Laura Collett and London 52 Stay in the Lead After Cross-Country at Longines Luhmühlen CCI5*-L
Luhmühlen, Germany —June 14— Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross-country course was no "walk in the park" today at Luhmühlen, demanding precision and concentration all the way around. The combination in the stadium was particularly influential for the classification.
After a beautiful round on Hester early on to lie fifth, dressage leaders Laura Collett (GBR) and London 52 made light work of all the questions, stayed inside the time, and held onto their lead (25.4). “I’m absolutely ecstatic," said Collett. "Both of my horses have given me brilliant performances. They’re two very different horses to ride but they both love their job, and it’s an honor to be sat on them. With London, now I just want to enjoy the moment. He owes me absolutely nothing. He’s been phenomenal all through his career; the places he’s taken me, the things he’s done. He’s so so special. Whatever happens tomorrow, he’s my horse of a lifetime.”
Yesterday they waltzed, today Ros Canter’s (GBR) Izilot DHI switched on cross-country mode, and the pair made the course look like a style class, adding only 2.8 points to their dressage score (28.8). “I’m absolutely delighted," said Canter. "Izilot was so grown up out there. He was pretty spooky this morning, so I was a little nervous, and he ducked and dived going in and out of the arena but when he was on his line to the fence he was 100%. He’s really good on lines and skinnies but sometimes worries about the people; sometimes the decorations around the fence catch him out. Today he was was fantastic. The course was a real challenge, and I think some people underestimated it. It walked intense, and it walked fast, and it rode that way as well.”
Samantha Lissington (NZL) and Ricker Ridge Sooty also mastered the challenging five-star course with flying colors adding just 0.4 points to their dressage result (29.3). “I’m so happy," she said. "He’s such a champion. He’s small and compact. I’m really proud of him. It was amazing. It’s so incredible to be at Luhmühlen. He’s loving it here. He really opened up today and found that top-notch speed. I watched the arena this morning, and it rode really well. Then I continued watching it for the next hour which did nothing for my confidence. I kept wondering what to do, and I knew I had to ride off the seats of my pants and ride off feel, and that’s what I did.”
Malin Hansen-Hotopp (SWE) and Carlitos Quidditsch K broke a MIM system at the entrance to the Meßmer Teich, adding a total of 12.6 points to their dressage score (41.5). “It was so much fun!" she said of her ride. "He was full of running right until the end. It’s a pity about the broken MIM; that’s never happened to us before. I'll have a look at the video later to analyze it, but perhaps I could have made him a bit rounder there. In the end, he was so confident and rideable everywhere. He's just incredible."
Cosby Green was the top U.S. rider, moving into fifth with Highly Suspicious and ninth with Jos UFO de Quidam.
Full Results: https://www.rechenstelle.de/en/agenda/2025/luhmuhlen-3/
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At the end of the second day of dressage at the Longines Luhmühlen CCI5*-L, Great Britain's Laura Collett and London 52 slotted into the lead. Their beautiful test was rewarded with a big round of applause and a score of 25.4.