H&M Legend of Love in the Spotlight!

Olivier Philippaerts and his horse H&M Legend of Love have been competing together for nearly ten years. We met up with Philippaerts in the stables at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai to learn more about this incredible horse. 

The grey mare first came to Philippaerts as a seven year old and they began competing together on the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2015. The two have been building their bond and collecting their fair share of successes along the way, with a smattering of podium finishes over the years. Their first podium came in 2018 with a second place finish in Paris. The pair also earned second place in Valkenswaard in 2019. Most recently, the pair finished third in Monaco in 2021. Philippaerts describes the 18 year old grey mare as his horse of a lifetime.

Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love were in Shanghai as the LGCT celebrated its return to China. This competition is a special one for them, as the two competed in their first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix nine years ago in 2015 in Shanghai. Philippaerts remarked that it is great to return to Shanghai with H&M Legend of Love. The LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai marked the 28^th Longines Global Champions Grand Prix for this special horse.

He attributes their success to their strong relationship. Philippaerts said, “In the end, when you are in the ring and you jump the first jump, she wants to do everything for you.” Philippaerts explained that H&M Legend of Love is a particular character, but that character is exactly why he is so attached to her. The two share a unique bond that can only be forged when a horse and rider have been together as long as these two.

While the pair has enjoyed their share of podium finishes, there is one goal that Philippaerts still hopes to secure: a LGCT Grand Prix win together with H&M Legend of Love. Join us this season as we watch this incredible pair vie for the top spot in the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour.