It’s precious points and podium finishes on the minds of Kiwi riders competing at the top-ranking Luhmuhlen CCI4* this week.
Andrew Nicholson heads to the premier German event at the top of the HSBC FEI Classics standings, a healthy 13 points ahead of team-mate and recent Badminton winner Jonathan Paget, who is just a single point ahead of William Fox-Pitt (GBR).
Luhmuhlen is one of five events on the HSBC Classics calendar, and with just two left, there is plenty of incentive to do well. The Classics winner pockets $US150,000, with second place garnering $US75,000.
Nicholson has been in searing form. He’ll start Qwanza (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) in her first event since finishing seventh at the Kentucky Rolex in 2012. This is just the second four star start for the 10-year-old mare who has shown she is one to watch for the future.
He’s also entered on Mr Cruise Control (owned by Nicola and Robin Salmon and Nicholson) who is always capable of a stunning performance and comes off a top win at the Chatsworth CIC3* recently.
Equestrian Sports New Zealand High Performance director Sarah Harris is picking this very consistent horse as the Kiwis’ top prospect for victory.
Harris is particularly keen to see the continuation of four star domination from her New Zealand riders.
“That’s our main goal as we head towards the World Champs in France next year,” she says. “The current form of our top riders clearly says we can do just that too.”
Nicholson’s third mount is Rathmoyle King (owned by Gillian Morris-Adams, Carolyn Taylor and Carolyne Ryan-Bell).
Paget will start Bullet Proof (owned by Joseph and Alexander Giannamore) in his first four start event and surely looking to build on his latest triumph at Badminton.
London Olympian Jonelle Richards and Flintstar (owned by Darnelle Hubbard, Tim Price and Mrs Grey) is always a superstar on the cross country, and his rider will be looking to finish on their dressage score.
It’s not such good news for Lucy Jackson who was entered on Willy Do (owned by Gillian Greenless and Jackson) but has had to withdraw after taking a fall at the Bramham International Horse Trials this week.
“It is really really frustrating,” says Jackson who was knocked out when her horse had a difficult landing early in the course at Bramham. “I wasn’t knocked out for long but sadly even a few seconds unconscious is an automatic three week ban.”
She’s hoping for a reassessment after seven days, but that still wouldn’t be enough to get her on the start line at Luhmuhlen.
Luhmuhlen has attracted entries from all over the world, including Australian, Belgium, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United States. Around 56 are entered in the CCI4*.
The first horse inspection is late Wednesday afternoon (GER time), with the dressage Friday, cross country Saturday and showjumping Sunday.
HSBC FEI Classics standings: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 40, Jonathan Paget (NZL) 27, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 26, Michael Jung (GER) 22, Craig Barrett (AUS) 15.
-Diana Dobson
ESNZ Media Liaison
