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Ludo Philippaerts back in the saddle

Tuesday, 12 January 2021
Sport

Photo © Team Philippaerts. Ludo Philippaerts is back in the saddle. Photo © Team Philippaerts.

Ludo Philippaerts starts riding again. Later this week, the 57-year-old Belgian will be competing in Oliva Nova, Spain where the Philippaerts-family prepares for the new season. 

Ludo Philippaerts retired from international competition in April 2015. During his career he competed four times at the Olympic Games, won silver at the European Championship in Arnhem in 2001 and became Belgian Champion no less than six times. When ending his career, Philippaerts wanted to focus more on trading and his sons’ careers. 

“I don’t want to call it a comeback, but I’m eager to start again,” Philippaerts says in a press release. “I’ve missed that the past five years. When I got back in the saddle in October, the joy of riding came back straight away. Actually, I’m just having fun, so much that I’d like to compete again. Not for the top sport, but for the pleasure it gives me. I hope that I can enjoy it for a long time. This way, I can coach my sons not only in a theoretical way, but also in practice. We’ll see if I’m still able to show it on the higher fences, I can’t answer that yet. Going on shows with nice horses, enjoy myself and support my sons at the same time, that’s the goal I strive for.”

Philippaerts underwent a huge transformation last year, and now weighs 30 kilos less. “For sure, the weight loss plays a role in the eagerness to ride again. By ending my career, everything stopped and I put on weight. Half a year ago, I had enough of it, searched for help and became a different person. I’m glad that I took that step. I’m lighter, I feel better and I’m riding every day. I want to keep enjoying it, there’s no ‘must do’ no more, I only want to have fun. Enjoy myself and improve the horses for my kids, that’s it.”  



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