FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012 39
Big Memories
By Jan Westmark-Allan
The month of September was the time to be a show jumper
in North America, as Spruce Meadows held the $1,000,000 CN
International Grand Prix in Calgary while across the country HITS
Saugerties held the $1 Million Pfzer Grand Prix. American McLain
Ward rode away with the big prize in Saugerties, while in Canada
the winnings were a family affair thanks to brilliant rides from a
father and son.
Olivier Philippaerts, a 19-year-old from Belgium, piloted his 10
year old Warmblood gelding, Cabrio Van De Heffnck to the million
dollar win, followed closely by his father Ludo Philippaerts, who
placed third, on Challenge Van De Begijnakker.
The young rider, who has a twin brother who also competes,
could only describe the million dollar victory as “incredible.”
The father and son took home a combined paycheck of
$438,000. “It’s a dream to ride with your two sons somewhere like
Spruce Meadows,” Ludo told the Spruce Meadows media. “ For
one of them to win the biggest competition in the world. There are
no words.”
While it was an emotional day for the Philippaerts family, it
was also an emotional day for everyone in attendance at Spruce
Meadows. The day began with a tribute to Hickstead, one of the
greatest show jumping horses of all time. Canadian Eric Lamaze,
riding partner of the famed stallion, was on hand to dedicate the
statue. Eric was also inducted into the Spruce Meadows Hall of
Fame along with his famed mount who passed away in November
2011. The bronze, made by Mary Sand, will stay permanently at
Spruce Meadows, as per Eric’s wishes.
Million Dollar
Ride: Olivier
Philippaerts
and Cabrio
Van De
Heffnck,
winner of
the CN
International
Grand Prix.
Photo by Spruce
Meadows Media
Services
e