Walk the Luhmühlen CCI4* cross-country course [VIDEO AND PICS]

Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, has a new route to its cross-country course this year, for the first time since the summer of 2011.

The track has plenty of loops in it, so riders will need to be on their toes to ensure they go the right way.

The course-designer is Mark Phillips.

Germany’s Michael Jung, twice winner of the CCI4* here, said: “I’m not totally convinced by the new route of the course. There are a lot of twists and turns which could potentially cause problems in the horse’s concentration.”

However, his compatriot Ingrid Klimke commented: “I‘m looking forward to riding the cross country on Saturday. It looks super, it’s a very friendly and inviting course for horse and rider.”

Ingrid picked out the Ariat Combination at fence 28ab as a fence to watch: “It would be easy to have a run-out there if you don’t set up properly.”

New Zealand’s Jonelle Price described the course as “on the nice side.” 

“You don’t like to say too much until you’ve ridden it, but it’s not as technical as some of the other four-stars,” she commented.

Britain’s Coral Keen, who is riding here for the first time, said: “There are lots of big wide oxers for them to jump all the way, which could make them tired at the end. There is plenty to jump and plenty of accuracy questions.”

Fellow Brit Nicky Roncoroni, another debutant here, added: “I think the time will be influential as it is twisty and when the time is tight that always leads people to make stupid mistakes. There are a lot of jumps off turns and big spreads the whole way.”

The red numbers are for the CCI4*, the blue ones are for the supporting CIC3*.

Fence 1: Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude

Fence 2: Fledermaus Hotel

Fence 3: Trakehner

Fence 4: The Charles Owen Royal Works

Fence 5ab: Kleines Dorf

Fence 6ab: Kleines Dorf

Fence 7ab: Oxer

Fence 8ab: The Charles Owen Royal Works

Fence 8b alternative

Fence 9/10: AGCO/Fendt am Waldrand

Fence 9 alternative

Fence 11: Hühnerfarm

Fence 12abc: Am Coffin

Fence 12b alternative

Fence 13: Wittinger Bierstand

Fence 14: ICE-VIBE Jump

Fence 15: Heiners Jagdhütte

Fence 16/17ab/18ab: Meßmer Teich

Fence 17c alternative

Fence 19: Birkensprung

Fence 20: Trog

Fence 21abc: Turnierplatz Hecken

Fence 21b for the CCI4* is on the right in the picture below

Fence 22ab: Longines Kombination

Fence 23: Luhmühlen Buch

Fence 24: Gärtnerei Wredes Rennbahnsprung

Fence 25: Blair Castle Crossing

Fence 26/27ab: DHL Komplex

Fence 27ab alternative route

Fence 28abc: Ariat Horses

Fence 28a alternative

Fence 29: von Ellings Fachwekhaus

Fence 30: Luhmühlen Basket

More updates from Lühmuhlen online this week, full report in the magazine, out Thursday (25 June).

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.