Tim Price rides Vitali through the CCI5* water at Luhmuhlen 2022
Preparations are in full swing for this year’s Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen, to take place from 15th -18th June 2023, with increased prize money for the CCI5* and a new direction for the cross country course
Luhmühlen's course director Mike Etherington-Smith has decided to turn the direction of the cross-country courses again as ‘a great way to give variety and interest to the course’
“I don't want to give too much away, but all the water complexes have a different look this time. The ground around the Longines and Messmer waters have been landscaped, which gives more variety in the future.
Changing the direction requires a complete review of the 'package' of the courses to get the balance and the flow and feel good whilst trying to come up with new ideas. The courses need to work together - designing one on its own is much more straightforward than having two courses which have to complement each other.
The safety of horse and rider is at all times paramount - our number one priority - which is not only mirrored in the use of frangible devices (MIM systems) but directs all of our planning decisions”, explains Mike Etherington-Smith. This year, Kai-Steffen Meier is involved as assistant course-designer.
Mike Etherington-Smith, cross country course designer with Kai-Steffen Meier
Riders from around the world are expected to compete and Event Director Julia Otto is excited about potential entries, saying “Obviously, it’s way too early to predict the rider’s plans this far in advance but quite a few riders have already made it clear that they’d like to come to the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials.
Four German riders are expected to compete in the Longines CCI5*-L, lots of others will try to recommend themselves for the European Championships in Haras du Pin by successfully competing in the Meßmer Trophy / German Championships.
We are also very pleased that several international Luhmühlen winners have announced their plans to travel to Luhmühlen again.”
Thanks to the support of its sponsors, the Longines CCI5*-L prize money will be increased from EUR 100,000 to EUR 125,000, complying with the new FEI requirements for the organisation of the highest category of eventing, giving the riders even more reason to vie for the prestigious CCI5* title
Away from the eventing, there will be plenty to keep the spectators occupied. The Kids Cross-Country Fun is a big favourite and the Friday programme includes this perfect pairing of children and ponies.
On Saturday, Lisa Röckener’s show will demonstrate how to combine eventing with horsemanship and on Sunday, Wildpark Lüneburger Heide’s falconers will present a bird flight show.
Kids cross country fun - judged by Tokyo Olympic Eventing Individual Gold Medallist, Julia Krajewski in 2022
