Katja Weimann and BP Escapade, pictured here at a previous event in Australia.

© Jenelle Christopher

Aussies in action

Katja Weimann BP Escapade are in 17th place in the CCI4*, with the rest of the Aussies riding their tests today. Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco will ride in the CCI4*, as will Shane Rose and CP Qualfiied. In the CIC3*, Sammi Birch and Hunter Valley II will the fly the Australian flag - stay tuned for results!

CCI4* interim results

CIC3* interim results

DHL presents CCI****: Kitty King and Boyd Martin in joined first

Kitty King was particularly pleased with her horse’s performance, whohas not competed in a big event since the Olympic Games in Rio2016: “He has performed really well for me today and I could not have asked for more!”

Boyd Martin, who rode his big German horse Shamwari 4, was equally pleased. With a new coach they managed to really improve the canter work, which he felt made a big difference today.

Vittoria Panizzon’s Checkers Playthe Game is competing in his first four-star this weekend, making her extremely proud how well he delivered throughout their test. “Only one of the flying changes didn’t quite turn out as planned, but the rest was brilliant. He has a fabulous walk, which earned us three nines from the judges – definitely something to be proud of!”

All three riders felt the DHL presents CCI**** course is asking plenty of questions of horses and riders and requires full concentration and precise riding throughout. With technical challenges and big jumps everything you would want from a four-star course is in there. Vittoria Panizzoni sums it up: “I’m so excited to ride this beautifully built course and looking forward to Saturday.”

Julia Mestern takes lead in CIC*** Meßmer Trophy

Julia Mestern, who is also a successful dressage rider, delivered an almost perfect dressage test today: “This was by far our best test! I was smiling the whole way through, which is a sure sign things were going well for us today. There were only a couple of things we could have done better – coming down the first centre line and two of the flying changes were not a good as they could have been. The rest was brilliant! The atmosphere is electric in the stadium but my horse kept his cool and listened to me throughout.”
 
Closely behind Julia is team colleague Josefa Sommer (GER), who could not be happier with her gelding ‘Hannes’ today: “He has improved from test to test this year and today he really gave it his all. The canter work still needs a little work but I really could not have asked for more. Even our changes were pretty good today, which I managed to improve after getting some useful tips from Ingrid Klimke.“
 
Thoughts on the CIC*** Cross Country

Hans Melzer: “This year’s course is definitely more difficult than last year’s. There are many questions for horses and riders, however, they are clear and fairly build with easier passages in between. Well-prepared horses should be able to make the time.”
 
Julia Mestern: “The course has a number of technical questions which require concentration and precision. There is a lot to jump, however, this is a three-star competition and therefore should be challenging. I am really looking forward to Saturday!”

Source: Luhmühlen press releases

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