Philippaerts and Derby de Riverland Win WEF Challenge Cup 4

International athletes at the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) have made a habit of repeating past wins, and Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts fit that mold on Thursday. On the grass derby field, the 2016 Olympian earned a repeat win from 2024 aboard Derby de Riverland. This time around, the win came in the $62,500 Adequan® CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 4, whereas last year it was Round 3. The horse—now just a year older and more experienced—rose to the occasion yet again.

Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.

Derby de Riverland is a special horse for Philippaerts and his family. Nicola took over the ride from brother Thibault after the pair won team gold and individual silver at the European Championships for Young Riders in 2022.

“I’ve had [Derby de Riverland] now for a while and for these classes he’s so competitive,” Nicola remarked of the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Kannan x l’Arc de Triomphe). “He’s super careful and on a big grass field like this he likes to canter. Last year he liked it a lot here as well; I think he’s happy to be back.”

Harry Charles (GBR) set a tough time to beat aboard Casquo Blue as the second to jump off over Anderson Lima’s (BRA) course. Charles, who crossed the timers at 44.41 seconds, still led when Nicola stepped in as the last to go. In a winning round format, Nicola’s quick clear earned him the privilege of jumping last among the 12 clear efforts.

“To be honest I thought Harry was quite quick, then there were faults left and right so I gave it a go,” Nicola said of his strategy after stopping the clock in a winning 41.98 seconds. “In the jump-off he’s extra careful and always tries to help you in every possible way and today it worked out well again.”

Charles ended up second, while Niamh McEvoy (IRL) and Jargon DN, owned by GBBS International, claimed third in a jump-off time of 44.52 seconds.

Nicola has become a staple in international action in Wellington and always looks forward to spending the winter months in the United States. Derby de Riverland likes America so much, he never left.

“It’s my fifth year now, and it’s been good to us,” he said of being in Wellington. “All year in Europe and then to come here for four months, I think it’s great. The horses like it here as well. Hopefully we can have a good season again.

“I gave [Derby de Riverland] a bit of a break because he stayed in America,” he continued. “His last show was in California so he had two months off. I gave him a big break to be fresh here for the season. I’m going to jump him in some three- and four-stars. He feels fresh and hopefully ready to go now.”

With his eye on bigger events still, Nicola’s top mare Katanga V/H Dingeshof will come out for bigger five-star weeks.

“She is 15 now so she is a year older but she likes it here,” Nicola elaborated on his string. “She’s going to do the five-star next week and not too many shows. We’ll prepare for the summer season in Europe.”

Nicola agrees that seeing more fellow Europeans come to Wellington each year is a great thing, even when a win may become more elusive.

“There are more and more Europeans coming here over the last few years,” he remarked. “To be here for the winter is very nice and it’s also nice for us to see different people and a different environment. It’s always nice to get the best parts of both; half the year in Europe and half the year in America. I think it’s fantastic and it’s a great time to be here.”

As winners of the WEF 4 Challenge Cup, Nicola and Derby de Riverland were presented with the Barry Louise Lane Perpetual Memorial Trophy by Debbie Lane.

For full results from the $62,500 Adequan® CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 4, click HERE.