Dramatic show jumping at Luhmühlen

Andrew Nicholson was the only New Zealander to finish at Luhmuhlen, ending up in 19th place.

Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot  (Image: Libby Law)

After a very dramatic final day at Luhmühlen which saw two of the New Zealanders withdraw before the final trot-up, rails going in all directions, and time faults being incurred, it was Germany’s Julia Krajewski who took the win with Samurai du Thot.

Julia finished on 41.10 penalties with British rider Nicola Wilson and Bulana only 0.6 faults behind for second. Leaders after the first two phases, Bettina Hoy (GER) and Designer ended up third (43.00), after a rail and three time faults.

Nicola Wilson and Bulana (Image: Libby Law)

It was a thriller right to the very end. The first four places after yesterday’s cross-country were less than a rail apart, which really put the pressure on the leading riders. Nicola Wilson held her nerve and added only three show jumping time faults to her cross-country result. Julia Krajewski had a rail but stayed within the time, which put her just in front of Nicola. Bettina Hoy, who was in the lead before the final phase, lost her advantage when she added three time faults to a rail down, which put her in third.

Julia Krajewski rides Samourai du Thot to take the Title during the Showjumping for the CCI4* – Presented by DHL, at the 2017 Luhmühlen International Horse Trial. Sunday 18 June. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

New Zealanders Caroline Powell and Tim Rusbridge withdrew their horses before the final trot-up. Caroline’s event certainly didn’t go as she hoped, with her other horse, Spice Sensation retiring on cross-country.

It was therefore up to Andrew Nicholson to fly the flag on Teseo and he added 13 show jumping faults to his score, to finish 19th overall.

Andrew Nicholson and Teseo (Image: Libby Law)

Australian Shane Rose produced one of the four clear show jumping rounds on Virgil to finish on his dressage score of 48.7 and move up to seventh; a great effort. Katja Weimann added seven show jumping to drop down to 17th.

A delighted Julia Krajewski says: “I love coming to Luhmühlen; winning here makes me incredibly happy! We had a super start with a fantastic dressage. In cross-country, Sam proved that even on long courses he can easily gallop inside the time, and the show jumping was out of this world! He is only tiny, so he needs a bit more speed to jump those big fences, but his canter is very variable, so he never struggles with fixed distances. I am so so proud of this little horse, he really out-did himself this weekend!”

Nicola Wilson is delighted with her little mare, Bulana, not only for coming second, but because she has improved so much over the past couple of years. “She has grown up and progressed so nicely that we now have a very strong partnership going. She used to be so feisty and fizzy even at home, but now she is totally relaxed. She seems much more settled in all three phases.”

Bettina Hoy, who won the CIC*** with Seigneur Medicott (see below) and only just missed out on the four-star win, is still more than happy with the way things went. “The fault and the misjudged timing were entirely my fault. I disrupted Designer’s rhythm, which cost us the win. But we had an amazing weekend, with three brilliant phases. I could not have asked for more!”  Welling up slightly, Bettina said how grateful she is to have a horse like Designer, and that no money in the world could give her this feeling.

Bettina Hoy and Designer 10 (Image: Libby Law)

CIC3*

Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott held their nerve and show jumped clear to finish on their phenomenal dressage score of 26.30.

Michael Jung with Star Connection (35.60) and Sandra Auffarth with Opgun Louvo (36.20) were second and third. Ingrid Klimke had a rail on Horseware Hale Bob OLD to finish fourth and 13 faults on Weisse Dune, who was ninth.

Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott (Image: Libby Law)

Bettina’s low score meant she had a little breathing space over Michael Jung, and as she cleared the second to last fence, she knew she’d done it, but says, “Although I knew not much could go wrong then, my actual thought was to finish clear within the time.“

After a spectacular weekend, Bettina didn’t only win the CIC*** Meßmer Trophy but also the German Championship title. “This horse is simply amazing! He has won four international events in a row now. I am so happy!“ She had planned originally to ride ‘Mickey’ in the CCI**** but after speaking to the owner, decided to take him round the three-star instead, a decision that definitely paid off.

Michael Jung may have another star in Star Connection, a Luhmühlen-bred horse, who came second after a solid performance. “Star Connection is a fabulous horse and I am so glad that he is back after being injured before. He made a terrific impression this weekend,“ Michael says.

Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott (Image: Libby Law)

Around 30,000 people attended the event over the weekend.

Previous articleBettina’s Luhmühlen so far
Next articleLaminitis: the simple way to prevent what can’t be cured.