Olympic rider Julia Krajewski heads a German top three in the CCI4*-S Memser Trophy following the conclusion of the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage.
Julia and Bernd Heicke’s Uelzener’s Nickel were clapped out of the arena by an enthusiastic crowd after delivering a dazzling 22.9. This gets the pair off to a flying start as they defend their German national champion crown.
Julia and Nickel started as they meant to go on, receiving eights from judges Joachim Dimmek at C and Joanne Jarden at E for the first three movements. The test showed ease and confidence from the 12-year-old Paris Olympic gelding and the judges rewarded the wonderful partnership on display with an 8.5 and nine for harmony of horse and rider.
Julia Krajewski said “today was perfect” following her Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage.
“Nickel really loves this stadium. He can be a bit tense sometimes, depending where we go, but he knows this place,” she said.
“There’s always things that I know I want to improve on. I’d say canter work is his strength. The trot is not the most forward naturally, but I think the judges have got used to it. I was very happy with the halts and just his general attitude, he was very workman-like and I could really ride him.”
Julia added that Nickel is a “crowd favourite”.
“Once he’s done, it was the same in Paris, he walks out of the arena like: ‘Ok, this is what I deserved, come and cheer for me’,” she said.
“It’s really nice that he feels comfortable in this atmosphere.”
A German top three
Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Bodil Ipsen’s 14-year-old Carlitos Quidditch K hold provisional second on a score of 27 – just 0.2 of a penalty separating them and Julia on her second ride, Michael Spurl’s 12-year-old gelding Tullabeg Platinum. This class is a key selection trial for the German team ahead of the World Championships; five horses from the A squad are among the entries including Malin and Carlitos Quidditch K and Julia with both her rides.
Last to go in the dressage was Belgium’s Lara De Liederkerke-Meier and home-bred Kiarado d’Arville, son of her former championship ride Nooney Blue. They are fourth overnight on 27.3.
There are no Brits on the CCI4*-S card this year, but British-based riders to make the journey include New Zealander Samantha Lissington who held her own in this first phase. She is currently fifth with Lucas Stone – owned by Fiona Edwards, Neil Robertson, David Taylor, the Dubowskis and Samantha – and sixth with mare Delarado, owned by Fiona Edwards, Neil Robertson, David Taylor, the Dubowskis and Samantha.
Samantha told H&H “Luca” is still fairly new to the level, having stepped up at Blenheim last autumn, and still gaining confidence in the arena – but “nailed it” today.
“He was really with me, so it was very exciting. He’s got a lot of presence and a lovely frame,” she said.
Samantha bought the 10-year-old from Finland having found him using the EquiRatings Horse Search Complete, a data-driven equine sourcing service.
“He was someone’s only horse and he’s forever in your space. He’s a real people person, so he’s a fun member of the team with a lot of character,” she said.
“When I saw him I thought he had an athleticism about him that I really liked and a natural respect for the fences, and quite a lot of presence that I spotted fairly early on in his videos.”
Samantha posted the second best score of the day yesterday on Delarado, slotting her behind Julia and Tullabeg Platinum overnight.
“Delardo is Miss Consistent. She’s so rideable and easy and straightforward. The atmosphere never bothers her,” said Samanatha.
Aiming for Aachen
Samantha originally had Delarado entered in the CCI5* class, but switched to the CCI4*-S with her eye on the World Championships.
“I changed my mind just to get these two fit, on the road ready for Aachen. They’re both ready to do the five-star, but we’ve decided to prioritise selection for Aachen this year,” said Samantha, who has an exciting string with Defender Bramham CCI4*-S runner-up Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ also in team contention.
“I don’t think I could have done much better the last couple of days. It’s quite satisfying to deliver at an important event and have these first two days ticked, and I hope we can tick the next couple.”
Looking ahead to the cross-country tomorrow (20 June), Samantha thinks the clock will be a prominent factor.
“The main area is a lot kinder than last year, but the last minute and a half is very busy so I think the time is going to be fairly challenging to get,” she said.
A late entry
Belgium’s Senne Vervaecke and Google Van Alsingen got proceedings under way in the CCI4*-S today. The pair were a late entry having been hampered by paperwork issues, taking the starters in this class to 51. They scored 37.4 for overnight 40th.
At the halfway break this morning no one had broken the sub-30 barrier; Danish Olympic rider Peter Flarup was the closest with a 30.5 on his own 10-year-old gelding H.Carald Z, after receiving consistent scores from the judges. They will start the cross-country in seventh place.
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