Backstage with Olivier & Thibault Philippaerts
Time for a status quo with the Philippaerts brothers. At Kingsland Oslo Horse Show, we went backstage with Olivier and his younger brother Thibault (17) – a rising star who just recently started competing on the same level as his older twin brothers.
By: the Editors
Published: October 26th, 2019
The rain is pouring over Telenor Arena and a very grey and gloomy Oslo. After a quick meet and greet duty with Kingsland, we meet Olivier. He gives us a big smile and a hug, asking if he should tell Thibault to meet us now as well. A few minutes later we make our way to the stables, a cosy village of top horses on a parking lot outside the arena. The brothers lead the way walking identically, wrapped in down jackets signed “H&M We Love Horses” and “Philippaerts – We Live Horses”.
High school and family inheritance
Like his twin brothers, Thibault was born into the sport. Even though he made a short turn towards playing soccer, he always came back to the horses and showjumping. At the moment he is trying to finish high school at the same time as debuting at 5* level, competing against his older brothers. He brought his homework to the World Cup premiere in Oslo, but will have to finish it on the flight back home late Sunday.
“Hopefully I will do the same as my brothers after finishing school. I have never been pushed into the sport, but at the same I’m born into it.”
All work, but
a little play
Ever since they were kids this somewhat unusual lifestyle has been a big part of the Philippaerts brothers’ lives. Fortunately, they enjoy travelling together and support each other along the way.
– Thibault and I haven’t travelled that much together to shows, but now as he enters the 5* classes it’s natural to go together when our schedules match. Nicola and I have more experience competing at this level and I think it’s great to pass some of that knowledge on to Thibault now, Olivier says.
Nicola is currently at home healing from an injury and training for the indoor season. On the question about socialising at horse shows, Olivier takes the lead, telling us about how the same group of riders normally go to the same shows and how it’s nice to have a dinner and a beer during the weekend. But never too many.
– You get to know one another travelling to the same shows all over the world. We always try to find time for a dinner in each city, but at the same time we always have to be ready and sharp the next morning. But of course, we share a beer, he laughs.
Top Horses and show grooms
Olivier has three horses with him to the first leg of the World Cup in Oslo: The queen herself, H&M Legend of Love, for the World Cup course, H&M Cue Channa for the other big classes and a younger one to get experience over some smaller fences.
As often as possible, their father Ludo comes to the shows as a trainer for Team Philippaerts – and of course to support his sons. Both brothers emphasize how the Philippaerts enterprice is so much more than them as riders.
– Now I have three horses here. My show groom Jacqueline makes sure they travel safe and that they get the best care during the shows. But I also have 9-10 horses back home. It’s important to remember how huge part they take in my career, Olivier says handing H&M Legend of Love a snack. She curiously appears from her afternoon snooze hearing his voice and it’s obvious how well they both know and like each other.
Thibault’s gelding Lucky Luke is having a “siesta”, as Thinault calls it peeking into his box. Cassi Lano is getting his braids done for the class later, looking all sorts of calm being taken care of by Thibault’s show groom. “More like a personal assistant”, she jokes before hiding from the camera.
It’s quiet backstage, except rain drumming on the stable roofs. A good environment for the horses, the riders and the whole team. It’s almost time to enter the spotlight in the arena to once again try to take home another victory for the Philippaerts family. And for the record, there is a fourth Philippaerts brother making his mark on the world of showjumping: 16 year old Anthony Philippaerts. Watch out.
