Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Uelzener’s Nickel have maintained their lead following the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy cross-country at Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials.
The defending champions are on track to retain their crown having jumped clear around course-designer Mike Etherington Smith’s track, adding just four time-penalties to their superb 22.9 dressage. Not only does this class decide the German national eventing champion, but team selectors have their eyes peeled ahead of the World Championships in August.
Julia described Bernd Heicke’s 12-year-old gelding’s round as “faultless”.
“He’s really pro at this level,” said Julia. “I was very happy that I didn’t take too many pulls and could really just ride him very fluent, which is how he can be quick.
“He doesn’t have the highest speed, but he’s really always on the lines. He’s just a very genuine horse.”
The withdrawal of Isabel English and Cil Dara Dallas before the Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4-S cross-country left 50 starters. Of these, 37 jumped clear but no one made the 6min 40sec optimum time, on what was a hot and humid day in Germany. Switzerland’s Nadja Minder and Top Job’s Jalisco were the closest, coming home a second over to incur .4 of a time-penalty – putting them into overnight fifth on 35.5.
Julia’s other ride Tullabeg Platinum had 7.2 time-penalties, which dropped them from third to overnight fourth.
“The time was very tight, it always is at Luhmühlen, so it didn’t surprise me that no one made it inside,” said Julia.
“Tullabeg is a bit less experienced at this level, and has a massive jump and stride, so needed a bit more adjustment and preparation here and there. He answered everything perfectly and felt very comfortable in the atmosphere. Both horses were phenomenal.”
“I’m aiming for Aachen”
Belgium’s Lara De Liederkerke-Meier stopped the clocked at 6min 50sec for four time-penalties on her home-bred Kiarado d’Arville. This boosted them from fourth after the dressage to second ahead of tomorrow’s final phase.
“I’m really happy. He’s a 10-year-old and although he’s done a lot already, he’s never come to an event like here at Luhmühlen,” said Lara.
“I’m aiming him for Aachen, if everything stays the way I hope. That’s why we came here, I think it’s a little bit similar. It’s a twisty track and it’s a bit like we’re going to have I think, so everything is in preparation for the next couple of weeks.”
Cross-country pathfinders Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Bodil Ipsen’s 14-year-old Carlitos Quidditch K jumped clear with 6.8 time-faults. This dropped them from second after the dressage to provisional third ahead of the showjumping.
New Zealand’s Samantha Lissington had mixed fortunes across country. She opted to retire her first ride Delarado (owned by Rachel Bessell, Kate Maitland, the McGrigor family and Samantha), who had been lying in overnight sixth, after a miscommunication at fence 14a.
“I was just missing a little bit of match practice with Delarado and came a little too keen out of the start box so unfortunately she wasn’t quite with me,” Samantha told H&H.
“She’s been a little bit light on work the last month or so and probably missed a little bit of training, and I guess it showed today. We’ve got a little bit of homework to do before she comes out again.”
Later in the afternoon Samantha jumped a super clear with Lucas Stone, owned by Fiona Edwards, Neil Robertson, David Taylor, the Dubowskis and Samantha. The pair incurred 8.8 time-faults to move down the leaderboard from sixth after the dressage to 11th.
“Luca was great, there’s a fair amount of pressure in these last couple of events before the selection for the World Championships, so I think I probably just had that in the back of my mind,” said Samantha.
“It was a lot of pressure to cope with, but I’m really pleased to get the job done and come home safe, and hopefully post a good score on the board tomorrow.”
Eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy on the Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4*-S cross-country
Australia’s Andrew Hoy is another rider bidding for World Championship selection, with the experienced double Olympic medallist Vassily De Lassos, owned by Dreams Come True V LLC-owned. They stopped the clock on 6min 52sec for 4.8 time-faults, having jumped all the obstacles clear.
Andrew told H&H it was “a very good course”.
“Mike Etherington-Smith’s courses always walk beautifully, and then when you come to ride them, they always ride a fraction stronger than they walk,” he said.
“It was a proper four-star course, no one got the time but if you rode well, the fences jumped well, so that was really good.”
Andrew gave full credit to 17-year-old Vassily De Lassos.
“He’s just an exceptional horse in all areas,” said Andrew. “I’m very privileged to ride a horse like that, who I’ve got a 10-year relationship with.”
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