Julia Krajewski and Uelzener’s Nickel are back-to-back German national champions after topping the Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy results.
Julia and Bernd Heicke’s 12-year-old gelding added .8 of a time-penalty to their 26.9 two-phase score, to complete on 27.7.
“He jumped mega, and I couldn’t have done anything better this week,” said Julia, who has put herself in a brilliant position for selection for the World Championships in Aachen later this summer.
“He is the most genuine horse I’ve ever had. He just never thinks of doing something other than what’s in front of him. He loves Luhmühlen and he loves the crowd.
“I think it’s exactly what we needed to get him hyped up, and hopefully prepped for bigger things this summer.”
The showjumping track tested combinations right to the end, producing only seven clear rounds inside the time from 40 starters. One of those was from Julia and her other ride, Michael Sperl’s 12-year-old Tullabeg Platinum, who finished second on a score of 34.4.
“I knew I could have a pole or two and had some time [spare] with Nickel, but obviously you want your horse to jump clear,” said Julia.
“I had a very good round with Tullabeg and that gave me quite a lot of confidence.”
Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Bodil Ipsen’s 14-year-old Carlitos Quidditch K rounded off an all-German podium after jumping clear with .8 of a time-penalty, finishing just behind Julia and Tullabeg on 34.6. They too will be vying for a spot in Aachen this summer.
Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy results: the top six
Switzerland’s Nadja Minder and Top Job’s Jalisco, owned by Peter Attinger and Martin Zak, enjoyed an incredible climb from 32nd after the dressage to finish fourth. They were the quickest cross-country round yesterday, where no one made the optimum time, to add .4 of a time-penalty to their 35.1 dressage. Today that same speed and precision earned them a clear showjumping round.
Belgium’s Lara De Liederkerke-Meier and her home-bred Kiarado d’Arville had a frustrating pole and 1.6 time-faults to drop them from overnight third to fifth.
Eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy and 17-year-old Vassily De Lassos were another big climber, rising from 16th after dressage to finish sixth. The reliable pair showjumped clear inside the time to finish on 37.5, having added just 4.8 cross-country time-faults to their dressage score.
Ahead of the weekend Andrew confirmed to H&H that he came to Luhmühlen Horse Trials with his eyes on a team spot at the World Championships. If selected, it will be their fourth championships together
“With him being healthy and me being healthy, if he’s feeling well and got the performances, then that’s something we want to do. Vassily is a horse that just absolutely loves competition,” said Andrew.
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