Nicola Philippaerts is a Belgian show jumping rider and part of one of the sport's most decorated families. Born in Genk in 1993, he is the son of four-time Olympian Ludo Philippaerts and twin brother of fellow Kentucky ambassador Olivier Philippaerts — riding, quite literally, runs in the blood.

Nicola's talent showed early: in 2010 he won team gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, and by 2012 he'd already claimed the Longines Grand Prix at Falsterbo. He went on to represent Belgium at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and helped Belgium win team gold at the 2019 FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg aboard H&M Harley v/d Bisschop.

In May 2026, Nicola claimed his second Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix win, taking the title in Shanghai aboard Katanga v/h Dingeshof, his long-time partner of seven years. Riding week in, week out on the international circuit, Nicola has built a reputation as one of the most consistent forces in top-level show jumping — regularly finishing inside the top five at the world's biggest Grand Prix classes.