Ask Lindsay Douglass to describe her horse Butterfly Tibri Z, and she is more apt to show than to tell.
“You have to meet her,” she’ll say.
Never has a truer statement been spoken. While the 13-year-old Zangersheide mare may have a nickname reminiscent of an adorable small palomino pony – “Butters” – she has a personality larger than life.
The dynamic duo, who skyrocketed into the spotlight with their performances at the four- and five-star level this year, has a pretty special relationship. Lindsay is often her own groom, and at the Washington International Horse Show, she could be found plaiting Butters’ mane a few hours before jumping in her first indoor World Cup qualifier. When she stepped off her ladder, Butters rested her head on her owner’s shoulder, and her lips quivered in delight while Lindsay scratched her withers. Earlier in the day, they could be found walking the streets of downtown D.C., where Butters eagerly introduced herself to the young children participating in the morning’s “Kid’s Day” event.
America’s new ‘golden girl,’ Adrienne Sternlicht, has two feet firmly rooted on the ground – a natural groundedness that is increasingly impressive when you look at the lightning-fast trajectory of her professional riding career. There’s something else there too; an excitement that seems to radiate off the 25-year-old rider.
The up-and-comer, a member of the NetJets U.S. Show Jumping Team at this year's World Equestrian Game, is a perfect lesson in juxtaposition – focused and collected while simultaneously wearing her heart on her sleeve. She famously wept tears of joy at the official World Equestrian Games press conference in Tryon, N.C., following Team USA’s thrilling gold medal victory. She candidly shares her experiences and feelings in a way that is exceptionally refreshing in the world of sports. Digging deeper, she seems quite careful to not let all of this newfound stardom go to her head. She’s here to make her mark as an athlete, but she hasn’t forgotten to enjoy the ride – especially when that ride in on board her horse of a lifetime, a gold medal hanging around her neck.
Avid show jumping fans know that there are some horses on the startlist you just can’t wait to watch in the ring. With his bombastic personality, mid-course bucks and double-barreled kicks – not to mention flawless technique and otherworldly scope and good looks – Emerald van’t Ruytershof, ridden by World no. 1 Harrie Smolders, is just such a horse. Thankfully for Emerald devotees everywhere, there’s now even more to love about the Belgian stallion: once again this season on the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), his 10-year-old son, Igor, is competing alongside his sire with Belgium’s Jos Verlooy. In both looks and technique, the resemblance is hard to miss.
For 25-year-old Belgian rider Nicola Philippaerts, show jumping is in his DNA. His father, Ludo Philippaerts, enjoyed a long, illustrious career competing at four Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games. While Ludo no longer rides competitively, his four sons – twin brothers Nicola and Olivier, Anthony, and Thibault – carry on the family name in the jumping arena.
Nicola dabbled in more traditional kid sports, but by age 6 he was committed to riding. He had a wildly successful junior career and now represents the family business on the world stage. This year, he rode H&M Chilli Willi to 22nd place individually at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C. and earlier this month helped propel Belgium to the top