Photo by Jackie Imholte
The eyes of the eventing world fall upon Germany this week, as the year’s third CCI4* is contested at Luhmuhlen. While Jenni and Samantha stay home for the weekend, the chinchillas are out enjoying bratwurst and Heineken and we have a nifty network of guest bloggers in place to bring you all the live action. Fifty-one horses and riders are entered in the CCI4*, and another 47 in the CIC3*. It’s shaping up to be a very competitive field, so let’s discuss some of the entries.
The US is represented by Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda; Marilyn Little and RF Demeter, with RF Black Pearl in CIC3*; Julian Stiller and Enjoy Me; and Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight. Jennie and Cambalda look to make their second appearance at a CCI4* — they competed at Luhmuhlen in 2011 — after their mishap before dressage at Rolex this year. Marilyn and Demeter also hope to move on from an unlucky fall at Rolex, when Demeter banked a table and Marilyn took a tumble. Jolie Wentworth had a go at Rolex last year with Good Knight; she was awarded the Broussard International Grant, and decided to use it for Luhmuhlen this weekend. Enjoy Me has had an inconsistent cross-country record, so it’s hard to predict how his weekend will go with Jules Stiller. Stay tuned here on EN for more blogs from Kate Miller, groom for Good Knight, and Jackie Imholte, Cambalda’s groom.
2012 winner Michael Jung is noticeably absent from the CCI4*, as both his best horses (Sam and Leopin) were at Badminton earlier this year. While the rest of the world would like to breathe a sigh of relief, save your breath because Big Willie and the Silver Fox are out for another four-star showdown. William Fox-Pitt brings two of his ever-experienced four-star horses: Neuf de Coeurs and Lion Heart, while Andrew Nicholson has Qwanza, Mr. Cruise Control, and Rathmoyle King.
Germans Bettina Hoy and Lanfranco TSF, Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon, and Ingrid Klimke and Tabasco TSF will all be defending their home turf with experienced horses. I’m not saying it will be a dressage show, but you’d better bring your A-game in the first phase.
A few competitors from last year are back at it again: Andrew Hoy is entered with the stunning Rutherglen, 6th in 2012, and Lucinda Fredericks with Flying Finish did even better, finishing second in 2012. British favorites Zara Phillips and High Kingdom, and Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz round out some big names at Luhmuhlen this year.
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Follow on Twitter: @luhmuehlen2013
[Live Stream] (for cross country and show jumping)
Wednesday 5:00pm local time / 11:00am ET : First Horse Inspection CCI4*
Thursday 9:30am – 5:55pm local / 3:30am-11:55am ET : CIC3* Dressage
Friday 8:30am – 5:55pm local / 2:30am – 11:55am ET : CCI4* Dressage
Saturday 9:00am – 11:25am local / 3:00am – 5:25am ET : CIC3* Cross-Country
12:45pm – 4:45pm local / 6:45am – 12:45pm ET : CCI4* Cross-Country
Sunday 8:45am local / 2:45am ET : Horse Inspection CIC3* followed by CCI4*
10:30am – 12:15pm local / 4:30am – 6:15am ET : CIC3* Show Jumping
1:45pm – 3:30pm local / 7:45am – 9:30am ET : CCI4* Show Jumping
The weather forecast looks like high-60s to low 70s, with 70% chance of rain Thursday, 20% chance of rain Friday, and clear for the jumping on Saturday and Sunday. Go Luhmuhlen!
