Isabel English and Feldale Mouse at their last CCI4* in Adelaide in 2015
It’s next stop Germany for the second CCI4* star of the year at Luhmuhlen
This year the event celebrates its 60th anniversary (what a year it’s been with 60th anniversaries for Sydney, Melbourne and Luhmuhlen) and will be visited by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne
But the selectors’ eyes will be on the top European riders this year with the European Championships coming up in August. Bettina Hoy has Designer 10 in the CCI4* while Seigneur Medicott, winner at Houghton recently is in the CIC3*. She is joined by a host of Germany riders including Sandra Auffarth, Andreas Dibowski, Ingrid Klimke, Julia Krajewski, Michael Jung and Andreas Ostholt but some of them, including Michael and Ingrid are only competing in the CIC3*, in view of the European Championships which are run at 3* level. Michael has fischerRocana FST and Star Connection while Ingrid, whose horse SAP Escada FRH was retired last week due to the recurrence of an old injury, brings Horseware Hale Bob and Weisse Düne and Sandra has Opgun Louvo also entered in the CIC3*
They will be challenged by strong international contenders from around the world with the on-form French riders Astier Nicolas and Maxime Livio both in the CCI4* and a strong contingent from Britain including Pippa Funnell on Billy The Biz, Nicola Wilson on Bulana, Oliver Townend on three horses and Harry Meade bringing Away Cruising for his first 4* start
Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell and Tim Rusbridge are competing for New Zealand while Australia has four competitors including Queensland’s young Isabel English who has been based in Germany with Michael Jung recently. Katja Weimann is also having her first European start, having headed over to Europe a few weeks ago where she is hoping to stay for a while and has BP Flamboyant entered in the CCI4* and BP Escapade in the CIC3*. Emma McNab, whose husband Kevin had to withdraw due to injury has Fernhill Tabasco, one to keep an eye on, in the CIC3* and Shane Rose and Virgil are in the CCI4*
Libby Law is back in Europe and will be bringing us her fabulous photos from Luhmuhlen so stay tuned for some great coverage!
