Rising star dethrones defending champion with lightning quick jump-off aboard eight-year-old Rolex Ter Leydonck
Nicola Philippaerts kicked off Jumping Mechelen in spectacular fashion on Thursday evening, capturing the Belgian Indoor Championship title with a blistering jump-off performance that left even reigning champion Jeroen Appelen in his wake.
The 31-year-old from Genk guided the eight-year-old BWP gelding Rolex Ter Leydonck to victory in front of a roaring home crowd, delivering the kind of performance that sets the tone for an entire week of competition.
Title fight goes down to the wire
From a starting field of 40 combinations, fifteen advanced to the 1.45m jump-off, and thirteen of those fifteen horses were Belgian-bred, underscoring the strength of the domestic breeding programme.
Appelen, who claimed the 2024 title, immediately laid down the gauntlet with a sharp opening time. The defending champion appeared poised to retain his crown until Leonie Peeters edged him by a razor-thin 0.02 seconds, igniting what would become a thrilling battle.
Several more fault-free rounds followed before Philippaerts entered the arena aboard Rolex Ter Leydonck, a gelding by Bamako de Muze making his mark at the highest level despite his relative youth.
The combination produced a devastatingly good performance. Philippaerts found every stride, turned tight, and let his mount’s natural gallop carry them home at a pace nobody could match.
Thomas in with a chance
As the final rider in the ring, Gilles Thomas had one last chance to spoil the party for his Red Musketeers teammate. Aboard the BWP mare Qiara de Kalvarie, Thomas went for broke, and nearly pulled it off.
The European team champion and LGCT winner delivered a flawless, aggressive round, but when the clock stopped, he was just shy of Philippaerts’ winning time, settling for second place.
Peeters completed the podium in third with Tinkoucha Hero Z, her early fast time standing up through much of the competition.
Natural speed
Speaking after his victory, Philippaerts credited his horse’s extraordinary pace for the winning margin.
“Rolex Ter Leydonck has tremendous natural gallop,” the Belgian explained. “That allowed me to ride seven strides to the blue oxer quite comfortably. I was actually a bit surprised by how fast he was.”
Despite being only eight years old, the gelding showed the composure and class of a far more experienced performer. “Today he really showed what he’s capable of,” Philippaerts continued. “He learns very quickly. I think he proved today that he’s a horse for the future. I definitely see him as a very interesting prospect heading into next year.”
Home glory
For Philippaerts, claiming the Belgian Indoor Championship at Jumping Mechelen carried special significance beyond the title itself.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to compete here and then win a class on top of that,” he said. “Jumping Mechelen is truly a highlight of the year for us. The atmosphere and the home crowd make it extra special. When you can win here, your week gets off to a great start.”
The victory was particularly sweet given the venue’s importance to Belgian showjumping. The Nekkerhal in Mechelen has served as the traditional year-end gathering for the country’s equestrian community for four decades, and winning the national indoor title on opening night represents one of the sport’s most coveted honours in Belgium.
Twin rivalry
The win adds another chapter to the remarkable Philippaerts family story. Nicola’s twin brother, Olivier, also competed in the championship, while younger brother, Thibault, is scheduled to ride in the Grand Prix later in the week.
Their father, Ludo, remains one of Belgium’s most respected figures in showjumping, and the family’s presence at Mechelen spans generations, from competitors to coaches to course designers.
For Nicola, this latest triumph continues a strong 2025 campaign that has seen him establish himself as a mainstay of the Belgian team alongside Gilles Thomas, Pieter Devos, and Thibeau Spits.
Week ahead
The Belgian Indoor Championship opened a packed five-day schedule at Jumping Mechelen that includes World Cup qualifiers in jumping, dressage, and driving.
Philippaerts will return to action in additional 5-star classes throughout the weekend, though he won’t compete in Monday’s World Cup Jumping Qualifier. That prestigious event, which closes the show on December 30, will feature Thomas leading the Belgian charge alongside Thibeau Spits and other top national riders.
For now, though, Philippaerts can savour opening night glory and the knowledge that Rolex Ter Leydonck announced himself as a serious player at the highest level.
As the champion noted with satisfaction, winning early sets the right tone: “Starting Jumping Mechelen with a victory on day one? That really gives you motivation for the rest of the week.”
Belgian Indoor Championship results:
- Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) – Rolex Ter Leydonck
- Gilles Thomas (BEL) – Qiara de Kalvarie
- Leonie Peeters (BEL) – Tinkoucha Hero Z
Jumping Mechelen continues through December 30. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier takes place Monday afternoon, with the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix on Sunday and Freestyle on Monday.