Nicola Philippaerts Captures Second Consecutive Adequan WEF Challenge Cup

Nicola Philippaerts & Katanga v/h Dingeshof. Photo © Sportfot

Nicola Philippaerts is making his mark on the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a second consecutive victory in Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup action, winning the $116,100 Round 5 offering during Week 5 at Wellington International. The Belgian win this week came aboard Katanga v/h Dingeshof, a mount he pulled out for international action for the first time this season.

“This win feels fantastic,” Philippaerts said following his victory lap aboard his 2022 World Championship partner. “Katanga had a few weeks off; her last show was at Mechelen for the World Cup, so I gave her a bit of a break. She always likes it here and she jumped great today. She feels in really great shape, and I think she’s happy to be back in Florida.”

Philippaerts navigated a challenging first-round track set by 2024 Paris Olympic Games course builder Gregory Bodo (FRA) and was joined for jump-off action by 10 other pairs. With a later draw, the Belgian returned last in the jump-off and was put in a similar position as the week prior when he won the same class aboard Derby de Riverland.

Replica and Geoffrey Hesslink Score Almased 3’ Green Hunter Championship

Geoffrey Hesslink’s momentum is continuing to increase as World Championship Hunter Rider Week (WCHR) creeps closer and closer. Together with Replica, Hesslink took championship honors on Thursday of WEF 5 in the Almased 3’ Green Hunter division to add to the rider’s growing list of tricolors in Wellington.

“This horse is pretty new to me,” Hesslink said of Kristen Baran’s 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding. “I just started riding him about a month ago. He had a lot of success previously with Denis Sweeney and he’s been nothing but great since I’ve gotten the ride. I’m thrilled with him.”

Taking the win in both over-fences classes Thursday solidified the top spot for the pair, earning scores in the high 80s in a competitive group of 24 entries. Though it’s been a slower rise through the levels, Hesslink feels his work is paying off with taking it slowly.

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