Nicola Philippaerts Wins $63,000 Lugano Grand Prix Qualifier in Ocala

Nicola Philippaerts from Belgium secured victory in the $63,000 Lugano Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN during the opening day of the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, on March 19th.

This event is part of the Longines League of Nations™ series, which includes stops in Abu Dhabi, Rotterdam, and Gassin, before culminating in Barcelona in October 2025. A total of 44 riders participated in the single-round qualifier, with Philippaerts finishing first aboard Derby de Riverland, a 12-year-old Selle Français gelding, achieving a time of 64.08 seconds. Kent Farrington from the U.S., currently ranked second in the world, placed second with a time of 66.63 seconds riding Myla. Ireland's Daniel Coyle rounded out the top three with a time of 66.99 seconds on Quintin. Philippaerts returns to Ocala as part of the Belgian team for the Longines League of Nations™.

The event continues on March 20, featuring the $350,000 Lugano Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN at 7:30 PM EST! Watch the sport’s biggest names battle through two intense rounds of team competition for those all-important series points in the $770,000 Longines League of Nations™ Team Competition at 3:55 PM EST.

Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography