Michael Jung (GER) produced a typically brilliant performance to take the lead in the Cross Country phase at Luhmühlen, presented by DHL Paket, the fifth and penultimate leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014. But celebrations will be far from his and other riders’ minds following the tragic news that the talented young German rider Benjamin Winter had died following a fall (see FEI statement here).
Winter, 25, was already lying 12th after a good first round on Wild Thing Z, when he had a horse fall with his second ride, Ispo, at fence 20, a table fence which had caused no other problems. He was taken by helicopter to Borberg Hospital in Hamburg but was pronounced dead on arrival from his head injuries.
Following a meeting between the event organisers and competitors, and at the request of Benjamin Winter’s family, it was agreed that the competition should continue at Luhmühlen tomorrow. Riders will wear black armbands for the Jumping phase and a short memorial ceremony will be held.