Tom McEwen shares frustation over Luhmühlen CCI4*-S dressage score

British rider Tom McEwen pictured with JL Dublin at Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4*-S 2024. — Tom McEwen and JL Dublin in the Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4*-S dressage.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tom McEwen has shared his “disappointment” over his Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI4*-S dressage score with Paris hopeful JL Dublin.

Tom and the 13-year-old gelding, owned by Jo and James Lambert and Deidre Johnston, scored 28.4 to sit in overnight 10th ahead of the cross-country phase tomorrow (15 June).

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

‘It is what it is’: top Brit’s frustration over ‘disappointing’ Luhmühlen dressage score

“I was shocked when I came out with a 28 if I’m honest,” said Tom. “I’m super disappointed, it was poor by [the judges].

“He was balanced, soft, and set up in every corner. I think maybe they’re looking for you to go 10 to the dozen and flat out round it – I’ve got absolutely no idea. But it is what it is.”

Tom scored mostly sevens throughout, with one judge scoring him a five for one of his flying changes.

“I think they’re set within their marks and I’m not very sure what they’re looking for,” said a frustrated Tom, who added that JL Dublin “felt amazing”.

“In comparison to other tests he’s done, Kronenberg was incredible but to be honest not that far different from today. Kronenberg probably showed a little bit more power,” said Tom.

“For me today was a much better test than Kentucky. The positives, Kentucky was a little bit quick but this was really together, so I’m delighted with him.”

Tom is now looking ahead to the cross-country phase tomorrow.

“There’s plenty of questions and plenty of lines. It’s like an Olympics in Germany with the course, so for me it’s a perfect set up,” he said.

“There’s areas of intensity, areas where you can flow – the areas where you can flow you’re flying through the woods, it’s going to be quite tough.”

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