Washington, D.C. - Prior to the Puissance Friday night, a $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final was held in a faults converted format with 22 entries and a victory for Olivier Philippaerts (21) of Belgium riding Franz Lens's 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Carlito C (by Kannan). The pair was one of five entries to clear the course without fault and finished with a time of 54.79 seconds.

Beezie Madden (USA) and Coral Reef Via Volo also jumped clear and finished second in 55.68 seconds. Daniel Bluman had the fastest time of 54.15 seconds, but four faults were added to place third in 58.15 seconds. Reed Kessler (USA) and Kessler Show Stables LLC's Ligist also had one rail down, adding four seconds to their time, to place fourth in 59.24 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) and Moondoggie were clear in 59.49 seconds to earn the fifth place prize.

Philippaerts started showing Carlito C in June after his brother, Nicola, showed the horse for several months. With the new partnership, he has had a great season with several top finishes competing throughout Europe and Canada, and looks forward to continued success. “He is a very particular horse and he is a very big horse, and in the beginning I thought in this ring it would be quite hard for him. It's a big horse in a small ring, but in the end, he did really well,” Philippaerts stated. “He has been great the whole year, so if he keeps continuing, then hopefully we can keep it up for awhile.”

Detailing his plan for the night's course, Philippaerts noted, “I was looking a bit and walking the course, and I didn't really know what to expect since it's the first indoor show for him. I didn't really know how he was going to react, but he did very well. I made my plan and it worked out and I was quick enough.”

“I'm here for three shows: Washington, Kentucky, and Toronto. He's a very quick horse, and he has won a lot of classes, so I thought maybe I would take him,” Philippaerts said of the decision to bring the horse abroad. “It looks like I made the right decision and hopefully I'll do well the other two weeks as well.”

This is Philippaerts' third year competing at WIHS and he has enjoyed the fantastic crowd and great event. “I think first of all, it's a great show. I really like coming to these three shows, and also for the World Cup points,” he remarked. “It counts in Europe as well, but that's what we are here for. They do a very good job here in Washington to make the show. It's a very small place for the horses, but they make it fit. I'm very happy they keep organizing this show.”

“Tonight was very good,” he continued. “It was more people than I expected to come. They really were motivating the riders to go quicker, and it's very nice. I'm very happy to ride for such a crowd.”