United States Eventing Association

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous are Overnight Leaders in the Luhmühlen CCI4*

The last starter in the Luhmühlen CCI4* dressage today, Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, took the lead with a great score of 38.00 ahead of Nicola Wilson (GBR) with Bulana (38.70) and Oliver Townend (GBR) with Black Tie (43.00).

The American was quite obviously very happy with the way Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky and Phoebe and Michael Manders' 12-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold x Richardia) went in today’s dressage test. “I am incredibly lucky to have a horse like her. It’s my second time here in Luhmühlen and I am very happy to be here with Scandalous. She is truly the best partner I can wish for. This is her first event at four-star-level and I am particularly looking forward to Saturday. She is clever, brave and extremely careful. The course looks super. It’s big, yet very fair. There are some technical questions, but I believe even young horses have a good chance at answering them.”

British rider Nicola Wilson was equally happy with her mare, who is also competing at four-star-level for the very first time. “I cannot praise her enough. She is getting better and better, becoming more confident each time. The course is definitely challenging enough, but I think everything looks very fair. I am looking forward to Saturday.” Fellow Brit Oliver Townend lies only a few points behind the two women. “I could not be more satisfied with our result. Dressage is not his strong point, but with every test he is improving. The course is lovely, but I also think, there are a few questions which might pose risks for run-outs. However, this is not the biggest four-star-course, which is why, I think we should see plenty of good results.”

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

The other U.S. riders also put in a good showing with Sharon White scoring a 49.8 aboard Cooley on Show to sit in 10th position currently. The 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ricardo Z x Jogantina) bested his Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event score by over three points. The pair retired on course there and are looking for redemption on the cross-country course on Saturday.

Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

Katherine Coleman also rerouted from a spring CCI4* - she and Longwood took a tumble on the Badminton CCI4* course last month. Coleman and KC Eventing's 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Limmerick x Cavale De Or) scored a 57.90 for 19th place on the leaderboard.

There are two U.S. riders left to ride in tomorrow's dressage session - Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot at 2:22 p.m. local time (8:22 a.m. EST) and Will Coleman and Obos O'Reilly at 3:32 p.m. local time (9:32 a.m. EST).

Full results can be seen here.

Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

CIC3* Meßmer Trophy / German Championship:

Bettina Hoy (GER) and her 11-year-old gelding Seigneur Medicott delivered an outstanding dressage test this morning. With a fantastic score of 26.30 they went in the lead in the CIC3* after day one. Ingrid Klimke (GER) and Horseware Hale Bob OLD follow in second place with 31.30 penalties, with Michael Jung (GER) and Star Connection and Julia Krajewski (GER) with Chipmunk FRH in third, both on a score of 35.60.

Hoy is elated after her super test with Seigneur Medicott this morning, “I hoped we would do a good test today. The gelding has been in top form all season and won the past three international events on this level. We did what we could today, now we need to do the same on Saturday and Sunday. The competition is strong especially from my German teammates. Though, I find this really motivating and it’s what makes our sport exciting and so fascinating.”

The sole U.S. representative in the CIC3* is Hannah Sue Burnett and Jacqueline Mars' 15-year-old Oldenburg mare, RF Demeter (Rubin Royal x Patricia). The pair scored a 46.0 for ninth position.

The second part of the CIC3* dressage will commence tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. local time.

CIC3* results can be viewed here.