It was a golden weekend for Nicola Philippaerts in Chantilly, who picked up his second win of the Longines Global Champions Tour season.
On board H&M Chilli Willi, Philippaerts also secured victory in the Global Champions League team competition alongside London Knights teammate Ben Maher.
British rider Maher narrowly missed out to Philippaerts at the final fence of the jump off in the LGCT competition, but he did extend his lead at the top of the overall standings.
All LGCT Grand Prix winners qualify for December’s inaugural GC Playoffs in Prague. With Philippaerts’ place already guaranteed due to his victory at Cascais earlier this season, second-place rider Daniel Deusser’s spot is now assured.
“I am very happy – I can’t believe it, and both horses are jumping amazing,” Philippaerts told a press conference. “Today I was very lucky, we had a quick time but Ben was also quick but sometime you have these days.
“Chilli Willi is not naturally super fast, so I just did my own round. My father’s advice was to try ride as quick as possible and it’s is nice to have always around.
“My team is very important and I think for the moment everything is working out well.”
Maher’s second place means he remains ahead of Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander and Harrie Smolders in the standings.
Tops-Alexander is bidding to make history by becoming the first rider to win the LGCT three times.
“I feel confident right now in the horses and I have one more result I need to count,” said Maher.
“But there are still many good riders such as Edwina, Harrie and Nicola so I think it will come down to the wire.”
