After Adelaide, Kentucky, and Badminton comes our hump-day CCI5* — Longines Luhmühlen! Much like our time ’round Kentucky this spring, we are seeing a few of our biggest names tackling the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy this weekend (especially amongst our British friends) rather than the 5*, hoping to potentially raise their hands from within the pools of their recently-released Olympic long- and short-lists. However, this doesn’t mean our 5* pool of 42 rider combinations isn’t just as varied and exciting! We have a huge percentage of first-timers this year, so chances are in favor of it potentially being anyone’s game.
So turn on Horse & Country and keep our feed open — Tilly is on the ground, and she our remote crew will be bringing you all the action step-by-step. You won’t want to miss it!
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Longines Luhmühlen: Website | Entries | Timetable | Live Scores/Draw Order | Tickets | Livestream | EN’s Coverage | EN’s Ultimate Guide
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Want to jump straight to your favorite horse and rider? Click the links below to jump to their section (the combinations are listed below in alphabetical order by country and last name; entries categorized by last name):
Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville (BEL)
Sara Bech Strøm and Dicte Aldrup (DEN)
Arthur Duffort and Toronto d’Aurois (FRA)
Cedric Lyard and Unum de’Or (FRA)
Julie Simonet and Sursumcord’Or (FRA)
Laura Birley and Bob Cotton Bandit (GBR)
Katie Bleloch and Goldlook (GBR)
Alexander Bragg and Ardeo Premier (GBR)
Rosalind Canter and Izilot DHI (GBR)
Alice Casburn and Topspin (GBR)
Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Heraldik Girl (GBR)
Laura Collett and Hester (GBR)
David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed (GBR)
Caroline Harris and D. Day (GBR)
Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ (GBR)
Isabella Innes Ker and Highway (GBR)
Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali (GBR)
Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver de Haar (GBR)
Lauren Lillywhite and Hacien (GBR)
Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality (GBR)
Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser (GBR)
Will Rawlin and The Partner (GBR)
Storm Straker and Fever Pitch (GBR)
Mollie Summerland and Flow (GBR)
Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo (GER)
Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia (GER)
Susannah Berry and Kilcandra Capitol (IRL)
Susannah Berry and Monbeg by Design (IRL)
Ian Cassells and Master Point (IRL)
Robbie Kearns and Ballyvillane Obos (IRL)
Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes (IRL)
Jennifer Kuehnle and Sammy Davis Junior (IRL)
Patrick Whelan and Ikoon Lan (IRL)
Pietro Sandei and Rubis de Prere (ITA)
Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG (LTU)
Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig (NZL)
Muzi Pottinger and Good Timing (NZL)
Tim Price and Viscount Viktor (NZL)
Christoffer Forsberg and Con Classic 2 (SWE)
Christoffer Forsberg and Hippo’s Sapporo (SWE)
Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna (USA)
Emily Hamel and Corvett (USA)
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Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo (GER) | Groom: Sarah Lange
Nico is one of Luhmühlen’s most local competitors – and one of its most anticipated 5* debutants, too. That’s because this start is so, so achingly long coming: Nico and Timmo were on the list for last year’s class, but withdrew from the hold box at the first horse inspection. They quickly regrouped and headed to Aachen instead, jumping a classy clear, and then were selected for the European Championships, though they were eliminated for a horse fall on cross-country. They finished the year with a top-twenty finish at Boekelo CCI4*-L and started 2024 with all eyes on Kentucky – but in their prep run at Strzegom CCI4*-S, Timmo stepped on one of the clinches in his shoe and his all-important final preparation was disrupted.
So now, we hope, it’ll be third time lucky for this German talent and his game, exciting Holsteiner. They know this venue and the 4* side of this course so well, and they’ve looked excellent in the lead-up, with very-low-30s scores, quick clears across the country, and one-rail rounds. Simply starting, and then completing, will feel a huge relief for Nico – but he and Timmo are capable of much more this week.
Sara Bech Strøm and Dicte Aldrup (DEN) | Groom: Jan Brauer
It’ll be a 5* debut for 23-year-old Sara and Dicte, who have a remarkable relationship: both horse and rider have come up through the levels together, and neither has ever competed with another partner. Along the way, they’ve represented Denmark in two Junior European Championships and one Young Rider European Championships, finishing in the top 20 twice, and they’ve tackled 34 FEI competitions.
They’re generally consistent at CCI4*-S, with scores in the mid-30s, steady clears across the country, and a tendency to show jump clear, but CCI4*-L has been something of an educational level for them, with a few more wobbles along the way. But they’ve absolutely learned from those experiences, which they proved last year at Millstreet CCI4*-L in June and Boekelo’s CCIO4*-L in October, where they delivered their long-awaited clears. Good runs at Burnham Market and Bicton CCI4*-S will set them up well for their debut this week, as will their ongoing coaching from William Fox-Pitt, with whom they’re based.
Susannah Berry and Kilcandra Capitol (IRL) | Groom: Crisy Salmon
Susie is looking like quite the strong contender for Luhmühlen with her two entries, Kilcandra Capitol and Monbeg by Design. Owned by TruckEast Limited and Susie, Kilcandra Capitol won the Advanced division at Little Downham, which was his last preparation before the beefy 5* at Luhmühlen. Susie has been in the irons for the entirety of his eventing career, making the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s first attempt at the 5* level a particularly special event.
And what an impressive career it has been. Kilcandra Capitol is a cross country machine, with obstacle faults at only three out of a total of nineteen career starts. There’s still work to be done to drop his dressage scores below the 30s in the Advanced levels, but having achieved a 29.7 in 2023 at Bicton Horse Trials, a sub-30 score is within the bay gelding’s reach. He may be fast in the show jumping phase, but he does tend to pull a rail or three each season, which can mean the difference between a top ten and a middle-of-the-pack finish.
If he isn’t backed off by the size of the 5* fences and keeps the rails up in the show jumping, look for this long-time pair to finish in the middle of the pack. For his first 5* attempt, I’d be willing to bet Susie isn’t going to be taking any risks, and is looking to simply cross the finish line with a happy, healthy, and still confident horse.
Susannah Berry and Monbeg by Design (IRL) | Groom: Crisy Salmon
2024 marks Susie Berry’s second go-around at Luhmühlen, as she returns with last year’s partner, Monbeg by Design. In 2023, Susie and “Arthur” landed just outside the top ten in 11th place with a score of 44.5 points. What makes this achievement even more special is that it also marked their first attempt at the 5* level. The question now becomes, can they bring that score even lower this year?
Owned by Helen Caton and the rider, Arthur has a lot in common with his fellow Irish travelmate to Luhmühlen – Kilcandra Capitol. Both horses are cross country fiends who are held back with the ball-and-chain of a mid-30s dressage score. The phrase “cross country penalty” isn’t in Arthur’s vocabulary, as the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse has managed to spend the last six years competing at the FEI level without a single refusal or run-out. He may be brave, but speed isn’t quite his forte. He regularly crosses the finish line with a small handful of time penalties. However, what he lacks in speed across the country, he makes up for in the show jumping ring with no time penalties in that phase on his FEI record.
For his second time around Luhmühlen, I’m hoping we’ll see Arthur break into a top ten slot. With only 1.6 time penalties last year, just a little more gas in the cross country phase may just get him there.
Laura Birley and Bob Cotton Bandit (GBR) | Groom: Jan Birley
When Laura Birley and her partner of nine-and-a-half years trot up in Germany this week, they will be surpassing all expectation — even those of Laura and her connections. “Bandit”, who has no recorded breeding, was not bought as an event horse, and certainly not one destined for the top level of the sport — instead, his intended career path was as a riding club horse for Laura’s mum, Jan, who will be grooming for the pair out in Germany. However, when he proved a little over enthusiastic at his first few competitive outings, Laura took on the ride to produce up the levels and eventually sell.
Bandit never stopped rising to the challenge, however, continuing to prove his worth at every level. Now, he and Laura are ready to tackle their first 5* together, providing the kind of fairytale story that make our sport so special. They may not break any records this week — Bandit is not the fastest cross-country, and his show jumping record is checkered to say the least — but he is consistent and brave, jumping clear around the notoriously-tricky Bramham two years running. Such form will certainly stand them in good stead for the challenge that lies ahead in Germany. Fingers crossed they deliver another safe and clear round, delivering the happiest of endings to an already “dream-come-true” story.
Katie Bleloch and Goldlook (GBR) | Groom: Gill Bleloch
The field out in Germany this week is littered with both 5* debutants and “amateurs” — that is to say riders who juggle another career alongside their equestrian pursuits. That term never seems to do justice to those riders who manage to pull off two careers side by side, for the dedication and work ethic that is required is certainly equal to that of the professional riders that they work to compete against. That aside, Kate Bleloch belongs to both of the aforementioned categories — both a 5* debutant and one who manages to fit in a full time career in property for Lidl, too.
Her ride in Luhmühlen, Goldlook, is also a first timer at the level; he and Katie have risen through the ranks together after James Hiatt — Katie’s brother and farrier — found him on Facebook as an unbroken four-year-old. Described by Kate as “easy to back, and a dream to produce throughout his career,” “Luke’s” form certainly reflects that. He rarely has more than a pole down in the show jumping, and his cross country results are equally as good, with only a rogue 20 penalties marring an otherwise superb international record. Their dressage tends to hover around the mid- to low-30’s, so the stage is set for them to make an impressive debut at the 5* level. Their prep so far this season would suggest so too, with 5 out of 5 jumping clears and a top-20 in the CCI4*-S at Thoresby. Ably assisted out here in Germany by her mum, Kate credits her home team for making it all possible: she has help from Sarah Stretton and Sarah Way with the riding out, whilst Lauren Hextall is tasked with washing the inevitable stains out of the grey gelding. No mean feat, given that that is the one thing that he hates!
Alexander Bragg and Ardeo Premier (GBR) | Groom: Sarah Whatley
This will be the second tilt at 5* for Ardeo Premier after his debut at the level in Pau last Autumn. Alex, fresh off the podium at Badminton, has had the ride on “Eddie” since he was a four-year-old, and thinks very highly of him. “He’s an unassuming character, who doesn’t really stand out, but [who] has always quietly ticked along and kept performing, pulling in some consistent results,” said Alex of his partner. Amongst those results are a top-10 placing in his first CCI2*-L, 4th in the Seven-Year-Old World Championships in Lion d’Angers with a double clear inside the time, and a top-20 placing in the Eight/Nine-Year-Old CCI4*-S at Blenheim.
He stepped up to CCI4*L in similar style, pulling off yet another top-20 result at Millstreet with another double clear. It would seem that consistent is Eddie’s middle name, and he’s fast too, rarely picking up more than a few time faults. His show jumping record is equally impressive, rarely lowering more than a pole.
They had an uncharacteristic 20 penalties on cross country day in Pau, so Alex will be hoping to wipe that slate clean in Germany this week. Given his prowess as a cross country rider that should not pose too much of a problem, and this coupled with the consistency that Eddie has shown thus far throughout his career — exemplified with a tidy double-clear in their recent 4*-S run at Bicton — could see them finish comfortably within the top 20.
Rosalind Canter and Izilot DHI (GBR) | Groom: Sarah Charnley
Ros Canter is Great Britain’s It Girl of the moment, coming off multiple impressive wins at Badminton, Pau, Blenheim, Blair Castle, and taking the FEI European Eventing Championships for the Brits, all in 2023. Unfortunately, her start to the 2024 season has been a little rockier, characterized by retiring during the cross country phase at Badminton aboard last year’s Pau-winning mount, Izilot DHI.
For his part, “Isaac” has as much to boast of as Ros. Three of Ros’s five wins in 2023 were aboard the 11-year-old bay gelding — owned by Alex Moody and the rider — who just started eventing five years ago at the age of six. In that short span of time, he has quickly become one of the strongest horses in Ros’ string. He regularly scores in the low 20s in the dressage phase, with an astounding 18 at Chatsworth in 2023. It’s a good thing too, as he does have the occasional obstacle penalty across the country and typically crosses the finish line with a handful of time penalties. He makes up for it in the show jumping phase with just one. single. pole. on his FEI record and pretty quick times, often running through the timers under the time allowed.
We would expect Ros and Isaac to knock it out of the park at Luhmühlen with at least a top-10 finish, making for a wonderful comeback after a false start to the season.
Alice Casburn and Topspin (GBR) | Groom: Caroline Casburn
Luhmühlen will be Alice and Topspin’s seventh 5* together, coming shortly after their early retirement on Badminton’s cross country earlier this spring. We’ve seen competitive results from this partnership, with two top-10 finishes at the 5* level previously — a fifth place finish at Burghley in 2022, and a seventh place finish at Burghley in 2023. Typically, we can expect a mid-30s dressage score from these two, and while we have seen a jump penalty here and there in both the cross country and show jumping, we have seen numerous clears that have made them top competitors in the past! Keep an eye out for them this weekend.
Ian Cassells and Master Point (IRL) | Groom: Leanne Foster
Ian Cassells has earnt himself quite the reputation for sympathetically producing horses through the ranks, and Master Point is no exception. Homebred by Bridget McGing, who still shares ownership of him along with Ian and her husband Brian, “Duke” has been with Ian since the tender age of four, progressing through the levels under his careful hand. He made his 5* debut in Pau last year, at the relatively young age of 10, pulling off a top-30 finish that belied his inexperience — but then that is of no surprise, given Ian’s aforementioned talent for producing top quality horses. Named as the leading event rider in Ireland in 2020 after taking the most wins that season, his name continues to dominate results sheets in his native country.
That top-30 placing in Pau came with 30 cross country jumping penalties and a rail down on the final day, so needless to say Ian is hoping to better that this week with two clear jumping rounds, and perhaps a sub-30 dressage mark to boot — something he believes that the horse is more than capable of. Assisted by his amazing head groom by Leanne whom he heavily praised, saying “she works so hard… I would be lost without her,” it seems safe to surmise that Ian — who also holds a degree in Agricultural Science from University College Dublin — is a man on a mission to pull off a competitive result and prove his and Duke’s worth at the very top level.
Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Heraldik Girl (GBR) | Groom: Sarah-Jane Tetlow
Kirsty’s teeny-weeny Opposition Heraldik Girl is one of several Badminton re-routers in this field, but unlike some of her fellow competitors, she didn’t actually start cross-country at the Gloucestershire fixture.
This will be the homebred mare’s third go at 5* — she debuted at Pau last year, though didn’t complete as she had a fall at the first water. This spring, however, the pair has looked on very good form again at Kronenberg’s CCI4*-S, where they finished in 20th place after a steady clear round with one of their best tests — a 32.2 — and a classy clear showjumping round. They didn’t run at Bicton CCI4*-S and rerouted instead to Millstreet for the Nations Cup CCIO4*-S, where they finished 21st and ran clear and inside the time on cross-country day.
Kirsty will be intending to develop pint-sized “Rocket’s” education with an eye on the seasons to come. We suspect that patient development will be worth it; once Rocket gets the hang of a level, she tends to be quick, canny, and on the ball, and she’s a very good showjumper to boot. On her very best form, she could be a dark horse for a top-15 finish here, but she does have a few things to prove.
Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna (USA)
Although they base in the UK for the summer, one of just two US contenders in the 5* this year are Katherine and Monbeg Senna. This will be the pair’s second crack at 5* after tackling Badminton last year, where they finished respectably mid-pack after an unfortunately-slow cross country round. Despite never being one to make the time on Saturdays, “Sid” typically provides Katherine with quite lovely tests in dressage, nearly always in the low-30s and even breaking into the 20s at Kronenberg’s 4*-S last week, where they finished fourth at the end of the weekend.
Katherine herself has been on a roll lately with her other mounts as well, also taking seventh at Kronenberg with ESI Baltic Breeze in the 3*-L and second place in the 4*-L with Sirius SB. Sid’s last break into the top five was nearly two years ago at Strzegom’s 4*-L — coincidentally also the last time he dropped a pole in show jumping, as he’s been on a clean streak since. After putting five years in at the 4* level, and providing Luhmühlen’s course is kind to them, these two have a chance of making a great run for their second 5* finish.
Laura Collett and Hester (GBR) | Groom: Tilly Hughes
Hester, too, is a Badminton re-router: she had some very nice moments while making her 5* debut there, but also some rather green ones, and Laura opted to put her hand up after the mare stopped at the ditch at the tough LeMieux Eyelashes at 15. There’ll be plenty of experience and education to have taken away from the experience though, and it’ll be exciting to see how Hester — who was formerly produced by Tim and Jonelle Price and latterly Alex Bragg before joining Laura’s string — has come on for it.
Laura won’t, probably, be riding to retain her title, which she won here last year with Paris frontrunner London 52, but rather to bring Hester on that bit more. But actually, on her day, she could be reasonably competitive, and a positive, steady run over Bicton’s tough terrain last month will have only helped. There, she also produced a mid-20s dressage score, in which there’s been a glimmer of a promise. Expect Dressage Queen Laura to ride every step of her test this week in pursuit of a similar mark. It’ll be masterclass in navigating a test on an inexperienced horse, if nothing else.
Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville (BEL) | Groom: Justine Fery & Bettina Cardi
Like her stablemate Hermione, Hooney d’Arville will be contesting her first 5* here at Luhmühlen. Most recently, this Lara and Hooney finished seventh at Baborowko’s 4*-S, adding only time to an impressive 28.6 dressage score. An occasional rail is possible, and some time not uncommon, which has kept them from the top of the leaderboards, but they’ve jumped clear around some challenging tracks and could be making an exciting debut.
David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed (GBR) | Groom: Jade Roberts
Finish-on-his-dressage specialist Galileo Nieuwmoed may not have been David’s cup of tea when he first met the gelding, but fast forward to today and there’s no doubt that David will be very happy to have been proved so wrong. After a tricky first CCI5* following/during the Covid hiatus at the pop-up event at Bicton, his second attempt at the level in Pau 2021 really showed his mettle. With a clear inside the time on cross country day, Galileo was on track to win the whole dang thing, but for a couple of expensive poles in the final phase which saw them drop to 15th.
The following year, the pair burst onto the Badminton leaderboard, finishing sixth with David as the highest-placed Badminton first-timer — it was jumping clear all the way, adding just 1.2 cross country time faults to their dressage of 32.4. Later that season they returned to Pau for another clear inside the time, where just one rogue pole on the final day saw them tantalizingly close to the 5* podium in fourth. Since then, the gelding has really come into his own, finishing on his dressage score at five consecutive events, including Kentucky last year where he was eighth and Burghley in the fall where he was runner-up, just 0.7 behind the top spot. We were all excited to see him prove the stats right and come out at Badminton this year and take the win, but it wasn’t to be, and David withdrew after the dressage. So here they are at Luhmühlen, looking to top the table and secure the 5* win that we all know is well within their grasp.
Arthur Duffort and Toronto d’Aurois (FRA) | Groom: Léonore (Leo) Gignoux
Seasoned campaigner Toronto D’Aurois comes forward for his eighth CCI5* start and first time at Luhmühlen, rerouting after withdrawing from this season’s Badminton before the dressage. “Toronto” was produced in France up to 2* by part-owner and friend of Arthur, Paul Gatien. The original plan was for the horse to be sold on; however, Toronto was so difficult that they couldn’t find a buyer and he ended up staying. A bit of a shy guy who’s easily spooked, his groom Leonore Gignoux says she would turn off the giant screen in the dressage arena for his test if she could. His best top-level result thus far came at Burghley in 2022 where he was 15th.
The first phase typically sees this combination in the mid- to high-30s, but we all know that eventers are in it for what comes on Saturday. Until the end of last season, Toronto was incredibly reliable for clear jumping across the country, but a 20 out on course at Burghley in the fall saw them retire out on course; they’d had jumping penalties in their prep run at Hartpury too. They seem to have put that behind them over the winter though and have come out this year with two cross country jumping clears. They won’t be the quickest round of the day, but they won’t be the slowest either, and hopefully we’ll see all this 17-year-old’s experience come together for a great spin.
They do tend to add on the final day — Toronto’s generally a 4 or 8 kind of guy — and the time can be tight for them in the show jumping ring too. It was disappointing not to see this stalwart eventer doing his thing at Badminton, so it’ll be cool if things align for him this week at Luhmühlen.
Christoffer Forsberg and Con Classic 2 (SWE) | Groom: Vilma Essman
Over the last number of years, lanky Swede Christoffer has been busy contributing to his country’s team efforts, riding at plenty of Nations Cup legs and the 2021 European Championships at Avenches, where Sweden were team bronze medalists. That was his second Senior Europeans — his first came in 2011 at Luhmühlen – but prior to that, he’d ridden at three Junior and three Young Rider Europeans. In short? He’s great at coping with pressure – and that’ll be a great tool to have in his box as he comes into this 5* week with two rides.
Christoffer made his 5* debut back in 2010 at Burghley when he was 19, finishing an impressive 20th, but he didn’t return to the level again until last season. That was with Con Classic 2, and was once again at Burghley – but unfortunately, the pair’s campaign ended early with a rider fall on cross-country.
Now they’re back to give it another crack at Luhmühlen, where Con Classic has previously jumped well around the spring 3*. He comes in off just one FEI run this season – a 16th place at Baborowko CCI4*-S, where they scored in the high-30s, jumped a steady clear across the country, and toppled two rails on the final day. Maybe not the most auspicious lead-in, but Christoffer has the experience behind him to translate that into a knocking-off of rust ahead of a big run.
Christoffer Forsberg and Hippo’s Sapporo (SWE) | Groom: Vilma Essman
Christoffer’s second ride is a late 5* debutant in Hippo’s Sapporo, who steps up at the age of 16, having been a consistent team campaigner for his rider over the last number of eight years.
This is an interesting horse, because he’s not always an easy one to predict: he can throw down an excellent sub-30 dressage score and put himself right in the hunt straight off the bat, or he can go into the top end of the 30s just as easily. On cross-country though, “Alfie” is game, clever, and naturally quick, and while he’s not seen a course of this level or length before, he does have super CCI4*-L form (including a win at Strzegom last October) and he’s had plenty of happy rounds here at Luhmühlen at 2* and 3* level throughout his career, too.
Sunday is another mixed bag in terms of shaking the magic eight ball and getting the right answer; he used to be a pretty reliable one-rail horse, but more recently has been prone to two, three, or even four down, which he had at Kristianstad CCI4*-S earlier this spring.
And so, for a wide open, wholly noncommittal summary: if he’s at his best this week, he could place. If not, you’ll see him somewhere halfway down the order. Either way, you’ll find his splashy white face the cutest in the field.
Emily Hamel and Corvett (USA) | Groom: Jeanna Epping
Corvett’s wildly impressive jump and Emily’s stickability of recently-viral proportions make these two great fun to watch around the cross country course. Now 17 years old, with six 5* events under his belt, “Barry” has seen a number of 5* tracks, including Badminton, Burghley, Kentucky, and Maryland, and has finished 10th at Kentucky in 2023. Earlier in June, we saw this duo as part of Team USA’s Millstreet CCIO4* silver medal team. These two will be bringing their experience to their Luhmühlen debut this year — keep an eye on them as they fly around the course!
Caroline Harris and D. Day (GBR) | Groom: Ruth Holroyd
Here we have another 5* debut pair, and if their recent form is anything to go by, these two are more than ready to make the step up to the top level. Consistent from the early days of his career, D. Day has a very impressive international record, marred by just a smattering of jumping penalties here and there. Their dressage scores are just as good, hovering around the low-30’s to high-20’s — and on recent outings they are trending more and more towards the latter. As such, they have notched up several notable results, including top 10 in the CCI4*-S at both Blenheim and Chatsworth last year, and win in the CCI3*-S at Thoresby earlier this year. Their final run before Luhmühlen was also a successful one, with a top-15 placing in the CCI4*-S at Bicton, adding just cross country time faults to their dressage score of 29.4.
Fiona Oliver bred the Billy Mexico gelding as a potential hunt horse for her son’s girlfriend, though when that pairing came to an end, she sent him to Caroline to produce — a happy ending for Caroline, at least! “He has a heart of gold, and tries so hard for me,” she says of the 10-year-old D. Day, though there is no doubt that Caroline’s own talent also plays a big part in their success thus far throughout their career. Fingers crossed that their recent form continues in Germany this week, giving them the 5* debut that they so deserve.
Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ (GBR) | Groom: Alison Bell
Yasmin and Rehy DJ have been together since the 2017 season, when “Piglet” came to Yasmin’s stable from Irish rider Aoife Quigley. Since 2017, we’ve seen this duo develop all the way from the 1* to 5* level, where they finished third in their first 5* together at Luhmühlen last year. Since then, we’ve seen multiple top placings at the 4*-S level, most recently with a fifth place finish at Bicton this May. These two often deliver a dressage score in the upper 20s and typically jump clear with some time. They’ll be coming back to Luhmühlen for their second 5* start, where we hope to see another stellar podium finish — just to keep things neat.
Isabella Innes Ker and Highway II (GBR) | Groom: Izzy McKeeman
Bella and Highway made their 5* debut in Pau last October, although it seems hard to believe that that was Bella’s first crack at the level, since she seems to have been present at the upper level of the sport for as long as anyone can remember. Incredibly talented from a young age, she earned her stripes with the legendary William Fox-Pitt, before setting up her own yard in 2022. The youngest-ever winner of Blenheim CCI4*-L with Carolyn, a mare that she achieved many a Junior and Young rider success on, Bella — who originates from the beautiful Floor Castle in the Scottish Borders — has produced Highway II from the very beginning of his career. Together they have built up a solid international record, including several notable 4* completions, as well as a Nations Cup appearance for Team GB at Boekelo in 2022.
Highway’s cross country record is marred only by the occasional 20 jumping penalties — as was the case on their 5* debut in Pau — but more often than not, he can be relied upon to pull off a clear round. His show jumping record is less consistent, and although he has proved himself more than capable of leaving the poles in their cups, he is just as likely to have a rail or two — or four, as was also the case on their final day in Pau. That combined with a dressage score that tends a little too much towards the higher end of the 30’s may put a spoiler on a top-20 finish, but Bella is heading to Germany with a realistic optimism. “My goal would be to improve on Pau last year, and try to have a solid competitive run,” she stated — cheers to that Bella, you certainly deserve it!
Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali (GBR) | Groom: Ali Joannides & Kate Baldock
Patch Ali, cheekily known as “Jeff,” arrived in Melissa’s yard back in 2017 for her to produce for his owner, Peter Rhodes. However, when Peter’s work became increasingly busy, he made the decision to hand over the reins to Melissa full time, and they have now been together for six seasons. Luhmühlen will be a first 5* for both horse and rider, and Melissa’s main aim for the event is to have a happy and safe completion and enjoy the experience as much as possible.
A completion is well within their capabilities if recent form is anything to go by. Aside from an unfortunate fall at Cornbury House last September, they have jumped clear in all but one of their last 15 cross country runs, with top 20 placings in the CCI4*-S at Thoresby and in the CCI4*-L at both Mallow and Ballindenisk last season. Jeff’s showjumping is not altogether too reliable though — although they have jumped double clear on two of four runs this season, he had at least one rail down on all but one occasion last year. That may not bode well for the final day of their first 5*, when even the most experienced of 5* campaigners can tend to be a little weary following a long and testing cross country, but there is always room for improvement, and it’s always nice to have something to work on, right? Go well, Melissa and Jeff!
Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver de Haar (GBR) | Groom: Lauren Underhill
Fiona and her long-time partner love a 5*, and they love Luhmühlen: last year, we saw them finish 12th here to top off what seemed like the jolliest week of all time. They’d road-tripped down with Fiona’s great friend Kylie Roddy, had more laughs than everyone else on-site combined, and both went home with super placings to their name, leaving us all wishing we were cadging a lift in the lorry to join in with all the giggles.
No news yet on who Fiona’s ridesharing with this time (though we didn’t get the invite again, and we’re devastated), but we do know one thing: returning to a happy hunting ground can be a really potent positive influence, and Fiona will have her eye on cracking that top 10. It’s a bold goal, but not an unattainable one — although Luhmühlen last year was actually the gelding’s first 5* clear, he’s been on great form since in the few runs he’s had. He was fast and clear around Arville’s CCI4*-S in late summer, though four uncharacteristic rails dropped them down the leaderboard, and in his four national runs this year, he’s placed every time. Best of all? Though he’s ordinarily a mid-30s scorer at all levels, he put a mid-20s zinger of a score on the board in an OI at Tweseldown just last month. He’s also not had a single rail in 2024. We reckon we could see Fiona grinning again by the end of this week.
Robbie Kearns and Ballyvillane OBOS (IRL) | Groom: Maxine Rae
We have yet another duo making their 5* debut in Luhmühlen in the form of young Irish rider Robbie Kearns and Richard Ames’ Ballyvillaine OBOS. Robbie only took the ride on him last year, but Richard bought him as a three-year-old. Although he was actually viewing another horse at the time, it was “Sparky” who caught Richard’s eye when he trotted across the field, hence he left with him in the horsebox instead! In the short time that Robbie and Sparky (or “Sparkly”, as Richard’s three-year-old granddaughter likes to call him) have been together, they have formed a solid and consistent partnership.
They have yet to have a cross country jumping fault, and similarly have had just the one rail down in the show jumping too. This is a form that Sparky’s had from the start of his competitive career: never lowering more than one rail, and even then only on the odd occasion, and he has not had a single cross country jumping fault throughout the whole of his international career thus far. He is fast too — he and Robbie notched up a win on only their second international outing together last year, taking the CCI3*-S in Ballindensisk when they added nothing to their first phase score of 28.7. That score was something of a PB for these two: their dressage marks usually range from mid to low 30’s, which will leave them there or thereabouts ahead of the jumping phases in Luhmühlen, and stand them in good stead for an impressive first run at the level.
Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes (IRL) | Groom: Leagh Daniels
Jennifer and Polly Blue Eyes hit the headlines a few weeks ago as part of Ireland’s Nations Cup winning team out in Millsteet, where they finished best of the Irish in individual eighth place. Theirs is a long and happy partnership: they have now been together for six years and featured on both Junior and Young Rider Teams, winning a few team medals in the process. Selected for the Senior European Championships last year, earning Jenny her first senior cap, they pulled off a personal best in the first phase — though Jenny then made the decision to withdraw before the cross country, stating “the ground conditions weren’t great, and she has absolutely nothing to prove to me.” Wise move! This will be both of these ladies’ 5* debut, as well as that of Jennifer’s other ride, Sammy Davis Junior, so her main aim for the week is to finish with two happy and healthy horses.
This is not their first trip to Luhmühlen — they finished in the top-20 here in the CCI4*-S last year, adding just a rail and show jumping time faults to their first phase score. The dressage is perhaps the only chink in this gusty little mare’s armour — “she’s a full thoroughbred so it’s not her favourite phase” according to Jenny! Still, what she lacks in that phase she makes up for in the jumping ring. Rarely adding more than a pole — if that — on the final day, she has proved herself to be quite the cross country machine, with a top-10 finish in the CCI4*-L in Kronenberg earlier this season to prove it. “She’s not the biggest, but she has the biggest heart,” says Jenny, and that should put her in good stead for an impressive 5* debut this week in Germany.
Jennifer Kuehnle and Sammy Davis Junior (IRL) | Groom: Leagh Daniels
Sammy Davis Junior started his eventing career with Jennifer’s other half Cathal Daniels, who campaigned him all the way up to 4*-L before Jenny managed to “rob him 3 years ago!” Already enjoying several success with Cathal, “Sammy” has since gone on to win an Irish Team Bronze medal at the Young Rider Championships with his new jockey; they were also fourth individually on that occasion, too. They jumped double clear around Boekelo last year and posted a PB in the first phase at Millstreet last month, although they unfortunately retired on the cross country. Still, that is something of a blip for Sammy — his jumping ability is just as good as that of his stable mate Polly Blue Eyes, and in fact often jumps around 1.40m show jumping tracks. His dressage scores are ever-improving, sitting around the low-30s mark, so they should be well in touch heading into cross country.
Like Polly, Jenny describes him as “the biggest fighter” (as well as the “monkey of the stable!”) so he hopefully will also make an impressive 5* debut. “A placing would be great,” says Jenny, and it doesn’t seem out of the question on either of her horses here this week, 5* debutants though they may be. Assisted by Cathal, who is no stranger to the level, Jenny is increasingly proving herself as a force to be reckoned with, and a good result this week could well see her sliding into the view of the Olympic selectors. Fingers crossed!
Lauren Lillywhite and Hacien (GBR) | Groom: Barbara Yallop
Lauren first laid eyes on Hacien when she was hoodwinked into a trip to Hungary to vew some young horses. Upon arrival, she found herself in an unassuming family’s back garden, complete with various sheds full of young horses. Undeterred by the less-than-professional setup, she left with the eye-catching “Captain”, then a three-year-old stallion. Produced by Lauren from the very beginning of his career, Captain is, as of four years ago following an unfortunate incident with a black thorn, partially sighted in one eye.
His sight has not hindered his eventing career, and he has since jumped clear at some of the toughest tracks in the sport, including the CCI4*-L at Bramham and a start at Burghley last year (his first attempt at the level), where he and Lauren did sadly part company on the cross country, bringing their competition to an early finish. They will be looking to put that experience behind them this week: Lauren, who made her 5* debut back over a decade ago now with her Young Rider horse One More Step, is keeping everything crossed that they can finish in the top 50%, earning them that much-coveted Badminton qualification.
With an average dressage score that tends to hover between the mid- to low-30s, such a result could certainly be within their capabilities, as Captain is a reasonably careful show jumper, rarely lowering more than a pole or two. Just the small matter of a 5* cross country track to conquer, but we have every faith that Lauren and Captain will rise to the challenge in fine style!
Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig (NZL) | Groom: Jamie Mallon
One of the rising stars of the Kiwi eventing scene, Samantha arrived in the UK with no real fixed accommodation, no car, no lorry… nothing. That did not stop her from making quite the name for herself at the top level of the sport, with a couple of 5* completions thus far and great results at every level — including the Young Horse Championships in Lion D’Angers where she was 5th last year with Quantas R. In between doing all of that, she and husband Brayden have also managed to find a permanent base and made the decision to stay in the UK long-term last year. Good call guys! Sam has also built up quite the string of horses in the last few years, and Lord Seekonig — “Charlie”, or “King Charles” when he is on his best behavior — is the latest rising talent to emerge from her stable.
Until 2022, he was competed by Ireland’s Alex Power, who took him to the CCI3*-L level, but he and Sam finished in the top-20 on all of their outings in their first season together. “A lovely horse to ride on the flat,” the German-bred gelding never fails to impress in the first phase. They were lying eighth after dressage in the CCI4*-L at the Blenheim last year on a 28.7, and were it not for a missed flag on the cross country, they would have finished towards the top of the leaderboard after jumping clear on the final day. So don’t be surprised to see these two sitting pretty after day one, and if all goes according to plan cross country, Charlie could pull of a very respectable 5* debut.
Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia 34 (GER)
It’ll be a 5* debut for Libussa, who is just 23 but has already enjoyed a stacked career, which has seen her represent Germany at European Championships at Pony level once and Young Rider level twice. All three times, she took home gold or silver team medals.
Libussa’s also a mature and considered rider with a love for learning — and that’s evidenced by her participation in the prestigious Warendorf programme for Germany’s brightest up-and-coming talents. There, she and her compatriots train full-time under the auspices of head coach Julia Krajewski, and when they head out to competitions, they do so with their Warendorf family in situ to help support them. That’s important for a few reasons: first of all, it’s actually just really lovely to see them all dashing to help one another out and laughing and crying and celebrating and commiserating together — but also, crucially, it allows them to learn from one another, and Libussa particularly will be the grateful beneficiary of feedback from Jerome Robine — who made his own 5* debut here last year, finishing 10th, and contests the CCI4*-S class here this week as one of the long-listed German riders.
In Caramia, who she’s had since 2019 when she inherited the ride from her brother Fritz, Libussa has a formidable partner. They finished 14th together at the Young Rider Europeans in 2022, and were 14th individually and part of the fourth-placed German team at the Nations Cup finale at Boekelo that autumn. They were 12th in the CCI4*-S here last year before contesting Aachen, where they had a flag penalty but were still very impressive. They can go sub-30, though they may be more likely to sit low-30s in their first five-star test, and they’re a naturally swift, catty pair across the country. Sunday tends to be a two-rail affair, but they’ve turned it into a one-rail one this season. They should have a week they can be very proud of.
Cedric Lyard and Unum de’Or (FRA)
It’ll be a sixth 5* for 16-year-old Unum de’Or and his hugely-experienced pilot. We saw them here last year when they finished 22nd, and they retired on course at Pau in October, but they do have some very good form at the level too — they were in the top 20 at Burghley in 2022 and ninth in the gelding’s first go at the level at Pau in 2021.
This year, they’ve got just one FEI run to their name so far, but it was a good one: they finished 11th in the CCI3*-S at Fontainebleau, jumping two steady clears in prep for this, their long-format goal for the first half of the season. While they’re unlikely to win, they’ll certainly be looking to try to crack the top 15. They can do so if they go low-30s in the first phase — which they did at that ninth-placed Pau — and if they jump a quick clear, which they frequently do. Come Sunday, they might go clear or they might have two rails, but last year’s Luhmühlen final-day performance was marred by a major fright from an audience member opening an umbrella, so without that factor this time, they should be able to keep on the ball and record a smart finish.
Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality (GBR) | Groom: Adam Short
Because fighting for a spot on the British team, as he’s doing in the CCI4*-S with JL Dublin, evidently isn’t enough work and pressure, Tom “Ice In His Veins” McEwen is also bringing two horses along for the 5* too, just for funsies. Actually, who are we kidding — Tom doesn’t do things just for funsies, he does them to be competitive, or at least to further his horses’ education.
The first of his two rides, both of which could be very, very cool this week, is Brookfield Quality, or “Nervous Norris”, who was piloted by fellow Brookfield rider Piggy March until 2022 when she and Tom decided, in conjunction with Brookfield, to give Tom a go with the talented gelding.
It’s been a very smart match so far: in four FEI runs together, they’ve never finished lower than fourth. Norris is a sensitive soul, but he’s also been produced by empathetic jockeys, and that’s helped him to deliver some very, very good first-phase scores — he’s a mid- to high-20s horse who can (and has) gone to the low-20s at 4* — and rather a lot of quick, breezy clears across the country. He also hasn’t had a rail down in over two years. At 15 years, he’s a late debutant to the level, but one that you mustn’t overlook, because he actually stands a chance of being a surprise winner of the whole thing.
Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser (GBR) | Groom: Adam Short
The second of Tom’s rides in this class is catty, cool mare CHF Cooliser, or “Eliza”, who finished second at Pau on her debut in 2021, jumped clear around Badminton the following year for a top-30 finish, and was 12th at Burghley later that year — even with a MIM activation. She then spent all of 2023 out of action and returned this year with a steady run in the CCI4*-S at Kronenberg, as well as several similarly steady clears in national classes.
Will this week be the week the handbrake comes off? We reckon so — and when it does, she’s not a slow horse by any means, though she wouldn’t be the absolute speediest in the field either. She did go inside the time at Pau though, so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility to see her do it again here, where time does tend to be a touch more catchable.
Her first phase will be a mystery until it happens; she can be a low- to mid-30s horse, but she can also go mid-20s as she did at Burghley, or high-20s as she did at Pau. She’s often prone to a rail, too -– but where she’s pretty predictable is in cross-country reliability. Other than that spare frangible activation, she’s never had a cross-country jumping penalty in 21 FEI runs. Cheer her on because sure, she could win — but also put your support behind her because she’s the best kind of feisty, clever redheaded mare, and it’s really nice to see her back in action.
Muzi Pottinger and Good Timing (NZL) | Groom: Amy Bliss Bennett
Full thoroughbred Good Timing — affectionately (or not) known as “The Shark” at home, or “Johnny” when he is behaving — made his 5* debut in Pau last year. Unfortunately, their French adventure ended early when they slipped agonisingly close to home, but hopefully the super-size studs that are on the packing list for this week will stop that happening again. Muzi describes Johnny as “a groom’s nightmare,” although he makes up for that by being very good at his job — his second career after he proved too slow for the race track.
A little pocket rocket at just 16 hands, he had his big break on this side of the pond as part of the New Zealand Nations Cup team at Pratoni back in 2022. He finished in the top 20 there, thanks to a speedy cross country clear and just one down in the show jumping. This is typical of Johnny; he may well be small, but boy is he mighty, jumping double-clear more often than not. His dressage is becoming increasingly consistent too, tending more and more towards the mid- to low-30’s — indeed, he posted a very respectable 35.4 back in Pau –so a good result is well within his capabilities.
Muzi — daughter of Kiwi Olympian Tinks Pottinger — is perhaps better known for her results with Just Kidding, a horse who took her to her first 5*, but since his retirement last year, it is now time for Johnny to take the spotlight and prove himself as the next big (little) thing.
Tim Price and Viscount Viktor (NZL) | Groom: Kerryn Edmans & Rosie Thomas
Team Price are going to be as busy as ever in Germany this week with several rides apiece in the CCI4*-S, and Tim also has the young superstar Viscount Viktor in the 5* too. Might as well make the trip worthwhile, right?
The cross country didn’t quite go according to plan on Viktor’s debut at the level in Pau last year, with 60 jumping penalties — a shame, given that he pulled a 28 out of the bag in the first phase. Still, at just 10 years old (nine on his debut), Viktor is still a relatively inexperienced horse, so hopefully that was just beginner’s nerves. Former FEI World Number 1 Tim certainly wouldn’t be taking him to Luhmühlen if he didn’t think he was capable, either. He has jumped clear across the country on all of his four starts this season, including in the CCI4*-S at Bicton on his final prep run — he posted another 28 in the dressage there too, proof of his potential to be a top class horse. His show jumping is not always the most reliable, with an annoying pole or two more often than not, but with a dressage score in the 20’s, that can certainly be forgiven.
We are all aware of the magical talent that Tim possesses for bringing out the very best in his horses, so don’t be surprised to see these two finish comfortably within the top 20, and confirm Viscount Viktor as the next superstar to emerge from the Price stable.
Will Rawlin and The Partner (GBR)
Will and The Partner have developed their FEI partnership over the last eight seasons, working up from the 1* to 5* level. We saw them finish 23rd in their first 5* attempt at Luhmühlen, adding a 20 with some time on cross country and a rail with some time in show jumping. Their dressage often floats between the upper-20s and low-30s, which gave them a top-10 finish at Burnham Market’s 4*-S in 2022. We most recently saw this duo retire at the Bicton 4*S on cross country after a lovely 29.5 in dressage and a double clear show jumping. We’ll be looking forward to seeing how they tackle the questions asked at Luhmühlen this year!
Pietro Sandei and Rubis de Prere (ITA)
Talk about a warhorse: 19-year-old Rubis de Prere has traveled the world with his best pal Pietro, and along the way, they’ve tackled two 5*s, two European Championships, a World Championships, and countless Nations Cups and 4*s. This’ll be their first Luhmühlen; previously, they’ve tackled Pau in 2022, where they picked up a 20 on course, and Badminton in 2019, where they jumped a steady clear.
This season, Rubis has started the way he finished last year: with a win. He closed out 2023 with victory in the CCI4*-S at Montelibretti in November, and last month, he took the CCI4*-S in hilly Pratoni, which was the site of the 2022 World Championships.
We’ll be looking for a low-30s starting point — they put a 30.6 on the board at that Badminton, and have gone sub-30 several times at 4*, but we often see them creep up through the 30s, too; their last FEI dressage score was a 33.8. On cross-country, they tend to be very reliable — helped by the fact that they know each other so well that they’re basically sharing a brain on cross-country — and they’re a naturally quick pair too, though more so at the short-format level. This, though, is a course where it can be easier to catch the time, and many of the tough combinations have a short-format sort of intensity, which could work in their favour. On Sunday, we’ll probably see a rail, but they should finish with a smile on their faces.
Julie Simonet and Sursumcord ‘Or (FRA)
Part of the winning Nations Cup Team in Jardy last year, young French rider Julie Simonet and her Young Rider championship horse Sursumcord’or are lining up for their first 5* in Luhmühlen this week. They have proven themselves more than ready for the challenge with a roster of top results, including an individual 12th place in the Young Rider Championships at Hartpury in 2022, where they were also part of the fourth-placed French team. Unfortunately, they were eliminated at Bramham later that year, despite a promising start. Since then, this formidable pair have finished in the top 10 at all of their international runs, including a podium finish in the CCI4*-L at Lignières in 2022 and again in Kronenberg last year. A speedy double clear back in Lignières — this time for the CCI4*-S — earlier this year left them in eighth place, the perfect prep run for their first 5*.
Capable of a smart dressage test, their first phase score tends to average around the low 30’s, so their names could well be amongst some of the more established partnerships going into the jumping phases. Their jumping is not to be sniffed at either with a cross country record that remains unblemished since their elimination at Bramham, and they certainly don’t waste too much time out there. Other than a rogue pole, the show jumping rarely causes this pair any trouble, so we could well see them finish very strongly indeed, despite their inexperience at the level.
Storm Straker and Fever Pitch (GBR) | Groom: the rider!
This will be a first tilt at 5* for both Storm and “Pitchie”, although eventing is in Storm’s blood: her father Nick was the winner of the inaugural Bramham Horse Trials, and her aunt is multi-Olympian Karen Dixon. Storm is also one of those incredible superhumans who manages to combine her equestrian pursuits with another career, as she works full-time for Howden Insurance. Her boss is none other than David Howden — creator of the “Howden Way” and president of the Cornbury House Horse Trials — so as Storm points out, he understands the time commitment required to compete at the top level of the sport, more so than other bosses may have been!
Storm has already been incredibly successful on her way up the levels. Just this year, she and Pitchie won the CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk, adding just 0.4 show jumping time penalties to their sub 30 dressage score. A double-clear is something that is becoming increasingly commonplace for these two, and has seen them finish within the top 20 at Blair and in the Eight/Nine-Year-Old class at Blenheim Palace too.
An incredibly sensitive horse, Storm and her dressage trainer Nicola Naprstrek have worked very hard to eliminate the tension that Pitchie tended to bring forward in the first phase, and it has certainly paid off — their first phase score is constantly improving, and a low-30 score would not be out of the question for their first 5* test. Storm’s main aim for Luhmühlen is to have a safe run and to give “out-and-out trier” Pitchie a positive experience. Just the small matter of a full day of training for her “other” job on the Tuesday first…
Mollie Summerland and Flow 7 (GBR) | Groom: Georgie Porter
The Luhmühlen crowds will be thrilled to cheer on Mollie Summerland, who is the youngest-ever winner of this 5*, having taken it in 2021 in extraordinary circumstances with Charly van ter Heiden. Now, following the sad sale of Charly — one of the tough but often necessary parts of the business — she’s back in action with debutant Flow, who is proving to be a seriously exciting next-generation horse for her, and who she’s produced through his career as she had with Charly.
What’s also doubly lovely is that Flow’s owners, Paula and Adrian Cloke, get to be here to enjoy the fun this week — in 2021, the tricky Covid Luhmühlen, they stepped up to the plate to help Mollie achieve her win, lending their lorry, their emotional support, and their remote cheerleading duties, despite not even being owners of her ride at the time. This week, we hope they’ll get the buzz and the thrill that they so richly deserve.
There’s always a question mark hanging over a first-time 5* horse, because no one knows yet whether the increase in distance and difficulty will be a step too far. But Flow’s career has shown so much promise so far: he’s finished in the top 10 in exactly 50% of his FEI starts, and while he’s still green and learning how to manage his supermodel-long legs, Mollie’s even admitted that she reckons he could be better than dressage supremo Charly on the flat once the pieces of the puzzle come together. For now though, he’s still getting the changes down pat, and so while he should be a sub-30 scorer, much will rest on those. On cross-country, he’s naturally incredibly fast, and has two placings at 4* to his name this spring — including third at Ballindenisk CCI4*-L — but he had a couple of green mistakes last year that it would appear he’s learned from. Show jumping would be his weak phase right now, and he’ll likely have one or two on Sunday — though he was clear and finished on his dressage score at Ballindenisk. He could win, or he could learn, or he could be very lucky and do a bit of both this week.
Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG (LTU)
A regular name at the event since 2019, Aistis brings Commander VG for their fourth run in Luhmühlen’s 5*. Despite retiring on course last year, this pair has already placed 11th and 13th in the event in the two years prior (and a 14th placing in the 4* in 2020 as well), so we can only assume that they’re back to finally break that top-10 barrier.
Although they had some rough luck at the 5* level last year — also including three dropped poles and a slow-going cross country round at Badminton, a horse fall at Burghley, and a refusal on course at Pau — Aistis and Commander have been crushing it at the 4* level. They haven’t been out of the top-10 in nearly two years at a 4*, already adding a fifth-place finish in the 4*-S at Kristianstad and a finish in eighth at Strzegom’s 4*-L this spring. Aistis also competes up to CSI3* in show jumping, having already ridden at several Nations Cup events for Lithuania this year alone. Provided they can avoid any more issues on cross country this weekend, they should have a fair chance at the clean 5* finish they deserve.
Patrick Whelan and Ikoon Lan (IRL) | Groom: the rider!
Another of Ireland’s rising stars — seriously, the Irish have it nailed when it comes to breeding talented young riders — this will be a first 5* for both Patrick Whelan and his ride Ikoon Lan. Originally produced by his good pal Cathal Daniels, Patrick bought “Brutus” a couple of years ago, and they have quickly formed a strong partnership. The 11-year-old gelding only stepped up to 4*-L at Millstreet last June, and barring a frustrating 11 penalties on the cross country, he coped well with the challenge. He has continued to show his class since then, jumping around the CCI4*-L at Blenheim last year too.
Dressage would not be this horse’s strong suit — expect a score in the high 30’s — and although he can show jump clear as evidenced at Millstreet last month, he is more likely to roll a pole or two. Still, for their first run at the level, Patrick will more than likely be hoping for a safe and steady completion first and foremost, and Brutus has proven himself more than capable of that. Patrick was part of the victorious Irish Nations Cup team at Millstreet with Altitu, and Ikoon Lan also jumped a steady double clear in the CCI4*-L, setting themselves up well for their run here this week.
