And so we find ourselves at the midpoint of the 5* season, with Adelaide, Kentucky and Badminton in the rearview and Luhmühlen looming large this weekend. As well as the 5* competition, the 4*-S looks set to be hotly contested by Olympic hopefuls and German riders with designs on the National Championship alike, in what’s sure to be a big weekend of eventing.
Of course, we’ll be here for all of it, with boots on the ground courtesy of Tilly and a whole team of chinchillas scurrying around backstage to bring you all of the action. As well as our customary daily reports detailing each phase of the competition, we’ve got live updates from the 5* cross country headed your way, cross country previews and a round-up of what the riders think of the course, as well as a bunch of Instagram content @goeventing and a whole lot more. Stay tuned ENers, it’s going to be a good one.
Eyes on for EN’s epic form guide to all the 5* runners and riders – coming soon!
Some times to note:
Wednesday
4:30pm CEST / 10:30am ET – First Horse Inspection
Thursday
8:20am CEST / 3:20am ET – 4*-S Dressage
2:30pm CEST / 8:30am ET – 5* Dressage
Friday
8:15am CEST / 3:15am ET – 4*-S Dressage
2pm CEST / 8am ET – 5* Dressage
Saturday
8:30am CEST / 3:30am ET – 5* Cross Country
12:15pm CEST / 6:15am ET – 4*-S Cross Country
Sunday
7:30am CEST / 2:30am ET – Final Horse Inspection
9:25am CEST / 4:25am ET – 5* Show Jumping
12:15pm CEST / 6:15am ET – 4*-S Show Jumping
H&C+ will be livestreaming the entire event (subscription required) – check it out here.
Last year’s 5* champs Laura Collett and London 52 will go in the 4* this time around as they make their preparations for – perhaps – Paris. The team are manifesting no drama for the llama on their barn whiteboard (above), whilst white unicorn Hester is having another go at the upper echelons of eventing with some valuable experience under her cinch after rerouting from Badminton. It’ll be all to play for at Luhmühlen – bring it on!
Let’s go eventing!
Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream – H&C+]
U.S. Weekend Preview
Aspen Farm H.T (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (Poolesville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]
Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I (Santa Ynez, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (Camp Lake, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
International Events
Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream – H&C+]
Wednesday News and Reading
The third leg of the FEI Nations Cup happened last weekend over in Switzerland, with the home side making their play for the title. With three legs now done, and four to go, Switzerland and Italy are tied at the top of the clubhouse leaderboard. The series moves on to Strzegom in Poland next weekend. But before we set our sights on the next leg, find out how the Swiss team conquered in Avenches.
We’ve been following Shane Rose’s journey back into the saddle and onto the road to Paris with awe. And we’re not the only ones. EquiRatings’ Nicole Brown spoke to him about, well, everything, for the latest installment of ‘When Nicole Met…’. From his eventing beginnings in Australia and how he manages to finance his, frankly, incredibly spendy career choice, to his foray into racing and, of course, his epic comeback – it’s all here.
Oliver Townend has hung onto his spot as World No. 1 this month, in no small part thanks to his exceptional young mare, 2024 Kentucky champ, Cooley Rosalent. We’re waiting with baited breath to find out which four combinations from the totally stacked Team GB longlist will be heading to Paris this summer, and Oliver’s got a chance to add to his gold medal from Tokyo with his up-and-coming star. (Ballaghmor Class has been withdrawn from the nominated entries list.) Oliver’s talented mare is FEI’s Horse of the Month, and, although we don’t yet know if she’ll get her Olympic cap this time around, one thing’s for sure, the future’s looking rosy for Rosie.
And speaking of Oliver, his withdrawal from Badminton meant an end to the Grand Slam dream, for now at least. It’s the third time his attempt to win the triple crown of eventing has been scuppered, but he’s not alone in seeing his chance at the ultimate eventing title slip away. But hey, to even be in with a shot is a huge achievement, so finding yourself on this list of failed attempts isn’t actually a bad thing.
And finally, Modern Pentathlon has really been through the wringer since Tokyo. Paris will be the last time that show jumping is part of this multi-discipline sport, with a new ninja-style obstacle race replacing the horsey element for the LA Games. It’s not a universally popular decision, and the current Olympic and World champion is considering hanging up his sneakers because of it. Britain’s Joe Choong is preparing to defend his title this summer, but things aren’t looking so certain for his parter, and fellow Modern Pentathlon competitor, Liv Green. Find out why Paris may be the end of both of their Olympic dreams.
Video Break
Check out Andrew Hoy’s horsemanship tips for kids in this informative – and super cute – video offering:
