabrio v/d Heffinck
10GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalySjoeke
2013
Looking for the best combination

Experiencing another year as incredibly successful as 2012? That’s very difficult. Nonetheless, Olivier headed into the outdoor season with commitment and determination. Cabrio always jumped fences smoothly, but unfortunately allowed himself to be held back by minor mistakes. And in the fast-changing circuit, this resulted in immediate penalties. Fortunately, it didn’t stop Olivier and Cabrio from charging into second place at the Nations Cup in Calgary.

Meanwhile, the Philippaerts stable was focusing on its search for new high-performance horses. And plenty of owners were happy to present the cream of their crops to the twins. Olivier entered the classifications with the grey stallion Faustino de Tili and other horses such as Chamonix H, Early Morning Mist, Cooper van de Heffinck, Fidele and Qurint.

This began a trend at the Philippaerts stable: regular changes of horse and rider, all in search of the best combination. But that didn’t mean Olivier faltered at all: the quality of the performances in 2013 speak volumes.

Results 2013
1GPZandhoven, BelgiumQurint
2Nations CupCalgary, CanadaCabrio v/d Heffinck
2GPKessel, NetherlandsFidele
2GPLoenhout, BelgiumFidele
2MastersKessel, NetherlandsFaustino de Tili
5GPSpangenberg, GermanyCabrio v/d Heffinck
5GP Gold TourArezzo, ItalyChamonix H
6GPArnhem, NetherlandsChamonix H
8GPMoorsele, BelgiëVignet