Jun 17, 2022

Upton Leads Luhmulen CCI5* After Dressage, U.S. Rider Nicholson in Second

By Luhmühlen - Edited Press Release
Bobby Upton and Cannavaro. Photo courtesy of Luhmuhlen Horse Trials.

A brilliant dressage test put British rider Bubby Upton with Rachel Uptont’s 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Cannavaro (Oklund x Domina) in the lead in the five-star at Luhmulen on a score of 24.9. The value of Bubby Upton's dressage score became apparent at the end of the second dressage day. None of the other competitors were able to overtrump yesterday's performance. U.S. rider Lauren Nicholson is currently paving the way for the rest of the U.S. field sitting in second on a score of 26.7 with Jacqueline Mars’s 15-year-old Anglo Arabian gelding Vermiculus (Sazeram x Wake Me Gently) while New Zealand’s Tim Price rounds out the leaderboard in third aboard the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Vitali (Contender x Noble Lady I) who he co-owns with Alexander and Joseph Giannamore.

The 23-year-old Upton was over the moon with Cannavaro’s performance: “I’m so proud of him, he has struggled so much with the dressage but he has the biggest heart and tries ever so hard. He is the gift that keeps on giving.”

Price was pleased with Vitali’s performance, sharing, “I’m happy with our test. He was a bit of a juvenile last year and it’s been all about building him to a five-star horse that knows the job. He’s very special and he’s in good shape. He can be a little neurotic and over the top, so it’s important to keep him relaxed and with me, then he’s a super cool horse, so talented.”

Fellow U.S. rider Liz Halliday-Sharp sits in the top-five riding The Monster Partnership’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cooley Quicksilver (Womanizer x Kylemore Crystal) on a sub-30 score of 29.1. Matthew Flynn and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wizzerd x Amai) Wizzerd, owned by A. Patrick and Kathleen Flynn with Merry Go Round Farm, are seated in 16th with a 33.4 dressage score. U.S.-based Canadian rider Karl Slezak and the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Fernhill Wishes (Chacoa x KEC Galway bay) who he co-owns with Kirk Hoppner are currently ranked 24th with a score of 37.9.

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. Photo courtesy of the Luhmuhlen Horse Trials.

In the CCI4*-S, the U.S.’ Will Coleman leads the way aboard the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding and USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) graduate Chin Tonic HS (Chin Champ x Wildera) owned by Hyperion Stud LLC. Coleman sits just one point ahead of the second-place pair, Germany’s Michael Jung and the 11-year-old European Sporthorse Highlighter (Natal x ARD Silhouette) owned by himself and Brigitte, Joachim, and Philip Jung and Annette Schmid, with a score of 24.6. Coleman is the lone U.S. rider in the German four-star.

Going into Mike Etherington-Smith’s five-star cross-country course tomorrow, riders shared the following thoughts.

Tom McEwen: “I think the course is pretty intense but all the questions are more than jumpable. It’s not just the fences, you’ve got to look for the smoothest line. I really like to be a pathfinder”

Tim Price (GBR) in ninth place on a 30.9 with Bob Chaplin: “I really like the course. The questions are obvious. The waters always require good intuitive and reactive riding. And it’s a five-star so you’ve got to focus all the way around and make sure your horse is with you all the way.”

Bubby Upton (GBR) current leader with Cannavaro: “It looks like a really good track. It’s my first time here so it’s really exciting. Everything looks beautiful. I’m really excited to go out there and give it a crack.”

Sophie Leube (GER) in 7th place on a 30.6 riding Jadore Moi: "The tasks are all clear to see and we have a plan. I have to pay particular attention to the first water. That comes relatively early and I have to make sure I have her well with me beforehand because she's often a bit more brisk at the start."

Liz Halliday-Sharp (USA) in 5th place aboard Cooley Quicksilver: “I think the course will suit my horse well, that's why I brought him here to Luhmühlen. I always thought this horse is a Luhmühlen horse. It is a challenging course, a true five-star with challenging questions right until the end. But this is his third fiver star and I’m hoping for a good round.”

Helpful Links

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

Dutton and Possante Lead the Advanced Division at Millbrook Horse Trials

The Millbrook Horse Trials kicked off on July 25 with lower level dressage at Riga Meadow Equestrian Center at Coole Park in Millbrook, New York. There are more than 400 total entries competing at Millbrook, from Beginner Novice to Advanced level. Today the upper level horses cantered down the centerline, while the lower levels headed out on cross-country.

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

Adams Horse Supply to be Title Sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to announce Adams Horse Supply as the new title sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the American Eventing Championships (AEC). The ATC will now be titled “The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships at the AEC.”

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

One Spun, All U.S. Horses Pass At First Olympic Eventing Horse Inspection

The world’s best eventing horses and riders will be first out of the starting blocks when the equestrian action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, tomorrow morning with the opening dressage test.

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

USEF Announces Changes for U.S. Olympic Eventing Team Before Start of Paris 2024

The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced a change to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team prior to the start of competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Traveling reserve combination Liz Halliday and Nutcracker will move into the three-member team, replacing Will Coleman and Diabolo.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA