News from Luhmühlen

Press releases

With Ero de Cantraie Julia Krajewski (GER) stayed clear in the show-jumping phase, thus winning the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy (30.6) and the German Championship. Christoph Wahler (GER) was runner-up with D'Accord (34.4). Third place went to Julia Krajewski and her second horse Nickel (36.3). Anna Lena Schaaf (GER) and Fairytale (37.8) won the bronze medal.

Olympic gold medalist Julia Krajewski crowned her successful weekend with the four-star win. In the prize-giving ceremony she thanked the audience for the great atmosphere: “All of you make the victory so special. Ero really seems to like the atmosphere here. Huge praise to the organisers - the conditions here are absolutely perfect. Luhmühlen is our favourite event - everyone is so incredibly friendly and professional at the same time and the horses feel really comfortable here.”
Before their jumping round, the German Champion was still in the lead with Nickel, but they had two unfortunate rails, finishing third. She had already competed her ultimately winning horse in the first half of the show-jumping and had thus secured her victory early on: “It was somehow surreal, to know that I’d won the title so early on. I could only have beat myself to it. All in all, I am overjoyed with the way the week went and incredibly proud of my young horses. I really didn't expect to be on the podium with both horses at the end of the week. Ero’s development in the last 12 months is absolutely amazing and Nickel was a bit unlucky today. He too would have deserved the win today."
Christoph Wahler had worked his way up the ranks: “The week didn’t start out so well But he’s so great in the cross-country phase, a naturally quick horse with a huge gallop. Every round I ride him he gets a little bit more comfortable with going faster so we were able to move up a couple of ranks. The clear round today put us right up there.”
Anna Lena Schaaf was very emotional after the end of the competition and was at a loss for words: “This horse just leaves me speechless. She means so much to me. The show-jumping was very challenging today and I’m so glad that we stayed clear.”
Julia Krajewski explained Anna Lena Schaaf's emotion with the strong bond between horse and rider: “In my opinion, the bond between a horse and its rider can be even stronger than interpersonal relationships. We do everything for our horses - it is incredibly touching when they trust us and go above and beyond."

What a day for Julia Krajwski (GER)! She’s currently holding on to the top two positions before the show-jumping phase. Nickel is in the lead (27.5), closely followed by Ero de Cantraie (30.2). Calvin Böckmann (GER) is in third place with Phantom of the Opera (31.8).

After two outstanding cross-country rounds, Julia Krajewski and her two horses are at the top of the field and thus also on gold course in the German Championships. “I really didn't expect that. Both horses are still quite inexperienced at this level. Perhaps Iunderestimated Nickel a little when I first started to ride him, because he’s not really a flashy horse. But he keeps getting better and better. Today he tackled all the tasks like a pro – even the hedges in the arena. He always wants to do everything right and has gained so much confidence and that makes me incredibly happy.”
The Olympic champion was also full of praise for Ero, who is currently holding the runner-up position: “We have worked a lot on his self-confidence and on his trust in me. This year he was ready for four-star level and I think he is really a special horse. It's a great feeling to train young horses to this level and by now he absolutely knows what it's all about. I took it easy for the first two minutes because he is relatively inexperienced. But then he was doing so well that I was able to increase the speed and ride into time.”
For Calvin Böckmann it’s only the second season with Phanom of the Opera. The 22-year old rider was over the moon after his horse’s cross-country round: “Phanti was amazing, we had so much fun. Everything went according to plan and he was incredibly motivated. Last year I was still here as a spectator and dreamed of competing in the German Championships this year. Of course, my expectations were rather low, so it really is a dream that I am sitting here now. I have been riding him since the beginning of last year and took it easy at first to build up his confidence. By now I feel like I know him inside out and we've become a great team."
Event Director Julia Otto was delighted with everyone's team effort: “I would like to thank my huge team. The first ones arrived here at half past five this morning with big smiles and everyone just knows what to do. It makes me incredibly proud how we have grown together as a team over the years. Thank you to everyone and congratulations to the riders on their great rides. We saw some amazing horses, it was a brilliant day!”

How to watch
NDR live: Sunday, 18 June 14.00 - 15.15
Horse & Country+ are live streaming both competitions with German and English commentary https://horseandcountry.tv

Mollie Summerland (GBR) and Charly van ter Heiden are on top of the leaderboard before cross-country day. Julia Krajewski with Nickel (GER/26.7) and Ingrid Klimke (GER/28.3) with EQUISTROs Siena just do it are currently in second and third place.

Molly Summerland, Longines CCI5*-L winner 2021, was full of praise for Charly: „He was brilliant. He feels so at home in that arena. All week it’s been different to any other show. We’ve really not given him much work at all. He’s had about half an hour of work each day and lots of grazing. He’s just so relaxed here. When everybody clapped when we went
in he just loved it, it didn’t unsettle him at all. It’s lovely to be back. Everyone has worked so hard on the ground to create perfect conditions. It’s very much appreciated.”

Julia Krajewski was very happy with her horse’s performance: “I’m very proud of Nickel. He’s not that experienced yet and really went above and beyond today. We had some little
mistakes, so there’s still room for improvement but it’s so exciting to have such brilliant up and coming youngsters. Nickel’s extended trot and canter were amazing today. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. Both horses are genuine and honest. They trust me and try to deliver their best.”
Ingrid Klimke was also pleased with her mare’s dressage test: “I’m very happy. Siena did not get overexcited by the atmosphere but stayed focused and with me througout the test. There were some lovely highlights during the trot and canter phases. I took her to Balve and Wiesbaden specifically to prepare her for Luhmühlen and this really paid off today.”

Thoughts about the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy cross-country
Andreas Dibowski: “The four-star course is incredible: fair with clear lines and tasks. Visual effects were used and it really tests the horses' and riders' skills. It is technically demanding, but very motivating at the same time.”

Peter Thomsen: “The course is outstanding, worthy of a German Championship. It is technically demanding but not overdone. The ground preparation is absolutely perfect - both on the tracks and in the water complexes. The horses get off to a good canter due to the inviting start of the course and only then do the technical tasks follow. I think we will see great sport. It will be an exciting cross-country day.”

Ingrid Klimke: "It is a great cross-country course - of course there are technical tasks and you have to concentrate all the way round, so that the horses recognize the tasks but it’s very friendly and fair.”

How to watch
NDR live: Saturday, 17 June 14.30 - 16.00 and Sunday, 18 June 14.00 - 15.15
Horse & Country+ are live streaming both competitions with German and English commentary https://horseandcountry.tv