The new eventing season in Strzegom has officially begun. The first day of the Strzegom Spring Open was dedicated to dressage tests, which traditionally open the competition in international classes.
Riders from multiple countries took to the start, competing in four international classes (from CCI4*-S down to CCI1*-Intro) as well as six national competitions.
CCI4*-S: German trio in the lead
Ben Leuwer (GER) and Zuccini MN. Photo by Leszek Wójcik / Strzegom Spring Tour.
In the most demanding class of the day, CCI4*-S, Germany’s Ben Leuwer riding Zuccini MN took the lead after dressage with a score of 28.6 penalties. Zuccini MN, 9 years old this year, is contesting his second 4*-S, and on Friday shaved two points off his previous score at the same venue last fall.
Konstantin Harting and Caspara 6. Photo by Leszek Wójcik / Strzegom Spring Tour.
His compatriot Konstantin Harting on Caspara is currently in second place with 29.8, while Libussa Lübbeke and her European Championships/Kentucky top 10 finisher Caramia FRH sit third on 30.0.
Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia FRH. Photo by Leszek Wójcik / Strzegom Spring Tour.
Kiwi rider Samantha Lissington is the first to break up the German party, taking fourth place after dressage with 2025 Luhmühlen runner-up Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ (31.7). The Netherlands’ Merel Blom-Hulsman rounds out the top five with 10-year-old Diego TH (32.0).
CCI3*-S: Blom-Hulsman on top
In the CCI3*-S class, Merel Blom-Hulsman riding Checkpoint 46 claimed the lead with 27.4 penalties.
Second place goes to Germany’s Christoph Wahler and Gainsbourg De Bedon with 29.9, while India’s Ashish Limaye and Eeasy Turn are third on 31.3.
The best-placed Polish combination, Paweł Warszawski and Caglistro PKZ, currently sit in a solid 9th position with 32.3 penalties.
Season opener sets the tone
Marcin Konarski, event organiser and course designer, highlighted the importance of the April competition in riders’ seasonal plans: “The start of the season in Strzegom brings great excitement. We are already seeing very good form at the dressage stage, and we are confident that the coming days will deliver top-level sporting action.”
The competition continues over the next days with cross-country and show jumping phases, which will determine the final standings. The live stream can be found on ClipMyHorse.TV here.
Strzegom Spring Open (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
