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Mollie Summerland and Charly van ter Heiden take the dressage lead in Luhmühlen’s CCI5*. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
When the Luhmühlen CCI5* entry list was revealed a month ago, it was to no small amount of excitement: over 70 combinations had put their names forward to contest the first five-star of the 2021 European season, and among them were more than 40 of Britain’s most illustrious pairs. It was set to be, without any hint of exaggeration, the hottest Luhmühlen field ever – until the travel ban kicked in.
As the Delta variant of the coronavirus began to spread through the north of England, several European countries decided to take early action to stop it from travelling to the continent. Chief among those was Germany, who brought in a hardline ban on travel from the UK, unless those travellers could prove they had an urgent need to enter the country. From the German government’s point of view, sport — no matter how elite — was off the table.
But there were a few exceptions to the ban. Travellers from the UK could, with some serious effort, secure entry into the country if they got together a huge amount of paperwork and agreed to quarantine: either for two weeks in Germany, or for ten days in another country. For most riders, this was still unsurpassable – after all, with businesses to run and strings of horses to ride, spending three weeks abroad for one competition isn’t possible. As a result, the withdrawals came thick and fast.
Mollie Summerland and Charly van ter Heiden. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
As Luhmühlen week dawned, two British riders and a small smattering of British-based foreign riders were on their way to the event, having used events and training bases abroad as a way to notch up the requisite quarantine time. On Saturday, the 12th of June, the German government loosened its grasp to allow British-based riders to make the trip sans quarantine, but by then it was too late for most to get organised; ultimately, just two further riders made use of the new exemption.
This afternoon saw all 24 entrants complete the dressage phase, and their job wasn’t an easy one: just as in the CCI4*-S before them, the ground jury wasn’t prepared to give away any freebies. Another hurdle has been the heat; each day at the event has been a stifling, energy-sapping 34 degrees Celsius (that’s 93, for you Yanks). While horses acclimatise quickly to these extreme temperatures, riders have to work hard to overcome the mind-numbing, reaction-slowing effect of shifting from the cold, rainy temperatures of late into these conditions.
Mollie Summerland and Charly van ter Heiden. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Though the enormous original British entry list has been decimated, the remaining contenders in the hunt are strong — and in today’s dressage phase, one reigned supreme. 23-year-old Mollie Summerland comes forward for just her second five-star with her self-produced Hanoverian gelding Charly van ter Heiden, but after notching up a tenth place finish in an exceptionally high-class field at Pau last season, hopes and expectations alike have been high for their sophomore performance.
While they didn’t rival their own 25.5 at Pau last year, the pair made the best of the tough conditions to produce a slick, elegant test for 29 – one of just three sub-30 marks awarded in this class today. The test itself rewards supple, rideable horses: the trot work features changes of bend from the half-pass into an 8m circle, and a shoulder-in on the centreline into a change of bend around the short side. For Mollie, who’s a rare event rider who’d happily do pure dressage, the challenges of the test were there to be seized.
“He is a beautiful horse on the flat,” says Mollie, who trains with British dressage supremo Carl Hester. “I was actually a little bit disappointed when I finished as I knew I’d missed a change, which was costly. But I’m really glad that he got the result that he deserves.”
For Mollie, tackling Luhmühlen is about gaining further experience for the future — and learning to cope with the unique pressure of being at the top of the board is certainly an educational moment.
“It’s not ideal, as crazy as that sounds, to be in the lead, because it’s only my second-ever five-star so it’s a hell of a lot of pressure to deal with tomorrow to go out in that position. But I’m just going to try to enjoy the moment today and then forget about it tomorrow, because I very much need to ride the horse I’ve got underneath me,” she says. “He’s a young horse and I’d be very inexperienced myself as well, so I’m going to try not to let it go to my head too much when I’m riding around tomorrow — I’ll try to put him first and not ride for the result he’s had today. I know there’s very experienced horses and riders close behind me, as well. I don’t expect to be in this position tomorrow and certainly not Sunday, but it’s nice to take the lead now.”
Tim Price and Ascona M. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Just a hair’s breadth behind Mollie and Charly are 2019 Luhmühlen victors Tim Price and Ascona M, who began their journey to Luhmühlen at Ireland’s Millstreet Horse Trials and then, like Mollie and Charly, headed to the Breda base of Dutch Olympian Tim Lips. They posted a 29.1 to sit second, followed just as closely by Tim’s other ride, 2018 Burghley victor Ringwood Sky Boy on a 29.2.
“Ascona’s always on the edge of being extremely pissed off that I’m asking her all these questions, but she held it together and stayed with me, so we were able to have a nice, flowing test,” says Tim with a laugh about his ‘extremely talented — and just extreme’ mare.
Tim Price and his 2018 Burghley winner Ringwood Sky Boy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
This is a return visit to the event not just for previous winner Ascona M, but for Ringwood Sky Boy, too – though he’s best known for storming around the likes of Badminton and Burghley, he was fourth here in 2016, a result that helped him to clinch a spot at the Rio Olympics. Today’s performance bested his 2016 first-phase result by half a mark.
“Ringwood Sky Boy is just an old saint – even if he’s feeling particularly energetic or distracted, he knows to try hard and to focus. He did just that today,” says Tim. “I can’t ask for more from him; he doesn’t like to stand still, but he tried and didn’t do too badly, and the rest was really good. I’m really pleased with him – he’s not a dressage horse, but he’s an allrounder.”
Michael Jung’s debutant puts himself in a competitive early position. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sitting pretty in fourth place — and best of the home side — is Michael Jung, who posted a 30.1 with nine-year-old five-star debutant fischerWild Wave. He’s followed by France’s Maxime Livio, whose own five-star first-timer Vegas des Boursons put a 30.9 on the board after a consistent and pleasant test that earned 8s for the final flying change and the collectives.
France’s Maxime Livio and Vegas des Boursons sit fifth on 30.9. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
If anyone can rival the British-based riders for sheer force of will in getting to Luhmühlen, surely it’s the two remaining American competitors in the field.
“Erik [Duvander] is all in, so I’m all in, too – and my owners are too,” says Jennie Brannigan, who sits sixth overnight with Stella Artois on a 31.2, just a couple of marks above her previous effort at the level earlier this year.
“She did a 29 at Kentucky and I wasn’t very happy with [the test], and so to be on a 31 here and be happier with it — it is what it is! But at least she’s right up there. I’ll just try to end on it, and then we’ll be happy,” Jennie says.
Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois sit sixth overnight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Those improvements in the overall feeling of the work have come from a concerted effort to fine-tune the big, strong mare’s rideability.
“She was really running off with me at Kentucky in the trot, so I felt like that was a bit smoother, and I thought my changes were better here; they were all correct and I could trust them a bit more,” she says. “She’s quite big for me, to be honest — she’s more of a Boyd Martin-sized horse, really. I’ve always said that he should ride her, not me! She’s long, too, so she’s a lot of horse for me, to be honest. It’s been all about getting her a bit more rideable so I can hang onto her.”
Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
There were some surprises through the course of the day, particularly in the hotly-anticipated test produced by Germany’s Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S, who posted a mid-20s score befitting the rider’s family dressage business when making their debut at Pau last season. Since then, Christoph has refined his fitness plan with the gelding, who he opted to withdraw before cross-country at that five-star debut — and though Carjatan is now visibly stronger and fitter than he’s ever been, that can translate to tricky moments in the ring. Though much of their work was wholly impressive, expensive mistakes in the canter work – plus a further two marks docked for entering the arena late – puts them on an uncharacteristic 32.1 for seventh place overnight.
All smiles for Emilie Chandler as she heads out of the ring with Gortfadda Diamond in eighth place. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Just behind them on a 32.4 is a second rider representing Great Britain: Emilie Chandler and Gortfadda Diamond were the only British combination to take advantage of the eleventh-hour exemption to the travel ban, swiftly rerouting from Bicton’s CCI4*-L to tackle Luhmühlen instead. They got their trip off to a flying start by slotting into eighth place, while German five-star debutant pair Malin Hansen-Hotopp and the Trakehner gelding Monsieur Schnabel impressed early on in the draw with their soft, communicative performance to earn a 32.5 and overnight ninth.
Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Monsieur Schnabel. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Rounding out the top ten is another previous Luhmühlen winner – lest you make the mistake of thinking that a leaderboard with just three sub-30 scores on it isn’t still serious business. New Zealand’s Jonelle Price climbed to the win here in 2018 with Faerie Dianimo, and though her 32.5 today doesn’t quite match the 27.1 she produced on that occasion, they still remain well in the hunt as we look ahead to tomorrow’s tough cross-country phase.
Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo navigate Luhmühlen’s spooky arena. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan, the second American pair on the entry list, sit just shy of the top ten in overnight eleventh on their score of 33.8.
“He gets a little nervous and anxious, and he’s still getting stronger, so it was a big step in the right direction for him,” says Ariel of her Irish Sport Horse gelding, with whom she finished tenth at Burghley in 2019. “There’s a lot to do, still, but he went in there and he tried and was pretty trustworthy, so I have to be proud of him for that.”
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan sit just outside the top ten in overnight eleventh. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tactical use of the available schooling opportunities helped Ariel prepare for their moment in the spotlight.
“There’s plenty to look at in there, with the cross-country jumps and everything, but they gave us a lot of time to ride in there [in arena familiarisation sessions], so he was actually pretty settled. Usually they’d spook at the jumps and get a little bit excited, but it actually felt alright,” she continues.
He’s gotten pretty solid in the trot, but in the canter work he can sometimes threaten a kick out. He’s a big horse, and he’s Irish — and by Master Imp — so he’s got all those things and it’s really taken a long time [for him to mature]. But he’s the most genuine horse in the world; there’s not a mean bone in his body and he really tries. If he makes a mistake it’s because he’s trying too hard. We’re just starting to find it on the flat – there’s a lot left in there, so I’m looking forward to that, but I think his brain is in a good place.”
The top ten after dressage in Luhmühlen’s CCI5*.
The top ten after the culmination of dressage in the CCI4*-S.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH reign supreme again. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
If there’s anyone who can handle the heat it’s the man with ice water in his veins, and Michael Jung and the extraordinary fischerChipmunk FRH surprised absolutely no one by heading straight to the top of the CCI4*-S leaderboard earlier this afternoon.
“I’m very happy,” says Michael. “He was so lovely to ride; very calm and concentrated, and very good listening to my every signal. In the warm-up on the days before he gave me a very good feeling, so I’m very pleased with that.”
For Michael, the best of the test wasn’t found in any particular movement, but in the overall feeling and picture of the test as a whole.
“For me, it’s everything together. When you sit on the horse you have the feeling that he’s completely relaxed but also in a good power and listening to you — this is great. Then you go from point to point in the dressage test and everything’s good; there’s still maybe something you can do better but everything you do works really well. The trot, the walk, the canter, the changes, the half-pass — everything went as I wish.”
Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville sit third. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Yesterday’s leaders, Sandra Auffarth and Let’s Dance 73 remain in second place on their score of 22, followed closely behind by fellow countrywoman Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville, who sit third on 23.9. This is a pivotal competition for Julia and her up-and-coming mare, who won the four-star at Saumur earlier this year and is the top Tokyo prospect for the rider, whose top horse Samourai du Thot had to be retired unexpectedly earlier this year after losing an eye in an accident.
“She’s a mare, and she could be a little bit hot in the dressage, so we’ve changed a few things in the training and the warm-up and now she’s super relaxed,” says Julia. “So I went in not sure of how relaxed she would be, but she has been really nice these days and I was fairly confident she would be good. I started smiling halfway through the canter — I thought, okay, we’re going to be fine!”
Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tim Price sits fourth on relatively new ride and Strzegom winner Vitali on a 26.4, showing an enormous amount of potential for the future as the partnership progresses.
“I was really happy — it’s the best we’ve done, so I can’t be too disappointed,” says Tim. “I just know he can challenge the leaders one day, but it’s early days yet. I took him on last October, and we went straight into the winter showjumping and training, and this is our second time in a four-star ring. This was much better than that, but we’re in a place now where I really think I can go for more. He’s got this lovely canter with natural activity, so that’s just there no matter what — but the trot is a bit more of a genuine entity in terms of reflecting what we’re doing and where we’re going. I think that’s feeling a lot better, so I can ride nicer shapes on him. He’s got such a nice medium trot, so it’s fun to go and do a test like this where you can show it off three times.”
Tim Lips and Herby. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dutch Olympian Tim Lips rounds out the top five on his Tokyo prospect TMX Herby, who put a 26.6 on the board with his accurate, attractive test.
“He did a wonderful job – he’s only nine years old, but he feels like he’s born for this atmosphere,” he says. “He wasn’t that impressed by it, so I’m really happy. I think he was very regular in his test; he didn’t really make a mistake – I think, to be honest, we can do much better, but it’s maybe because I didn’t want to take all the risks today. I know that they are not giving the points away. Normally you’d think this is a disappointing score for us, but if you look at the scores, it’s all relative.”
Both classes will head into cross-country tomorrow, beginning with the CCI5* from 11.00 a.m. local time/10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. Eastern, followed by the CCI4*-S at 13.05 local/12.05 BST/7.05 a.m. Eastern. As always, you can follow along with all the action live on Horse&CountryTV. Until tomorrow, folks, Go Eventing!
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