Lindsey Taylor and Shamwari 4 at Luhmühlen. Photo by Jenni Autry.
1. The spectators practically rushed the judges’ boxes when Andrew Hoy’s score was mistakenly posted as a 41.0 on the board — much too low considering poor Rutherglen nervously pranced his way through the test. It was ultimately corrected to a 52.7, but the point is that watching dressage in Germany is a whole different ball game. Every tiny bobble is met with hushed whispers and gasps from the very educated crowd. As Phillip Dutton said, “Every spectator knows everything about breeding and the horses and riders.”
2. CCI4* cross country will probably be over by the time you wake up tomorrow, as the last rider sets out on course at 6:34 a.m. EST. But if you are awake, FEI TV will be live streaming all the action starting at 9 a.m. local time, or 3 a.m. EST. Good friend of EN John Kyle will be offering his excellent commentary, and be sure to follow him on Twitter at @johnkylespeaks. He’s set a goal to get more Twitter followers than his better half Pippa Roome, and I assured him the EN community would be happy to help. Sorry, Pippa!
3. Our two Americans, Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin, made up 25 percent of the helmet wearers in dressage at Luhmühlen. A total of 12 out of 52 riders opted for hard hats, which is 23 percent of the field. I spoke with Bettina Hoy about why she chooses to wear a helmet, and she offered some powerful insight as to the reasoning behind her decision. She also was happy to take a photo with Chinch, and we’re proud to call her a friend of EN.
4. Phillip and Boyd are in a very good position to make a serious bid for the World Equestrian Games team. Sitting in 10th and 12th after dressage with Mighty Nice and Shamwari 4, they’re right in that score range the selectors want to see on 46.0 and 47.8. Tomorrow was always going to be important, but it’s even more crucial now to have fast and clear trips over Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross-country course.
5. Much to my dismay, it’s not possible to say “Go Eventing” in German the same way we say it in English, as Silva Martin sadly informed me during our interview after Boyd’s test. What gives, Germany? First you take all the best medals at the Olympics, and now you have to take away our signature catch phrase too? Not cool, Germany. Not cool.
Luhmühlen Links: [Website] [Live Scores] [EN’s Luhmühlen Coverage] [@eventingnation] [EN’s Instagram]
