02-01-2009
We like competing in France because the spectators at some of the events (such as Blaye, Caen, …) are really very enthusiastic about show jumping.
Getting autographs of the riders is very common there and the riders often appreciate this.
But sometimes this leads to very strange situations, such as in Caen.
In October we were in Caen with six Belgian riders. As always it was really enjoyable.
The contest was spread over two days.
Ludo Philippaerts was present as well. He had only brought 2 horses, the other riders had 3. Ludo had chosen to ride his 2 horses in the race on Saturday morning. After he had finished, he went to get changed. So no more white trousers and riding boots, just a pair of jeans and sports shoes.
The other Belgian riders had to compete in the evening and Ludo came to see them.
Christophe Vanderhasselt performed very well and almost won the show jumping event.
After the competition a French lady came to take a picture of Christophe, who was very pleased with the interest. After having taken the picture, she asked him who he was.
She had never heard of "Vanderhasselt" before.
We were very proud to have Ludo Philippaerts with us and introduced her to the pride of the Belgian show jumping world.
In our best French we explained that Ludo is a fantastic rider, who had already competed at several Olympics.
She examined him from head to foot and decided that it was impossible that he was a sportsman. Even when we pointed at his sports shoes, she did not believe us. We must admit the shoes looked pretty new and apparently had not been used very much.
You should have seen the look on Ludo’s face. He was really flabbergasted, but at the same time he was determined to go for it. And that is one of Ludo’s strengths.
In the Caen Grand Prix he indeed performed very well with Cassini's Jac, but in the jump-off it just didn’t work out.
But at the world cup event in Mechelen Ludo showed the audience that he is back.
If only the French lady knew… We would like to see the look on her face!
Then she would know that Ludo is a sportsman indeed!
So far for our discussion about the show jumping Mechelen.
We are very pleased with the first appearance of our rider Patrik Spits with Withney. Taking into account that it was the first time they entered in a world cup challenge, things went very well. Now it is time to prepare ourselves for the outdoor season and we believe 2009 might become a really successful year!
One last important piece of advice for all sportsmen and sportswomen: believe in yourself and in your horse, but systematically build up your performance. Ludo has taken the necessary time to bring Winningmood to the current level. The French audience will soon remember Ludo Philippaerts.
We wish all of you lots of success in 2009: young and old, Belgian, Joe Clee who is celebrating his birthday, Harry Smolders, and all other cordial foreigners, both amateurs and professionals!
Click on the following link to see all results of the show jumping Mechelen.
If only the French lady knew…
During the new year’s party a funny story came up related to Ludo Philippaerts’ victory in the world cup. It had to do with a French lady we don’t know and whom we wouldn’t even recognize if we saw her again.We like competing in France because the spectators at some of the events (such as Blaye, Caen, …) are really very enthusiastic about show jumping.
Getting autographs of the riders is very common there and the riders often appreciate this.
But sometimes this leads to very strange situations, such as in Caen.
In October we were in Caen with six Belgian riders. As always it was really enjoyable.
The contest was spread over two days.
Ludo Philippaerts was present as well. He had only brought 2 horses, the other riders had 3. Ludo had chosen to ride his 2 horses in the race on Saturday morning. After he had finished, he went to get changed. So no more white trousers and riding boots, just a pair of jeans and sports shoes.
The other Belgian riders had to compete in the evening and Ludo came to see them.
Christophe Vanderhasselt performed very well and almost won the show jumping event.
After the competition a French lady came to take a picture of Christophe, who was very pleased with the interest. After having taken the picture, she asked him who he was.
She had never heard of "Vanderhasselt" before.
We were very proud to have Ludo Philippaerts with us and introduced her to the pride of the Belgian show jumping world.
In our best French we explained that Ludo is a fantastic rider, who had already competed at several Olympics.
She examined him from head to foot and decided that it was impossible that he was a sportsman. Even when we pointed at his sports shoes, she did not believe us. We must admit the shoes looked pretty new and apparently had not been used very much.
You should have seen the look on Ludo’s face. He was really flabbergasted, but at the same time he was determined to go for it. And that is one of Ludo’s strengths.
In the Caen Grand Prix he indeed performed very well with Cassini's Jac, but in the jump-off it just didn’t work out.
But at the world cup event in Mechelen Ludo showed the audience that he is back.
If only the French lady knew… We would like to see the look on her face!
Then she would know that Ludo is a sportsman indeed!
So far for our discussion about the show jumping Mechelen.
We are very pleased with the first appearance of our rider Patrik Spits with Withney. Taking into account that it was the first time they entered in a world cup challenge, things went very well. Now it is time to prepare ourselves for the outdoor season and we believe 2009 might become a really successful year!
One last important piece of advice for all sportsmen and sportswomen: believe in yourself and in your horse, but systematically build up your performance. Ludo has taken the necessary time to bring Winningmood to the current level. The French audience will soon remember Ludo Philippaerts.
We wish all of you lots of success in 2009: young and old, Belgian, Joe Clee who is celebrating his birthday, Harry Smolders, and all other cordial foreigners, both amateurs and professionals!
Click on the following link to see all results of the show jumping Mechelen.
