Nicola Wilson (GBR) and Bulana clinch second with overnight leader Bettina Hoy third on Designer 10 (GER)
By Kate Green It was an emotional moment for Germany’s Julia Krajewski when she realised she had scored the biggest win of her career after steering Samourai du Thot to victory at her home event, Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL, fifth leg of the FEI Classics™. Krajewski, 28, was third year last year at her first attempt, but now she goes home with the big prize after the fairytale failed to come true for cross country leader Bettina Hoy (GER), who is 26 years her senior. “If I hadn’t taken a pull, my horse wouldn’t have hit fence eight as he didn’t want to touch a pole. I thought ‘damn’, but there were so few clear rounds and when Bettina had her fence and time faults, that’s how it happens sometimes and you’re a four-star winner!” Julia Krajewski (GER), winner There had been little difference in the leaderboard after a straightforward cross country phase, but a challenging jumping track certainly shook up the order, with only four clear rounds without time penalties from the 34 finishers. Krajewski, second after Saturday’s cross country, hit the back rail of fence eight, and Britain’s Nicola Wilson, third before jumping on Bulana, jumped clear but added a frustrating three time faults to finish a mere 0.7 behind in second place, a career best for the 2012 Olympic team silver medallist who has been a solid pathfinder for the British team. “It was an expensive time fault or two, but Bulana gets better and better and better.” Nicola Wilson (GBR), runner-up Hoy’s problems started with a sticky jump over the fifth fence on Designer 10 and the horse then didn’t get high enough over the sixth for a rail down. That, plus three time penalties, dropped the newly crowned national champion (Hoy won the German championships earlier in the day) to third place. Marilyn Little (USA) was clear to move up to fourth place on RF Scandalous and Maxime Livio (FRA), currently runner-up in the FEI Classics, was also foot-perfect, rising six places to fifth on Opium de Verrieres. Livio has now managed to narrow the gap with runaway FEI Classics™ leader Michael Jung (GER) to just six points, and Wilson has sprung from 11th place in the rankings to third, so a thrilling finish is guaranteed at the finale at Burghley (GBR) in September. Final result: 1. Julia Krajewski/Samourai du Thot (GER) 37.1 + 0 + 4 = 41.1 2. Nicola Wilson/Bulana (GBR) 38.7 + 0 + 3 = 41.7 3. Bettina Hoy/Designer 10 (GER) 36.0 + 0 + 7 = 43.0 FULL RESULTS FEI Classics™ series leaderboard, after five of six events: 1Michael Jung (GER)39 2Maxime Livio (FRA)33 3Nicola Wilson (GBR)20 4Andrew Nicholson (NZL)15 5Julia Krajewski (GER)15 6Hazel Shannon (AUS)15 7Wilhelm Enzinger (AUS)12 8Tim Price (NZL)10 9Zara Tindall (GBR)10 10Bettina Hoy (GER)10 FULL STANDINGS Julia Krajewski (GER) second with Samourai du Thot and Marilyn Little (USA) third on RF Scandalous By Kate Green Bettina Hoy (GER), who is currently enjoying a rich run of form, leads after Dressage at Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL (GER) and has a great chance of winning her home country’s premier event, the fifth leg of the FEI Classics™, since triumphing here in 2005 on Ringwood Cockatoo. Triple Olympian Hoy, 54, who divides her time between competing, caring for her elderly parents and training the Dutch Eventing team, is renowned for her artistry in the Dressage arena and showed the way to younger riders with a mark of 36.0 on her 13-year-old Westphalian gelding Designer 10. “Designer was really relaxed today. I was a little annoyed about the small fault we had in the first extended trot, but otherwise he felt great. In fact, the last trot was so good I almost forgot to halt for the final salute!” Bettina Hoy (GER) Julia Krajewski (GER), who made a sparkling four-star debut here last year when third on the athletic Selle Francais Samurai du Thot, is second on 37.1 and US rider Marilyn Little, riding the mare RF Scandalous, a newcomer to this level, is third on 38.0. Britain’s Nicola Wilson conjured a mark of 38.7 on the lively black mare Bulana, a notably bold cross-country performer, for overnight fourth. Michael Jung (GER), the clear leader in the FEI Classics™ series, is not riding in the 4* at Luhmühlen, but Maxime Livio (FRA), currently second in the standings and winner of Pau and runner-up to Jung at Kentucky, is and is lying in 12th place on Opium de Verrieres. Badminton winner Andrew Nicholson (NZL), third on the Classics leaderboard, is 29th on Tesio ahead of what promises to be an exciting cross-country day. “Everything has been built beautifully with some big jumps, which should not be underestimated. [New course-designer] Mike Etherington-Smith [GBR] has created something very different, which has been positively received.” Hans Melzer, German team trainer Luhmühlen, Germany’s main championship venue, is celebrating its 60th anniversary – it’s the second oldest event in the FEI Classics™ after Badminton – and has received a royal visit from its patron. “There is so much that is excellent about Luhmühlen: the course, the way it’s run, the hospitality and the way everyone is treated. Over 60 years there have been so many people who rose to the occasion.” HRH The Princess Royal Cross-country action on FEI TV (www.fei.tv) starts at 12.05 CEST. The FEI Nations Cup heads stateside for the fifth event in the 2017 series taking Great Britain to The Plains, USA, in the state of Virginia. British Eventing are pleased to announce the four British based riders who will compete for GB from 8th – 9th July.
The team are, in alphabetical order; Matthew Heath, 34 from Oxfordshire, riding his own and Mrs Hazel Livesey’s 10 year old gelding One of a Kind II Ben Hobday, 29 from Northumberland, with Ms Sallie Ryle’s 15 year old gelding Mulrys Error Nicky Roncoroni, 38 from Gloucestershire, and Lorna McWilliam and Mrs Janey Roncoroni’s 12 year old gelding Watts Burn James Sommerville, 29 from North Yorkshire, on his own and Mrs Jennifer Sommerville’s 11 year old gelding Talent American based Brit, Justine Dutton takes the reserve spot with Jak My Style. Matthew, Ben and James all make their senior team debut for GB alongside Nicky who was part of the silver medal winning Nations Cup team at the recent Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland. Three events in the series have now been completed and GB currently hold first place in the overall standings with 270 points following a second place finish at all three competitions. Before the USA leg of the series four riders will head to Austria on 30th June – 2nd July for the fourth competition in calendar – view the selected team HERE. A full list of results can be found HERE. The 2017 calendar: 17 - 21 May: CICO 3* Strzegom (POL) – GB 2nd place 25 - 28 May: CICO 3* Houghton Hall (GBR) - GB 2nd place 31 May - 4 June: CICO 3* Tattersalls (IRL) – GB 2nd place 30 June - 2 July: CICO 3* Wiener Neustadt (AUT) 8 - 9 July: CICO 3* The Plains (USA) 19 - 23 July: CICO 3* Aachen (GER) 10-13 August: CICO 3* Le Haras du Pin (FRA) 22 - 24 September: CICO 3* Waregem (BEL) 5 - 8 October: CCIO 3* Boekelo (NED) On Thursday 25th May, Her Majesty The Queen visited Eland Lodge Equestrian Centre to see the exceptional equestrian facilities in action. The private visit was conducted within the Needwood Survey which is part of The Duchy of Lancaster Estate owned by Her Majesty The Queen as The Duke of Lancaster. Eland Lodge is preparing for their second fixture of 2017, held on 1st and 2nd July 2017 and entries are still open (ballot date Friday 9th June) and you can make your entry HERE. Classes run at BE80(T), BE90, BE100, and Novice through a combination of grass and woodland, the mixture of flora and the undulating nature of the ground makes for an interesting and exhilarating ride around our cross country course. From an inviting BE80(T) course, which features smaller versions of some of our popular fences, through to our up to height technical and testing Novice course, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Eland Lodge. The well organised, friendly event also has to offer a photographer, filmed rounds, shopping and food stalls. On her arrival Her Majesty, dressed in royal blue, proceeded to the Royal Viewing Platform. Among those presented to The Queen were John and Veronica Coupland of Eland Lodge Equestrian. Managing Director John Coupland spoke about the visit “We are extremely happy that Her Majesty has made time in an incredibly busy schedule to visit the Needwood Survey and Eland Lodge in particular. The whole country knows of Her Majesty’s love of horses and we are thrilled to have had the chance to show off the equestrian centre we have created here at Eland Lodge. We have commitment to entry level riding and believe whole heartedly in the development of the next generation of riders through training, competition and enjoyment and it was a wonderful endorsement of that belief to have Her Majesty on site to watch four members of the Pony Club demonstrating their excellent skill on our Cross Country course. It was a very special day for all concerned!”. From the viewing platform, The Queen enjoyed the view over the 65 acre cross country course and watched a small team of riders tackling a number of fences and combinations, including the Newborough Leap, Dubarry Water complex, the Dew Pond, the Broken Bridge and the Log Stacks. Riding the course were four local Pony Club members: India Edwards & Josie Coupland from the South Staffordshire Hunt Branch of The Pony Club, and Sally Ann Turkington & Izzy Mead from the Meynell Hunt Branch of The Pony Club. Once the demonstration was complete, the riders were presented to the Queen. Izzy Mead, rider, said: “I was really nervous but so excited to ride for The Queen. All the horses were brilliant and I’m really proud of my horse Cracker! It was an amazing experience to meet The Queen.” Once the presentation was complete, Her Majesty was driven through the site to take in the on-site equestrian & country store, livery yard and all weather show jumping and dressage arena. Increased prize money and changes to the cross country course at Nunney International Horse Trials, which take place on June 16 – 18, have resulted in a bumper number of competitors this year with a wait list for the first ever time.
The action takes place over three days at Southfield House near Frome with the Tarmac-sponsored international CIC2* taking place on Sunday. Entries in this class include previous winners David Doel who will ride Shannondale Quest, a winner this season of Bicton Arena’s CIC2* and Coral Keen who will ride Highmead Proposition. “It’s an event I really enjoy,” remarked Coral who won in 2013 on Zoe. “I missed last year as I was riding at Luhmuhlen in Germany but I am really looking forward to this year’s competition which has always been so beautifully organised an everyone is so friendly.” Helen West has taken over this year as cross country designer, and a number of changes have been implemented including changing the direction of the courses. “I am really happy with the feel to all tracks, which have a good balance of questions at each level and better flow with the change in direction. I am looking forward to seeing how they ride,” she said. The event has attracted some notable entries including William Fox-Pitt who will compete on Jock Paget’s former ride Clifton Signature in the open intermediate. Also in this section is fellow Olympic team rider Gemma Tattersall who rides Pamero 4 and the 2016 Chatsworth CIC3* winner Mr Chunky returns to action after a year on the side lines with Irish team rider Padraig McCarthy in the saddle. The event has attracted a wealth of other international stars including Australia’s Christopher Burton, New Zealand’s Tim Price, and Great Britain’s Tom McEwen, Izzy Taylor and Richard Waygood who is also the performance manager for the senior British Eventing team. Organiser Bridget Parker said: “We’ve had a super number of entries and we’ve had to ballot for the first time, and also have a wait list. I think the increase in prize money to the upper limit and the changes to the cross country course have helped. The course now comes up out of the water to a steeplechase fence. The extra field has made a huge difference too as its really opened up the course. It’s now a lovely galloping track. “We are also thrilled to have the support of Mendip YMCA, on behalf of our landowner and committee member Mrs Angel Yeoman.” Hundreds of visitors are expected to flock to the venue to enjoy watching the action, as well browse the many tradestands and sample food from an eclectic array of catering stands. Entry to the event is free on Friday and £12 per car on Saturday and Sunday. The cross country for the CIC2* and intermediate classes is scheduled for Sunday starting at 10am, but there is action over the fixed fences on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with showjumping in the main arena in front of the house over all three days too. Visit www.nunneyhorsetrials.co.uk for more details. Since 1981, the name Rolex has been synonymous with the Kentucky Three-Day Event, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington each spring.
But starting in 2018, Rolex will no longer be the title sponsor of the event. Organizing company Equestrian Events Inc. has announced the rebranding of the event with a new logo and website, kentuckythreedayevent.com. EEI Executive Director Lee Carter has said that although Rolex will no longer be a title sponsor of the event, which has run as a CCI**** since 1998, the company will still have a strong presence. Rolex has a contract to remain the official timepiece through the 2021 competition. “We would not be where we are today without Rolex watch,” said Carter. “They’ve been a tremendous partner over the years and will continue to be a tremendous partner in the years to come, just in a different capacity. They’ve been a great asset for our organization.” Rolex has a contract for the Grand Slam of Eventing which extends through to 2019, offering a $350,000 prize to any rider who can win Kentucky, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI**** (England) and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (England) consecutively. Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell became the first to win the Grand Slam in 2003, and Germany’s Michael Jung won it in 2016. It is believed that the Kentucky Horse Park has a separate contract with Rolex through 2020 for the main Rolex Stadium. “The name [of the event] has become synonymous with Rolex, but I think at the end of the day what’s exciting for us is that the event hasn’t changed and won’t change. We’re going to continue to do many the things we’ve been doing; we’re just taking on a different title,” said Carter. “We have a huge following of people who love to come to the Kentucky Horse Park, love to see the caliber of competition, and those things will always be there. We just may call ourselves something a little different next year.” Here is hoping they find a new title sponsor for an event which is now embedded into the eventing calendar. |
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