Julia Krajewski and Samourai Du Thot Photos courtesy Mariusz Chmieliński
It seems fitting that a German rider should win a competition called the ‘October Festival’ but Julia Krajewski and her 14-year-old Samourai du Thot had no need of beer to win the CCI4*-L at the Strzegom October Festival.
Julia took the lead after dressage but went down into third place after the cross-country, only to bounce back with a clear round in the show jumping. She took the win ahead of Australia’s Lea Siegl riding Fighting Line, who led after cross country and Michael Jung (GER) in third place on board Go For S.
In the CCI3*-L, the win went to Belgian rider Lara De Liedekerke-Meier with Hermione d’Arville after a clear jumping round with Mélody Johner (SUI) riding Toubleu de Rueire in second and Kamil Rajnert (POL) with Gouverneur in third.
The CCI2*-L podium was dominated by women with Mélody Johner (SUI) winning with Demoiselle Peccau, British rider Phoebe Locke in second with Clotaire de Ferivel and Anna Siemer (GER) with Lilybelle Ea was third.
The CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S short format classes ended with the cross-country after plenty of changes on the 4* leader board but it was Britain’s Phoebe Locke who secured the win (more on that soon) while second place went to Katrin Norling (SWE) with Fernando-Ukato, and third to Elmo Jankari with Soraya 243, impressively moving up from 28th place after the show jumping. The leader after dressage, Yoshiaki Oiwa with Bart L JRA, finished fourth.
Dutch rider Jordy Wilken with Wilbert BO won the 3* short class after a clear cross-country inside the time, Robert Pokorny (CZE) with Quantos Mer was second, and third place went to Rebecca Juana Gerken (GER) with Curley Boy. The best rider in the CCI1*-Intro class was Mélody Johner with Gb Keep Cool du Perchet.
Julia Gillmaier with Rarashek, Pauline Wieczorek with Czacza and Alicja Tropiło with Erez M
Strzegom October Festival also hosted the European Youth Eventing Masters for the first time. This is a new addition to the European equestrian calendar, where all youth categories competed individually and as a team.
The European Youth Eventing Masters was dominated by Polish riders in the team classifications. In the Young Riders category, the first place went to Julia Gillmaier with Rarashek, Pauline Wieczorek with Czacza and Alicja Tropiło with Erez M.
The best individual rider was Hedwig Wikström (FIN) with Pin Rock’s Fade To Black.
The winning Junior riders
Karolina Ślązak with Ganges, Weronika Król with Lismakeegan Chester, Ewelina Falkowska with Jusis and Oliwia Rapa with Kselion won the CCIO2*-L for Juniors. Camille Delvaux (BEL) was the best individually with Rock And Roll.
The Dutch team came out on top in the CCI2*-L class for ponies – the win went to Kato De Smidt with Orchid's Tigersun, Tijn De Blaauw with Orchid's Megan, Ivy Van Der Kolk with Robin Hood and Senna Van Houte with Fernhill First Lady.
Jule Krueger (GER) was the winner in the individual classification with Golden Grove Simon.
