Saturdays are called ‘moving day’ in eventing for a reason and for the US contingent in Germany, only Will Faudree and Andromaque moved up the Luhmuhlen leader board. The Luhmuhlen CCI4* course rode really tough, with half of the starters having at least a stop, and a quarter not finishing the course. Will and Pawlow had a glance off at 21C, part of a turning line of scalloped brush fences. Julian Stiller and Chapel Amble also picked up a stop at 21C. 21 was a combination which caused problems for 9 out of 40 starters. Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda picked up a couple of glance-offs early on the course at 8 (a big brush corner) and 12C (a narrow brush wedge), and then they were eliminated at 20A.
In the overall CCI4* competition, Piggy French and Flying Machine took advantage of 6.8 time penalties from overnight leader Frank Ostholt and put together a double-clear to take the lead for Great Britain. Germany occupies the next 4 spots on the leader board with Sadra Auffarth, Andreas Dibowski, Frank Ostholt, and Dirk Schrade. Sitting in 6th and 7th are–who else–Mary King and William Fox-Pitt who surged up the score sheet from 14th and 15th after the dressage. Clayton Frederiscks, Paul Tapner, and Oliver Townend round out the top 10. There were only 10 double-clears on the 4* XC.
Luhmuhlen CCI4* XC Results:
1. Piggy French (GBR) and Flying Machine +0 38.4
2. Sandray Auffarth (GER) and Opgun Louvo +0 39.0
3. Andreas Dibowski (GER) and Euroridings Butts Leon +0 39.8
4. Frank Ostholt (GER) and Little Paint +6.8 42.1
5. Dirk Schrade (GER) and Hop and Skip +0 45.2
6. May King (GBR) and Appache Sauce +0 46.2
7. William Fox-Pitt and Macciato +0 46.2
[Full CCI4* XC Results PDF, CCI4* Fence Report PDF]
In the CIC3*, Will Faudree’s mare produced one of only 11 double-clear XC rides. Will and Missie jumped four places to 14th on that clean performance. The other US pair in the CIC3*, Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister, were found to be eliminated at fence 19C for incorrectly jumping an option. According to the fence report they then picked up a refusal at 22B, which was the end of their round.
Elsewhere on the CIC3* leader board, the Germans maintained their grip on the top three places as Kai Ruder, Marina Kohncke, and Andreas Ostholt all came home double-clear. The Germans have 5 riders in the top 6 of the CIC3* division as Kai Ruder takes a 7.6 point lead into the show jumping.
Luhmuhlen CIC3* XC Results
1. Kai Ruder (GER) and Leprince des Bois +0 31.5
2. Marina Kohncke (GER) and Calma Schelly +0 39.1
3. Andreas Ostholt (GER) and Franco Jeas +0 39.3
…
14. Will Faudree and Andromaque +0 47.1
[Full CIC3* XC Results, CIC3* Fence Report PDF]
Looking at the day as a whole, it’s heartbreaking for me to have a tough XC round 1 hour from home at the local prelim event. I can only imagine what it must feel like to fly all that way to such a big competition and walk back from the course unhappy. Fortunately, knowing Will, Tiana, and Jennie, I am sure they will take today’s experience, build on it, and the resulting future success will be that much sweeter.
As a note on the live scoring, you can click on the rider names for more information on their horse and their rides. As a final incidental note, Mark Phillips is the Luhmuhlen course designer.
We’ll have much more from Luhmuhlen as well as news and notes and ridiculousness from all around Eventing Nation throughout the day. It’s going to be a busy Saturday, so stay tuned. Go eventing.
