Samantha Lissington, pictured with Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ at the Luhmuhlen CCI5* first horse inspection this morning, heads into the event on a high after making history in France when she nabbed a trifecta with her team.Photo by Libby Law Photography
Kiwi eventers are Germany bound for one of the highest-ranked events in the world, the Longines Luhmuhlen CCI5* Horse Trials.
It’s a popular event and one of just seven 5* events in the world and always attracts many top combinations.
Luhmuhlen is a happy hunting ground for Jonelle Price, who won there in 2018 aboard Faerie Dianimo. This time she steps up 11-year-old Holsteiner Senor Crocodillo. “It is always a pleasure to be heading back to Luhmuhlen,” says Jonelle.
“I think a huge amount of Senor Crocodillo and am excited to see what we can achieve this week.”
The field had attracted some top combinations and Jonelle says it is a great opportunity to see how she and Senor Crocodillo stack up.
“The Germans put on a fantastic show, are proud of the sport and our horses, and they look after us well.”
Another Kiwi eventer looking forward to returning to Luhmuhlen is Samantha Lissington who lines up aboard her 14-year-old Holsteiner/thoroughbred cross Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ. She recently made headlines when she took the trifecta and claimed a world record at Royal Jump de Berticheres in France, winning the CCI4*-L aboard Qantas R, second on Billy Alberto and third with Delarado.
“We are excited to take a horse (to Luhmuhlen) I know so well to an event I love,” she says.
Tokyo Olympian Jesse Campbell heads to Germany for the 5* with his 13-year-old Irish sport horse Cooley Lafitte who he has redirected after withdrawing from Badminton.
There is always plenty of talent in the CCI5* and this year that includes defending champ Lara de Liedekerke-Meier (BEL), Ros Canter (GBR), Laura Collett (GBR) and Piggy March (GBR), among others.
Paris Olympian Clarke Johnstone is in the CCI4*-S aboard his 10-year-old Hanoverian Rocket Man.
“I am looking forward to taking on Luhmuhlen with Rocket Man after loving the event there last year. Rocket Man has been in very good form this year and is improving all the time.”
And he’s not the only one from his stable heading to Germany to compete.
“It is great to have Abbey Thompson coming with us. She has been based with us this year and has been training hard for this event.”
Abbey lines up in the CCI4*-S aboard her 10-year-old warmblood Cadbury KSNZ. “I am so excited,” she said. “This is a huge milestone for us. Cadbury has been my partner since he was four and it means the world to me to be taking on a 4* on the international stage. He has the biggest heart and always tries his hardest. I can’t wait to see what we can do out there.”
The CCI4*-S MeBmer Trophy is the German championship and is always hotly contested by some of the best German combinations in the world.
Luhmuhlen has now been running for more than 60 years. It started as a local event and has grown into one of just seven 5* events in the world.
The event kicks off with the first horse inspection early Thursday morning (NZ time) followed by two days of dressage.
The Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR) designed cross country runs on Saturday night (NZ time) with the showjumping, designed by Marco Behrens (GER) winds the event up on Sunday. There is 150,000 Euro in the prize purse for the 5* with 20,000 Euro on the line in the 4*
As well as Jonelle’s victory at Luhmuhlen, Andrew Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control (2013), Tim Price and Wesko (2014) and Tim with Ascona (2019) all feature on the honours board.
WHAT: Longines Luhmuhlen Horse Trials CCI5*-L
WHEN: June 12-15, 2025
WHERE: Salzhausen, Germany
MORE INFO: https://tgl.luhmuehlen.de/en
LIVESTREAM: www.horseandcountry.tv
