Paul Tapner and Inonothing are one of the Australian combinations hoping for success this weekend
Photo: blog.talkinghorse.net
An Eventful Life will be reporting from Germany this week to capture the excitement of the Luhmuhlen CCI 4*.
As well as being one of the FEI HSBC Classic Series this event is a critical selection event for many riders, especially some Australian riders as the final Australian team nomination is expected shortly after the event.
There are now nine Australian combinations competing as Clayton Fredericks has withdrawn his two horses Bendigo and Walterstown Don. Lucinda has also withdrawn The Navigator but is still starting Flying Finish. The list of Australian starters is currently;
Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hampton
Catherine Burrell and Urzan
Emma Dougall and Kelecyn Ice Age
Lucinda Fredericks and Flying Finish
Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen
Kevin McNab and Clifton Pinot
Wendy Schaeffer and Koyuna Sun Dancer
Paul Tapner with Inonothing and Caicos
Following the announcement of the Team GB eventing tem it is not surprising that there are few British entries this year but there are plenty of Kiwis. New ZEalnder Andrew Nicholson has three horses – Shady Grey, Calico Joe and Mr Cruise Control and will no doubt be out to impress selectors as well as gain valuable points in the classics series where he currently sits second behind long-time rival William Fox-Pitt. With $US150,000 for the series winner there is plenty at stake. The final leg of the series is at Burghley in late August
Andrew Nicholson is no stranger to Luhmulen and says it's a very tough event to shine at.
"It's a proper four star," he says. "The standard of dressage is always very high. They have a very good arena (for the dressage) which the horses work well on. It's the same for the showjumping too, but with a good surface comes big courses."
He's done well there in the past, and is expecting good things from Mr Cruise Control who did his first four star event there in 2010 and finished fourth. Fellow Kiwis Mark Todd will start on Major Milestone as well as Megan Heath and her own St Daniel.
Another familiar face at Luhmuhlen will be Boyd Martin who will be riding the Australian bred horse Ying Yang Yo. Stay tuned throughout the next few days for all the news and great photos from Libby Law on the spot in Luhmuhlen for An Eventful Life
