Frank Ostholt (GER) and his compatriot Simone Deitermann (GER) have pulled well clear of the field after the Dressage phase at Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON Avacon Vertrieb (GER), the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™.
Both riders, the only ones to score in the 30s, are aboard experienced horses: Olympic gold medalist Ostholt has his 2006 winner and world gold medalist Air Jordan 2, while Deitermann has her veteran Flambeau H 3, recent winner of the Marbach HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing qualifier.
Andrew Hoy (AUS) has clearly been making the most of his new base at Warendorf – the German national equestrian centre managed by Ostholt – and is lying equal 3rd on the far less experienced Grand Joca.
Hoy shares this position with Emily Baldwin (GBR), who has re-routed Drivetime after an unfortunate refusal in the lake when well-placed at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May, and Susanna Bordone (ITA) on the former Stuart Tinney (AUS) ride, Carrera.
German riders Dirk Schrade on the French-bred Anglo-Arab Gadget de la Cere AA and Kai Rüder (Leprince des Bois) occupy 6th and 7th places, ahead of Olympic bronze medalists Kristina Gifford and Miners Frolic, a galloping thoroughbred whose first CCI 4* performance will be watched with interest.
Townend’s Progress
Oliver Townend (GBR), leader of the HSBC FEI Classics™, does not have any of his nearest rivals present, but he is taking no chances and has brought three rides to try and further his points tally. He is lying 15th on Golden Hue, 18th on Jackson d’Allez and 32nd on brand new ride Sportsfield Sandyman. The latter was slipped in as a late entry – the horse was being ridden by Paul Donovan (IRL) as recently as a fortnight ago at the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing at Tattersalls (IRL).
Competition Statistics
– 35 dressage starters
– 1 horse not accepted at first horse inspection (Sacha Pemble’s Hyanie d’Aubrie, IRL)
– 8 nations represented: Germany, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Africa, USA
– 2 marks in the 30s
– Marks range from 33.5 to 72.5
– Ground jury is Christoph Hess (GER), Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Michel Asseray (FRA)
– Technical Delegate is Martin Plewa (GER)
– Cross-Country Course-Designer is Captain Mark Phillips (GBR)
Quotes
Frank Ostholt: “He [Air Jordan 2] is so cool – he knows everything, nearly too well! He just wants to do the job and he gets very excited. I rode this test once at home and this is only the second time he’s been through it, so he was a bit surprised, which was actually good for him.”
Simone Deitermann: “The cross-country looks more difficult than last year – there are more technical fences and a lot of big and wide fences. [Even though it’s rained a lot] the ground is very good and I’m hoping the sun is shining!”
Kristina Cook: “I’m very pleased with his [Miners Frolic] attitude. It’s his first time in a big arena after Hong Kong and he was very relaxed. I’m very pleased he hasn’t been fazed by the atmosphere.
“The cross-country is very grown-up and mentally very challenging. There are a lot of questions. It’s Miners Frolic’s first four-star – and he’s ready to do a four-star – but it will be interesting to see how it goes.”
Results
1 Frank Ostholt/Air Jordan 2 (GER) 33.5
2 Simone Deitermann/Flambeau H 3 (GER) 35.0
3= Andrew Hoy/Grand Joca (AUS) 41.3
3= Emily Baldwin/Drivetime (GBR) 41.3
3= Susanna Bordone/Carrera (ITA) 41.3
6 Dirk Schrade/Gadget de la Cere AA (GER) 41.7
7 Kai Rüder/Leprince des Bois (GER) 42.0
8 Kristina Cook/Miners Frolic (GBR) 43.0
9 Beeke Kaack/Sinjang 2 (GER) 43.5
10 Susanna Bordone/Blue Moss (ITA) 44.0
Full results on www.luhmuehlen.de
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