Tag Archives: Julia Krajewski

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Olympic Champion Helps Germany Claim Belgian Leg of FEI Eventing Nations Cup

Libussa Lubbeke rides Caramia 34. Photo: FEI/Libby Law Photography

In a nail-biting cross-country finish, Germany claimed The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ in Arville (BEL) by just 0.3 of a penalty over home side Belgium. Their victory was massively helped by a strong performance from Julia Krajewski, the individual gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics. The 34-year-old was also the individual winner of the CCIO4* competition, after jumping a super double clear on her impressive nine-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Nickel 21. The Germans performed well as a team, leading throughout to achieve a score of 103.2, although four very strong and fast cross-country performances left the Belgians breathing down their necks with an overall score of 103.5. New Zealand presented an experienced team of riders, all of whom were established at 5*, to finish third on a score of 116.4.

Hans Melzer, chef d’equipe of the winning team, was delighted with the German performance, particularly after a year that has been somewhat up and down for German riders.

“This year, sometimes we were unlucky in Nations Cups and at Aachen, but this one was important, because we had three long-listed riders for the Europeans (Championships), which are all to go to Blenheim. It was good to show here, because it’s a hilly event and we don’t have so many of those in Germany, so it was good preparation for the rest of the season. What they showed today was very good cross-country riding.

“Julia (Krajewski) was with her younger horse, which was his third time at 4* and is a horse maybe for the future. He will go to the long (CCI4*-L) at Boekelo and the other three were all younger riders from our prospective group based in Warendorf, and it was good to see the younger ones competing here and really attacking.”

12 national teams from three continents came forward to compete at the Nations Cup in Arville, which is one of Belgium’s most prestigious equestrian events. The event as a whole attracted riders from as far afield as India, Morocco, and Australia. Melzer highlighted the significance of the Series and why the event had proved so popular with riders from all over the world.

“The Nations Cups are super events because every rider is proud to ride for their country.  It’s a good competition and especially here we have 12 nations, so it’s like a little championship. It’s really great with atmosphere and a super course. I think it’s important we keep these Nations Cups going the whole year in every country, because when you have enough riders, you can test riders in a team and the team order and everything that they learn being part of a team.

“It was a real four star. It’s not too big, but it was very technical with many questions and the country is really hilly. The second part of the course is up and down and up and down. We had 114 starters here which was unbelievable, but the facilities are super, we had good weather, the ground is perfect, so you could go and try to ride the time because there was no risk. It’s very good here in Arville.”

With the electors weighing up options for next year’s Olympics, events like these become more significant, and Melzer will continue to assess their performance as these German team riders will now head to Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (GBR) in September. “I think Julia will have a definite Olympic chance, and the others are good enough when they have a good result here and then Blenheim ahead and there is a chance to put them on the long-list.”

When asked if the Germans can rise once again as the dominant eventing nation, he responded, “The Germans did very well at the FEI World Championships in Pratoni, and now the Brits are the strongest team in all ways. Our team must work everything at 100% and maybe we have a chance. It’s important to give the younger rider a good plan; that’s how they have a chance to come to the top and where they ride, how they train, with whom they train. We have our very good system in Germany since 2002 — our prospective group and three of our riders today came through this system. And in the past Julia Karajewski, Sandra Auffarth, and Frank Ostholt – they all came out of this group, and for the future, this is a good thing we have, as we train a group of riders always together and they get more experienced and more confident.”

The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ action now moves to the final event of the Nations Cup Series, which will play out at Boekelo (NED) (4-8 October). The Belgians continue to lead the Series with 600 points overall.

Final scores from Arville can be found here: https://live.rechenstelle.de/2023/arville/nationcup03.html.

by Eleanore Kelly

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

In the Footsteps of Champions: CCI 4*-L Saumur Complet

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© Comité Equestre de Saumur / Photos Les Garennes.

She impressed the audience last year! A few months before winning gold at the Olympic Games, the German rider Julia Krajewski with her mare Amande de B’ Neville won the CCI 4*-L during the 35th edition of Saumur Complet. From April the 28th to May the 1st, Verrie Hippodrome will receive the top world eventing riders… and its public after 2 years absence due to the pandemic. Let’s discover the 2022 program from one of the three most important French eventing.

The press release can be downloaded here.

Daniel Koroloff – E-mail: daniel@blizko-communication.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Olympic Games, Show Jumping

British Take Team Title and Krajewski Grabs Individual Gold for Germany

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Julia Krajewski with Amande de B’Neville. (FEI/EFE)

Britain’s Oliver Townend, Laura Collett, and Tom McEwen were in a league of their own when cruising to Eventing team gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Baji Koen Equestrian Park. This was their country’s fourth team title, but it’s been a very long wait since Richard Meade, Mary Gordon-Watson, Bridget Parker, and Mark Phillips stood top of the podium a full 49 years ago in Munich in 1972. Australia took the silver, while the defending champions from France claimed the bronze.

Germany’s Julia Krajewski has entered the equestrian history books as the very first female athlete to take the Individual Olympic Eventing title. When the Games last took place in Tokyo back in 1964, the USA’s Lana du Pont was the first woman to compete in the three-day event, so female firsts and the Tokyo Olympics seem to be intrinsically linked.

In the battle for the remaining Individual podium places, it was Britain’s Tom McEwen who took the silver while Australia’s Andrew Hoy clinched the bronze. Hoy’s result is nothing short of sensational, because the three-time team gold medallist has a staggering record of participation at eight Olympic Games dating all the way back to Los Angeles in 1984. He was only 25 years old back then, and at the age of 62 now he’s as competitive as ever.

Team

Tom McEwen paved the path to Britain’s team victory with a superb round from Toledo de Kresker over the first of Santiago Varela’s beautifully decorated tracks. He was filled with confidence that his team-mates would do the rest of the work without difficulty.

A four-fence advantage and more after the previous day’s cross-country test had left his side sitting comfortably ahead, and as it turned out his confidence was not misplaced.

“He was incredible,” he said of his 14-year-old horse. “I just put him on the spot and he was up and away. Everyone that follows Eventing knows he’s a great jumper, so it’s just up to me on top,” he added.

However, team-mate Laura Collett had a scary moment when London 52 baulked at the water tray at fence four and scattered poles everywhere before regaining his equilibrium. “He started like his normal self, but just as I came around the corner, the light shone on the water and he suddenly started to draw back ,and I was quite far off it and he just went up and paddled. I was lucky he’s such a great jumper and it didn’t faze him, and he got it back together and finished really nicely. I’m gutted and it’s a shame, but I think it could have been a whole lot worse! I just hope I haven’t put too much pressure on Oliver,” she said.

Pressure

It’s difficult to put too much pressure on Oliver Townend, who was heading the Individual rankings going into the closing stages after a sensational run in both Dressage and Cross-Country with Ballaghmor Class. The first element of the double at fence nine, four fences from home, hit the floor, but that still left Team GB finishing on a score of 86.30 and under no threat from their closest rivals.

The real battle was played out between Australia and France, Kevin McNab opening the Aussie account with a foot-perfect run with Don Quidam, before Shane Rose’s Virgil also fell victim to the first element of fence nine. Meanwhile, Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold, who were part of the gold medal winning French side at the Rio 2016 Games, returned with just 0.4 for time, while second-line rider Karim Florent Laghouag faulted only at the first element of the triple combination at fence five.

The two sides had the started the day with a hair’s breadth between them, and even though Frenchman Christopher Six was clear and clean with Totem de Brecey, Andrew Hoy made no mistake with Vassily de Lassos to bag the silver when last to go, the two sides separated by just 1.3 penalties.

IOC Vice-President and Chair of the Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020 John Coates was on hand to see Australia take team silver and offered his congratulations to the three team members.

Individual

The Individual finale was truly gripping as the top 25 slogged it out. Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto collected just 0.4 penalties when seventh-last to go with the lovely Vinci de la Vigne, and when France’s Christopher Six faulted at the last of the triple combination on the new course, Tomoto began to move up the order.

Colletts’s bay gelding left the last two fences on the floor, but when Hoy followed with a clear the top three had absolutely no breathing space. McEwen didn’t need any when executing yet another regal tour of the track, but Townend’s luck ran out, his 4.8 penalties pushing him off the podium.

Last in, Krajewski could have been completely overwhelmed, but held her nerve to deliver a fabulous round from the mare she calls Mandy. She would take the top step of the podium and her place in equestrian history, ahead of McEwen and Hoy in silver and bronze.

The 32-year-old rider who is based in Warendorf, Germany has had a really tough year, beginning with the passing of her father, and then having to retire her top horse Samurai du Thot after he had his eye removed due to a lingering infection. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games seemed an impossible target after that, but when the young mare she calls Mandy won the CCI4* in Saumur, France and the pair took bronze at the German Championships in the spring, suddenly the horizon was completely altered. And now she finds herself an Olympic champion.

A fairytale finish

“It’s the stuff that movies are made of, and yes I cried, because I was thinking of my family and my father and basically everyone who has been behind me. This is very much a fairytale finish for me!” she said.

Silver medallist McEwen is 30 years of age and looks set on a long road of further success, while Hoy was keen to declare that he’s not hanging up his boots anytime soon.

“When I started in the sport, I was really proud of being the youngest person in the team and now it’s just an absolute joy that I’m still here and so healthy. When people meet me in the Olympic Village they say, you are an official, are you? And they look a bit surprised when I say no, I’m an athlete!”

He has enjoyed these Games as much as any and was full of praise for the organisation. “Without doubt, the Japanese people, the country of Japan, and the city of Tokyo deserve the biggest gold medal for putting these Games on. The effort they’ve gone to is incredible, and it’s a privilege to be here,” he concluded.

Quotes:

Julia Krajewski GER: “I won my first Pony title 20 years ago and since then it’s been a roller-coaster really. It’s quite unreal.

“Going in last tonight, I wasn’t thinking about Olympic gold. I said we’re going to do a great round like jumping at home and that is all.”

Oliver Townend GBR, talking about winning team gold: “It’s very unreal and hasn’t sunk in yet, but at the same time we were three riders on exceptional horses and that’s what’s been so special. All three of us have been on horses of a lifetime and we knew that coming here we had a very good chance.

“Looking back at whole week, I feel relieved and very proud of the whole team, not just the people here, but the whole team at home, people who put in the hard graft every day – they deserve this as well.”

Laura Collett GBR, talking about winning team gold: “Being on the podium was a completely surreal experience. I’m a bit lost for words; just to be here at an Olympics is a dream come true let alone win a gold medal. It’s going to take a few days, weeks, months for this to actually sink in.”

Andrew Hoy AUS: “We’ve got the most wonderful relationship, this horse and me. He was so fresh, he was having a little buck in the warm-up; it’s as if I did a dressage schooling exercise with him yesterday. “We got the horse on 13th May 2017, the day Steffi and I got married, so an easy day to remember. Got him from Tom Carlile and for me it’s an absolute joy to work with him every day: every day he puts a smile on my face.”

Shane Rose AUS: “We’re all mates on this team, so you ride everyone’s highs and lows with them, but we obviously think team first in Australia and how you perform individually affects your team-mates, so you always want to give your best foot forward. So for me watching them do well is great, and if I or they has a bad moment, you feel that with them. In Eventing, we don’t get team opportunities very often. I’m based in Australia and these guys are based in Europe, so we only get to see each other every few years, and when we do come together, it’s amazing how quickly we bond.”

Karim Florent Laghouag FRA: “This team medal is very emotional. I miss having the public and would like to share this medal. All the team have received lots of messages and support, and we are very grateful for the support and want to thank all the people that encouraged us. This medal belongs to them too!”

by Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Executive Advisor
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Olivia Robinson
Director, Communications
olivia.robinson@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 35

Shannon Gibbons
Manager, Media Relations & Media Operations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
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Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Julia Krajewski Wins the CCI 4*-L of Saumur Complet

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© Comité Equestre de Saumur / Photos Les Garennes.

Simply the best! From beginning to end! Leader at the end of the dressage, leader at the end of the cross country, the German Julia Krajewski, riding Amande de B’neville, did not crack under the pressure and puts her signature on a perfect show jumping round, synonymous with victory in this CCI 4 * -L Equi Action of the Saumur Complet. Also consistent throughout this Saumur competition, the French Thomas Carlile on Birmane finished second. The Olympic runner-up, the Frenchman Nicolas Astier, in the saddle of Babylon de Gamma, benefits from the three equestrian faults of his team-mate Karim Laghouag, third at the end of the cross country, to move up in the final classification and take third place in the competition.

Results here.

A word from Julia Krajewski (GER):

“I came to the CCI 4*-L Equi Action de Saumur Complet with the idea of obtaining a qualification for the mare, Amande de B’neville. She had already taken part in a few 4* races but without obtaining a ‘qualification’. I also wanted to see the country: I had excellent memories of Saumur, a competition that I had run as a Junior in 2005, for the European Championship. I knew it was a technical, demanding competition, and that’s what we needed. The mare had been seriously prepared, in particular on the CCI 3*-S of Radolfzell where she finished third. And Saumur allowed her to progress further. She is of course my lead mare since Samourai retired, and I had the impression, this weekend, that she was saying to me ‘Relax mum; trust me, we will perform together.’ And it’s true: she was wonderful; I have absolutely nothing to reproach her for! She is getting stronger and stronger. Physically, she is imposing, and has to continue to learn to contain herself, to deal with her boundless energy. I really think I will take her to a CCI 5* soon. In any case, that’s my goal, whether it’s next year or in a championship this year. Really, I had a great week at Saumur Complet and this victory is a great conclusion.”

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Krajewski Still in the Lead after Cross-Country

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© Comité Equestre de Saumur / Photos Les Garennes.

Already at the top of the provisional classification at the end of the dressage in front of a French peloton, Germany’s Julia Krajewski, reigning Olympic team vice-champion (behind France), retains her leadership at the end of the cross country. A cross country that she puts her signature on, associated with her Selle Français Amande de B’neville, without any penalty. Five other couples finished “maxi”, including the Frenchman Karim Laghouag on Triton Fontaine, who thus climbs back to third place with the fastest time in the test. Between them, Thomas Carlile and Birmane remain in the second position which they already occupied at the end of the dressage.

On Sunday, this 35th edition of Saumur Complet ends with the CCI 4*-L Equi Action show jumping course from 2:30pm. Julia Krajewski will have to aim for a clear round if she wants to win the competition. Live broadcast on SC Sport (www.saumur.org).

Start-lists and results here.

A word from Julia Krajewski (GER):

“I must admit that I am very happy and above all very proud of Almond de B’neville. You have to realize that the CCI 4*-L de Saumur Complet is the most difficult competition in which she has participated in her entire career. She is eleven years old, and I am making her progress little by little. We have recently taken a step forward, since the retirement of Samourai du Thot in fact. On today’s cross country, I was careful at first, but because of the attention I paid to each technical element, it caused me to be a little behind on the clock. It could have been tight but in the end, the mare very easily made up between 12 and 15 seconds in the last five minutes, without being forced. This confirms what I already knew about her qualities as a galloper. She came back very fresh from this cross country. It bodes well for tomorrow then. Almond is an excellent jumper, but anything can happen. I keep my fingers crossed.”

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T.

Julia Krajewski in the Lead after Dressage of the CCI 4*-L Equi Action

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© Comité Equestre de Saumur / Photos Les Garennes.

The Verrie racecourse hosted the second part of the CCI 4*-L Equi Action dressage test. And what a second part, capable of upsetting the ranking of the day before! The Italian Stefano Brecciaroli is relegated to provisional seventh place, ahead of an impressive array of French riders, and a German rider, Julia Krajewski, who put all these gentlemen in agreement. On an average of 75.32% (24.7 penalties), the rider, riding Amande de B’neville, is ahead of the Frenchmen Thomas Carlile and Birmane (74.84%, 25.2 penalties) and Nicolas Touzaint on Eboli (72.54%, 27.5 penalties). Eight couples (out of thirty-four) thus finish the dressage with an average of over 70%, which demonstrate the level of entries for this last French CCI 4*-L before Tokyo.

On Saturday, the riders of the CCI 4*-L Equi Action will meet on the cross-country course created by Pierre Michelet. First departure at 12:15 p.m. Live broadcast on SC Sport (www.saumur.org).

Start-lists and results here.

A word from Julia Krajewski (GER):

“I am of course very happy to be at the top of the provisional classification at the end of the dressage. Amande de B’neville had a very good session. She is a mare that can stress, so you have to be careful not to asking too much of her, while constantly sending her positive signals. Today, she was really with me and relaxed during the session. For the other tests, I am more relaxed: it is a very good jumper and above all a real cross-country machine. She has never raced a CCI 5* before and is still in full development: Saumur Complet gives her a very good experience. About the cross-country course of tomorrow, which I have ‘walked’ today, it seems to me very interesting. The time allotted is accessible; it is sufficiently technical; it will be necessary to ask the right questions and undoubtedly to give a breather to the horses on long gallops, in particular towards the 8-9 minutes. I did not know the cross country of the Saumur Complet before, then I studied the videos I found on YouTube. I am very satisfied: the elements I was expecting are indeed on the course of tomorrow! Despite everything, we will have to be very focused and constantly anticipating.”

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Strzegom

German Athlete Wins the 4* Class in Strzegom

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Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.

Julia Krajewski with the 14-year-old Samourai du Thot was victorious in the CCI4*-L, the highest ranked class at Strzegom October Festival. Polish riders won two team classes in junior and young rider categories, and Dutch riders were the best in the pony class.

Julia Krajewski (GER) took the lead after dressage but went down into third place after some mistakes in the cross-country. A clear round in the showjumping made her take the lead back and win the whole class. Second place went to the best rider after XC – Lea Siegl (AUT) with Fighting Line. Michael Jung (GER) was third with Go For S.

In the CCI3*-L, the win went to Belgian rider Lara De Liedekerke-Meier with Hermione d’Arville after a clear jumping round. Mélody Johner (SUI) with Toubleu de Rueire was second, and Kamil Rajnert (POL) with Gouverneur finished third.

The podium in the CCI2*-L was dominated by women. Mélody Johner (SUI) won with Demoiselle Peccau, British rider Phoebe Locke was second with Clotaire de Ferivel and Anna Siemer (GER) with Lilybelle Ea was third.

The three- and four-star short format classes ended with cross-country trials. The leaderboard changed a lot in the 4* class. Phoebe Locke (GBR) with Pica d’Or went up from the 13th to 7th place after a clear showjumping round. Her victory was secured by a clear cross-country round with only some points for the time. Second place went to Katrin Norling (SWE) with Fernando-Ukato, and third to Elmo Jankari with Soraya 243 – they went up from the 28th position that they had after the jumping. The leader after dressage – Yoshiaki Oiwa with Bart L JRA finished fourth.

Dutch rider Jordy Wilken with Wilbert BO was victorious in the 3* short class after a clear cross-country inside the time. Robert Pokorny (CZE) with Quantos Mer was second, and third place went to Rebecca Juana Gerken (GER) with Curley Boy.

The best rider in the CCI1*-Intro class was Mélody Johner with Gb Keep Cool du Perchet.

Strzegom October Festival hosted European Youth Eventing Masters for the first time. It’s a new addition to the European equestrian calendar, where all youth categories competed individually and as a team.

European Youth Eventing Masters was dominated by Polish riders in the team classifications. In the young riders category, first place went to Julia Gillmaier with Rarashek, Pauline Wieczorek with Czacza, and Alicja Tropiło with Erez M. The best individual rider was Hedwig Wikström (FIN) with Pin Rock’s Fade To Black.

Karolina Ślązak with Ganges, Weronika Król with Lismakeegan Chester, Ewelina Falkowska with Jusis, and Oliwia Rapa with Kselion won the CCIO2*-L for juniors. Camille Delvaux (BEL) was the best individually with Rock And Roll.

The Dutch team was the best one in the CCI2*-L class for ponies – the win went to Kato De Smidt with Orchid’s Tigersun, Tijn De Blaauw with Orchid’s Megan, Ivy Van Der Kolk with Robin Hood, and Senna Van Houte with Fernhill First Lady. Jule Krueger (GER) was the winner in the individual classification with Golden Grove Simon.

Online results: http://eventing.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/results/2020/sof/.

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Remarkable Day of Sport at the FEI World Equestrian Games

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Reining Reigns Supreme as the Johnson Controls Individual Reining Competition Finalists Are Determined

The Johnson Controls Reining Team Competition and first Individual Qualifier at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 offered an amazingly high level of competition. The athletic ability of the great reining horses competing was superbly highlighted by riders representing 20 National Federations. Team USA clinched the gold, led by the talented 18-year-old Cade McCutcheon who posted a 229-top score on Custom Made Gun. It was silver for Team Belgium and bronze for Germany. In the first Individual Qualifier, the top 15 placed horse-rider combinations officially claimed their spot in the finals which will be held on Saturday, September 15. Once the competition was over, an impressive 221 score, or higher, was needed to qualify.

Julia Krajewski Shines in the Sun as Eventers Wow the Crowds

German Eventer Julia Krajewski treated the sun-drenched spectators to one of the great dressage rides of all time as she finished a thrilling first day 7.2 points clear of the field.

The German and her mount Chipmunk FRH have been in scintillating form in the dressage arena this season and the duo lived up to their billing as one of the favourites for gold with a mark of 19.90 – the third best dressage score ever recorded at a WEG.

Home hero Boyd Martin fed off the packed stands to saunter his way to second place, with a score of 27.10, while Great Britain’s Piggy French lies third, just 0.70 points behind.

Watch live on FEI TV.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

Julia Krajewski Secures Biggest Career Win at Luhmühlen with Samourai Du Thot

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Julia Krajewski on Samourai du Thot (FEI/Eric Knoll)

Nicola Wilson (GBR) and Bulana clinch second with overnight leader Bettina Hoy third on Designer 10 (GER)

It was an emotional moment for Germany’s Julia Krajewski when she realised she had scored the biggest win of her career after steering Samourai du Thot to victory at her home event, Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL, fifth leg of the FEI Classics™.

Krajewski, 28, was third year last year at her first attempt, but now she goes home with the big prize after the fairytale failed to come true for cross country leader Bettina Hoy (GER), who is 26 years her senior.

“If I hadn’t taken a pull, my horse wouldn’t have hit fence eight as he didn’t want to touch a pole. I thought ‘damn’, but there were so few clear rounds and when Bettina had her fence and time faults, that’s how it happens sometimes and you’re a four-star winner!” — Julia Krajewski (GER), winner

There had been little difference in the leaderboard after a straightforward cross country phase, but a challenging jumping track certainly shook up the order, with only four clear rounds without time penalties from the 34 finishers.

Krajewski, second after Saturday’s cross country, hit the back rail of fence eight, and Britain’s Nicola Wilson, third before jumping on Bulana, jumped clear but added a frustrating three time faults to finish a mere 0.7 behind in second place, a career best for the 2012 Olympic team silver medallist who has been a solid pathfinder for the British team.

“It was an expensive time fault or two, but Bulana gets better and better and better.” — Nicola Wilson (GBR), runner-up

Hoy’s problems started with a sticky jump over the fifth fence on Designer 10 and the horse then didn’t get high enough over the sixth for a rail down. That, plus three time penalties, dropped the newly crowned national champion (Hoy won the German championships earlier in the day) to third place.

Marilyn Little (USA) was clear to move up to fourth place on RF Scandalous and Maxime Livio (FRA), currently runner-up in the FEI Classics, was also foot-perfect, rising six places to fifth on Opium de Verrieres.

Livio has now managed to narrow the gap with runaway FEI Classics™ leader Michael Jung (GER) to just six points, and Wilson has sprung from 11th place in the rankings to third, so a thrilling finish is guaranteed at the finale at Burghley (GBR) in September.

By Kate Green

Press contacts:

At FEI:

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

At Luhmühlen:

Dr. Friederike Stüvel-Huck
Press Officer
media@luhmuhlen.de
+49 17 153 829 00

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot Lead Luhmühlen Charge

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Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot (Eventing Photo/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 17 June 2016 – Julia Krajewski, a rising star on the German eventing scene, is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after taking the Dressage lead at Luhmühlen CCI4* (GER), presented by DHL, penultimate leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016.

Krajewski and the 10-year-old Selle Francais, Samourai du Thot, scored the only sub-40 mark and has taken a narrow 1.2 penalty lead over first-day leaders, Belgium’s Julien Despontin and Waldano 36.

“I originally planned to ride in the sunshine, but in the end the rain was helpful as Sam lifted his feet really nicely in the puddles,” Krajewski said. “His trot was particularly expressive, and he stayed really relaxed throughout the whole test. Walk and canter also went really well. He obviously liked the atmosphere from the grandstand and the whole arena.” And on her hopes for the Cross Country with Samurai du Thot: “He is a very gentle horse and we have collected quite a lot of experience at three-star level. He’s fit and I hope we put in a flowing round tomorrow.”

Krajewski, 27, whose parents run a small stud farm near Luhmühlen, has yet to complete a CCI4*, but the German combination recently won the CIC3* at Renswoude (GER).

Despontin and Waldano, a horse previously ridden by Andreas Ostholt (GER), now have a long-standing partnership and regularly shine in the Dressage arena, finishing 20th at Luhmühlen last year.

“He’s a great horse with a big personality,” explained the 26-year-old. “He was a little tense at first so I had to ride the canter work cautiously, but his walk and trot were much improved from last year.”

Australia’s Emma Dougall is in third place on 40.6 penalties with CCI4* first-timer Belcam Bear, ahead of the seasoned German Olympian Andreas Dibowski on It’s Me XX.

Tim Price’s Ringwood Sky Boy, one of the most experienced horses in the field, missed Badminton but is now in with a great chance of a high placing at Luhmühlen. The New Zealand combination is in fifth place on 44.6, just 0.3 ahead of the talented Frenchman Maxime Livio with Qalao des Mers.

Riders have been giving their views on Captain Mark Phillips’ Cross Country course and the general opinion seems to be that it’s a fair track but stronger and with more demanding lines than last year.

“The jumps have been beautifully built and the ground is exceptional,” Despontin said. “If Waldano and I get round and past the Meßmer water complex, we should be able to finish on a decent score.”

Twenty-eight combinations are set to start Saturday’s Cross Country – Germany’s Bettina Hoy (Seigneur Medicott) and France’s Geoffroy Soullez (Madiran du Liot) withdrew before Dressage. First out on the course at 14.00 local time is Britain’s Louise Harwood on Mr Potts.

Follow the competition with live coverage on FEI TV (www.feitv.org) and live results on www.luhmuehlen.de.

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See FEI Classics™ hub: www.fei.org/fei/events/fei-classics.

By Kate Green

Luhmühlen CCI4* Media Contact:

Dr. Friederike Stüvel-Huck
media@luhmuehlen.de
+49 (0) 171 5382900

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 787 506 142

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38