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Nicola Philippaerts closes out week 6 with victory in the $25,000 CP National Grand Prix

Monday, 21 February 2022
CSI3* WEF 6 2022

Photo © Sportfot. Nicola Philippaerts and Zayado in their winning presentation. Photo © Sportfot.

 

Press release from Equestrian Sport Productions


 

The $25,000 CP National Grand Prix wrapped up an action-packed day on the field. Forty-seven combinations tried their hand at the first-round course. A tight time allowed of 77 seconds had competitors looking to be efficient and quick in their track, which resulted in many rails coming down. Six advanced to the jump-off, where Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts laid down the fastest double clear performance with Zayado in 38.214 seconds to claim the win.

Cathleen Driscoll (USA) was the pathfinder in the first round and found the first clear straight away aboard Dame de Pique, owned by Plain Bay Farm. It was after half of the starting list had shown before the class had its second clear in Philippaerts and Zayado. Nicholas Dello Joio (USA), Christian Coyle (IRL), Veronica Tracy (USA), and Wilhelm Genn (GER) were then also able to add their names to the jump-off list.

“I think the time, for sure, was quite challenging for everyone. I walked my own course based on what’s best for my horse and just tried to go a little bit for the time between the jumps. Zayado’s actually quite sneaky fast, so I think that helped with the time,” explained Philippaerts.

Driscoll tried to replicate her commanding first-round performance, but ran into a little trouble, leaving the door open for the competitors to follow. Philippaerts took just enough chances for a speedy clear to put the pressure on the rest of the field. It proved to be an insurmountable task, with the white, skinny vertical off of a tight turn falling numerous times as riders tried to chase the time to beat.

Photo © Sportfot. Nicola Philippaerts and Zayado. Photo © Sportfot.

Coyle came the closest, crossing the timers fault-free with his horse Costa Diam, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare by Componist Champblanc x Allegreto, in 39.411 seconds for a second-place finish. Genn had the time in 35.858 seconds with Bugatti, Eduardo Leon’s 16-year-old KWPN gelding by Heartbreaker x Pilot, but that white, skinny vertical coming down meant he would have to settle for third.

“There were a few more natural jumps in the course today, but Zayado is very brave. He’s jumped all over the world. I think his experience showed today, and it was a good day to have him in this class,” said Philippaerts.

Zayado, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cayado x Casall, has been with Team Philippaerts and Famille Lens for five years, but it was Nicola’s twin brother Olivier who had the ride previously. The brothers thought that the competition at WEF would suit Zayado, so he shipped from their base in Belgium over to Wellington.

“I think he likes the weather here like everybody else. He’s a lovely horse. He’s like a big teddy bear, really,” described Philippaerts. “He’s very easy and comfortable to ride, and he can jump big jumps. You’re always quite sure he will try to do his best. It’s always nice if you can go with a horse like this into the ring.”

Final Results: $25,000 CP National Grand Prix

1. ZAYADO: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by Cayado x Casall
NICOLA PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Team Philippaerts & Famille Lens: 0/0/38.214

2. COSTA DIAM: 2012 Selle Français mare by Componist Champblanc x Allegreto
CHRISTIAN COYLE (IRL), Christian Coyle Show Stables: 0/0/39.411

3. BUGATTI: 2006 KWPN gelding by Heartbreaker x Pilot
WILHELM GENN (GER), Eduardo Leon: 0/4/35.858

4. MONBEG THUNDERBALL B: 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding by O-Piloth
VERONICA TRACY (USA), Coleridge Equestrian BV: 0/4/37.143

5. OPIUM DU SOUFFLET: 2009 Swiss Warmblood gelding by Ogano Sitte x Landjuweel St.Hubert
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Rocking D Ranch: 0/8/36.109

6. DAME DE PIQUE: 2011 Holsteiner mare by Casall x Crawford 5
CATHLEEN DRISCOLL (USA), Plain Bay Farm: 0/14/57.001

7. ZAPITOL S Z: 2012 Zangersheide gelding by Zandor x Indorado
RICHARD VOGEL (GBR), Dietmar Gugler: 4/66.662

8. BAHIRA S: 2012 Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet
MCKAYLA LANGMEIER (USA), Rafferty Farm LLC: 4/73.673

9. RF MOST WANTED: 2013 Warmblood gelding
MARILYN LITTLE (USA), Raylyn Farms Inc: 4/74.771

10. MHS CARDENTA: 2012 Irish Sport Horse mare by Cardento 933 x Diamond Serpent
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Amanda Derbyshire: 4/74.852

11. CASH DU PLESSIS: 2012 Selle Français stallion
LORENZO DE LUCA (ITA), Poden Farms: 4/75.073

12. VALDES Z: 2013 Zangersheide stallion by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Ircolando
EVAN COLUCCIO (USA), Hampton Green Farms LLC: 4/75.963



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