Ludo Philippaerts - Ludo & Darco

• Ludo Philippaerts
• How it started
• Ludo & Darco
• Period 1994-1999
• Period 2000-2003
• Period 2004-2006
• Results 2007
• Results 2008
• Results 2009
• Recent results
• Show Schedule
• Show Jumpers
• Olivier & Nicola
• Guestbook

• Stud farm Dorperheide
• Stallions
• Stud Conditions

• Horse Trading
• Portfolio
• Purchase Form

• Contact
• Links

Ludo & Darco: from 1988 till 1993

The stallion Darco, owned by Martinus Paesen in Peer, is without any doubt the horse that brought Ludo into the picture. Even now, with the offspring of this famous stallion. In 1988, Ludo won the Grand Prix of Chaudfontaine and Dunkerque respectively on Colonel and Dorothée ( Flugel x Codex ), but finished third in the Rotterdam GP on Darco.

Ludo started the winter season participating in the international events of Maastricht and Amsterdam, and after ending 5th in the World Cup in Brussels, there was no better ending of this year than a victory in the World Cup in Olympia, London.

 

This was the start of a real Darco-mania in his home province Limburg, only becoming stronger after another World Cup victory in 's Hertogenbosch. Dutch stock exchange company Optiebeurs became interested, and made a sponsoring deal with Ludo. He became a member of a very select team of colleagues-riders, most of them still famous and competing.

Ludo became a national and international celebrity, made his first trip overseas to the World Cup finals in Tampa, Florida, was competing at the European Championships, and became also a valuable member of the Belgian Nation's Cup Team. Fans were organizing bus tours to accompany Ludo on his foreign trips.
Also in this year Ludo gained a Belgian National Title on Vanna ( Echo de Thurin x Codex ), the first of a still unfinished list.

 

In 1990, Fidelgo ( Voltigeur x Codex ) started to help Ludo out with medal collecting, but this year's highlights were unquestionably a 4th placing in the Aachen GP and a 6th place in the World Championships in Stockholm, both rankings on Darco.

 

In 1991, Ludo became Belgian Champion again on Adora ( s. Pion ) and had another World Cup victory on Fidelgo in Mechelen.

 

1992 became the year of the Olympics in Barcelona, resulting in an honourable 7th placing.

 

Darco's final famous result was a 3th rank in the Rotterdam GP in 1993, and at the Christmas show in Mechelen in the same year, Ludo and Darco said goodbye to each other.
Darco moved to the stables of Stud farm Lindehof located in Peer with his owner Tinus Paesen. He was never started in competition again, but solely used as a service stallion.
Darco passed away in 2006 but lives on through his great number of excellent offspring.