Brilliant Start for Kiwi Débutantes at Luhmuhlen

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Brilliant Start for Kiwi Débutantes at Luhmuhlen

It’s been a top morning in Germany for New Zealand eventers.

Luhmuhlen débutantes Jesse Campbell and Lizzie Brown absolutely nailed their dressage tests this morning to sit in third place and fourth place respectively at the end of the first day of dressage at the CCI4* International Horse Trials, while Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer (owned by the Marley and Me Syndicate) lead the CIC3*.

Aboard the 12-year-old New Zealand-bred thoroughbred Kaapachino (owned by Jesse and Dr Craig Campbell), Campbell rode a beautiful dressage test to sit on 36.8 penalty points, just behind leader Julien Despotin (BEL) aboard Waldano on 31.9, superstar Michael Jung (GER) on La Biosthetique Sam on 34.2. Lizzie Brown (NZL) is well in touch in fourth place on Henton Attorney General (owned by Tessa Grant and Brown) on 38.2.

Fifteen of the 38-strong field have completed their dressage, with the rest to go overnight.

“He is such an incredible little horse who always tries so hard for me,” said Campbell of the bay gelding who is by Kaapstad. “I’m so lucky to have him.”

Campbell felt Kaapachino had been working well in the days leading into Luhmuhlen.

And he’s looking forward to Saturday’s cross country, which has been designed by Captain Mark Phillips.

“It looks beautiful with a lot of attention paid to the decorations . . . I think it will jump well.”

World number five eventer Jonelle Price sits on 36.8 in the CIC3*, with Ingrid Klimke (GER) on Horseware Hale Bob in second on 43.6. Her husband Tim and The Court Jester (owned by Kyrle Arscott and Mr and Mrs D Chappell) are in fourth on 48.6.

Jonelle was full of praise for her eight-year-old black gelding.

“He behaved impeccably and didn’t put a foot wrong. He has never done this test without any mistakes before, so I am super proud. He is a great mover and I am over the moon with his performance. What a great start to his first 3-star-event. I am delighted!”

And she figures the cross country course will be well-suited to Cloud Dancer, who is in his first three star competition.

Twelve of the 28 competitors in the three star have completed their dressage.

Tim is picking the time to be the big challenge in the four star cross country, while Sir Mark Todd has given it his stamp of approval.

“The course has been beautifully designed and it’s not too difficult, however there are plenty of technical questions being asked of riders and horses to make this a deserving four-star-course,” said Todd.

Other Kiwis in action overnight in the four star were Annabel Wigley on Frog Rock who sit in 12th on 52.9, and Fraser King, who is riding for The Netherlands, on Nadal who sit on 66.3.

For dressage results, head to

http://www.rechenstelle.de/2015/luhmuehlen/luhm0_010_erdre_abst.pdf

http://www.rechenstelle.de/2015/luhmuehlen/luhm0_020_erdre_abst.pdf

What: CCI 4* Luhmühlen International Horse Trials

Where: Germany

When: June 18-21

For more info: http://tgl.luhmuehlen.de/Home

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