HSBC FEI Classics™ Eventing: Germans Lead the Way at Luhmuehlen

Germany’s Michael Jung, 26, rode La Biosthetique – Sam FBW to finish on his dressage score to win the Luhmuehlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON Avacon Vertrieb (GER), the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™, in Germay today. His first four-star win – and on his first attempt at this level.

Michael was in 14th position after the Dressage and was one of only two competitors to achieve the optimum time of 10 minutes 23 seconds on the Cross Country.

The Germans filled the one, two, three slots on the final day of competition. The overnight leader, Olympic gold medallist Andreas Dibowski, took 2nd place with a fence down in the show jumping.

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Dirk Schrade was 3rd moving up two places with a superb clear round on Gadget de la Cere AA. He was runner-up on this horse in 2007.

The best of the Brits was Mary King on her home bred mare, Kings Temptress. She moved down one place to 4th after lowering a rail in the show jumping but at the mare’s first four-star competition Mary was thrilled with the result.

The sole American, William J Coleman, on Twizzel split the two British ladies in the top placings and finished in 5th position after jumping a clear round in the final show jumping.

Kristina Cook (GBR) knocked three show jumps and finished in 6th position.

Luhmuehlen was full of excitement from start to finish and with the 2011 FEI European Championship being planned this competition provided competitors with an ideal opportunity to look ahead.

Competition Statistics

– 17 horses came forward for the final show jumping

– 5 jumped clear rounds

– 4 had 4 penalties

– Germans were in the top 10 placings

Quotes

Michael Jung: “I was a bit nervous, but he really jumped everything perfectly. He gave me such a good feeling over the first few jumps – we met everything perfectly – that helped my confidence. It will take a couple of days to sink in that I’ve really won.”

Dirk Schrade: “There’s such a special atmosphere at Luhmuehlen, it’s unique. I always want to do well here as it’s the biggest event in Germany and I’m really happy it’s gone so well. Michael is one of the best young riders in Germany at the moment and he has a fantastic horse. Perhaps he had a little bit of luck this weekend, but it’s not really such a big surprise that he won.”

Julia Otto, Director of Luhmuehlen: “We’re very pleased; we’ve got lots of happy sponsors and equine enthusiasts which is very important. The numbers of spectators are up by 10% (to 28,000 over the three days) which is confirmation that many people are interested in eventing. We’re proud to see three German riders at the top – we’re always pleased to see so many riders from abroad, but we’re pleased the German riders are doing so well at the moment and we wish them all the best for the European Championships at Fontainebleau.”

Results

1 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique – Sam FBW (GER) 47.0 + 0 + 0 = 47.0

2 Andreas Dibowski/Euroridings Butts Leon (GER) 45.30 + 0 + 4 = 49.30

3 Dirk Schrade/Gadget de la Cere AA (GER) 41.70 + 9.20 + 0 = 50.90

4 Mary King/Kings Temptress (GBR) 46.50 + 3.20 + 4 = 53.70

5 William J Coleman/Twizzel (USA) 47.80 + 6.80 + 0 = 54.60

6 Kristina Cook/Miners Frolic (GBR) 43.0 + 6.80 + 12 = 61.80

7 Paul Tapner/Inonothing (GBR) 48.30 + 8.80 + 12 = 70.10

8 Frank Ostholt/Air Jordan 2 (GER) 33.50 + 36.80 + 0 = 70.30

9 Austin O’Connor/Pocket Rocket (IRL) 61.50 + 7.60 + 9 = 78.10

10 Sacha Pemble/I’ve been dun (GBR) 66.70 + 12.80 + 4 = 83.50