Nicola Philippaerts stole the show in Mexico city to take the LGCT Grand Prix in front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday, April 14th 2024. Partnering H&M Luna van’t Ruytershof, the win welcomed his third-ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix (LGCT) victory.
The crowd erupted in applause as Philippaerts triumphantly crossed the finish line in a thrilling five-rider jump-off in the €327,000 class, ultimately securing his first LGCT Grand Prix win since 2018!
Speaking with Rosie Tapner for GCTV, Nicola paid tribute to his winning partner. He explained, “She has a heart of gold, she is a real lion when she gets in the ring… and it looks like she really likes Mexico City! She really deserves this win, and it’s a fantastic event here – Mexico City is one of my favourite shows and I am always happy to come back here.”
Picking up the third Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix for 2024 at the GC Playoffs in November, Nicola couldn’t hide his relief to return to such an esteemed event. He said: “It means a lot, of course to be able to jump the LGCT Super Grand Prix is a real honour and I just can’t wait to compete there.”
And for the Philippaerts family dynasty? It, of course, did not go unmentioned during Nicola’s winner’s interview. Ludo Philippaerts, Nicola’s father, was the very first Longines Global Champions Tour Champion of Champions, securing the 2006 overall Championship, proving that talent runs in their blood. After his emotionally charged win, he said, “To be honest, my family behind me and all my team at home, it’s unbelievable what they mean to me, it’s a win for them of course, and without them I would never be here now.”
“To be honest, my family behind me and all my team at home, it’s unbelievable what they mean to me, it’s a win for them of course, and without them I would never be here now.”
Nicola Philippaerts
In a close second, Luiz Felipe Cortizo Gonçalves De Azevedo Filho and Sierra du Piedroux Z were the only other double clear, but were over 3 seconds slower than Philippaerts. LGCT Championship leader Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and the 19-year-old Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot demonstrated their consistency once again by jumping clear in every LGCT Grand Prix round 1 this year, solidifying their reputation as the best to take third as the faster on four faults in the jump-off.
Extending his overall LGCT Championship lead, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar now has a 5-point advantage with Max Khuner, on 92 points. Simon Delestre jumps up three places to 66 points as the race hots up, heading to Shanghai for the fourth stage in a couple of weeks.
Riding his incredible Rokfeller, Eduardo paid tribute to his consistency in the 2024 championship so far, “I am very happy with the result here in Mexico City, my horse jumped amazingly. This year in the three Longines Global Champions Grand Prix’s, he has been three times in the top five, so that’s very impressive regularity from Rockefeller.”He went on to add, “The championship is definitely going the right way so we keep going. The next show for me is going to be Madrid, a home show for us, so of course I will try my best there.”
Looking ahead, the LGCT now sets its sights on Shanghai for the fourth stage of the season. With anticipation building and competition fiercer than ever, riders and spectators can expect another exhilarating showcase of world-class showjumping talent in the bustling metropolis of China.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.