Photo by Ginny Nayden.
We’re all excited to see if Michael Etherington Smith’s Luhmühlen CCI4* course rides as beautifully as it looks! Check out our course preview here. In advance of the cross country start, the German contingent weighs with a few thoughts on the course:
Bettina Hoy, 1st place with Designer 10:
“The course is nice, but then I really like Mike’s courses. He always asks clear questions, which makes riding so much more pleasurable for horse and rider. I think it was a good move to have the change. I am sure we will all enjoy tomorrow’s cross- country, but time could be an issue. The many loops will make it hard to stay within the optimum time.”
Julia Krajewski, 2nd place with Samourai du Thot:
“I think the cross-country looks very different this year. With a lot of technical challenges, horse and rider need to concentrate all the way round. There are quite a few drops, which might break up the rhythm. The water jumps are challenging as ever. Time might be a problem, but there are quite few stretches, where you can make up time.”
Andreas Dibowski, 7th place with FRH Butts Avedon:
“The four-star-course is nicely built with many straightforward tasks for horses and riders. I think the middle part will make staying within the optimum time tricky, as there are quite a few loops, which are time consuming. Further, I think there are a few too many drops on this course, which could have been avoided.”
Chris Bartle, former German Eventing Team co-coach and Performance Coach of the British Eventing Team:
“The course is impressive, very beautifully presented. It starts of flowing nicely to give the horses the chance to get going. Then there are some good technical questions, but always with clear lines. The course is not as challenging as some of the other four-star courses we know, but is a great track to get used to riding at four-star level. The Meßmer water complex is a challenge not to be underestimated; it’ll be interesting to see who will choose the direct route.”
Dirk Schrade, German team veteran who finished 8th in Luhmühlen CCI4* in 2015 and 6th in 2011:
“The new course looks beautiful with lots to jump. Concentration is needed to solve the questions being asked. The technical aspects of the track should not be underestimated, but everything looks fair.”
The CCI4* begins at 1:20 p.m. local time (7:20 a.m. EST). Sally is up early bringing us the live updates, and Wylie is our boots on the ground. Watch live on FEI TV and of course keep it locked on EN for all the latest from Luhmühlen 2017. Go USA! Go Eventing!
U.S. cross country ride times:
Sharon White and Cooley On Show: 1:41 p.m. local (7:41 a.m. EST)
Katherine Coleman and Longwood: 2:29 p.m. local (8:29 a.m. EST)
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous: 2:53 p.m. local (8:53 a.m. EST)
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot: 3:29 p.m. local (9:29 a.m. EST)
Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly: 3:57 p.m. local (9:57 a.m. EST)
Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly: 4:08 p.m. local (10:08 a.m. EST)
Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, XC Starting Order, Live Scores, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
