For this week’s edition of Throwback Thursday, let’s rewind to Luhmühlen 2017, which featured this fierce yet adorable leadline cross country competition on show jump day! See the original post here, and keep it locked on EN for all the latest news from this year’s event!
#Luhmühlen: Website, Entries & Scoring, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
European events go out of their way to keep the crowd entertained at all times — I’ve seen a falconry demonstration at Luhmühlen, a mock hunt (replete with actual dead animal on a string) at Boekelo, and a Dirty Dancing line-dance themed award ceremony at Pau. But I’ve not yet witnessed anything as adorable as the mid-afternoon leadline cross country class here at Luhmühlen.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The pony brigade entered the ring and, in the spirit of a proper cross country competition, the excitement began immediately, with one feisty mount pitching its toddler straight into the arms of his handler. The ponies began filing in one-by-one to tackle the course, a miniature obstacle course that included a brush, a log jump and even a teensy-tiny water.
Faces of determination:
-
- Photo by Leslie Wylie.
-
- Photo by Leslie Wylie.
-
- Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Here’s a wee video:
After everyone had successfully completed their rounds, the judging committee, which included Michael Jung, deliberated on their performances.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Meanwhile the kids grew restless on the sidelines.
They were offered refreshment from the Stirrup Cup …
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
… which I assume was water, although this kiddo’s face indicates that it may have been something stiffer.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
In the end, of course, they were all winners. Each received a rosette, their very own Willbury Wonderpony, and a job-well-done from Princess Anne.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
