Felix Vogg and Colero win the Longines CCI5*L at Luhmühlen

Felix Vogg with Colero (SUI) win the 2022 Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen CCI5*. Photo: Irish Eventing Times

Birthday Win for Felix Vogg

Colero gave his rider a tremendous birthday present – the first five-star victory of his career! Just like the cross-country course, the show-jumping of the Longines CCI5*-L proved to be very influential. Only the top two riders stayed clear and within the time allowed. With a very fresh and smooth round, Felix Vogg (SUI) and Colero held onto their dressage score of 29.0 points. Kirsty Chabert (GBR) and Jonelle Price (NZL) completed the podium.

It was Felix Vogg’s week. He laid the foundation for today’s win on Friday with a super dressage, which was rewarded with 29.0 points. Vogg and Colero then mastered the demanding cross-country and show-jumping courses clear within the time. The Swiss rider proved to have nerves of steel: “When I rode into the arena, I just focused on keeping calm and tried to blank out everything else. That took the pressure off me and also off the horse, which was important. Even with a pole, the result would have been a personal highlight. He can jump fantastically and he showed that today.”

In the award ceremony, the 32-year-old thanked everyone who contributed to his win: “Many thanks to the audience, the horse’s breeders and the organisers. This victory is extraordinary for me!”

Kirsty Chabert was the only other rider to finish the Longines CCI5*-L on her dressage score – her biggest achievement so far: “Classic has been fantastic this whole week. She gave me a phenomenal round cross country and she’s a very, very good jumper. It’s a team effort and we go out of our way to keep her in her happy place and then she rewards us by going above and beyond.”

Kirsty Chabert with Classic VI (GBR) . Photo: irish Eventing Times

Jonelle Price’s week was off to a rocky start. “I was a little frustrated with our dressage result. Faerie is brilliant but also a right little madam. It’s her fourth time in Luhmühlen and she’s already seventeen, so you’d think she knows her job but the dressage was hard work, we had a few mistakes and during today’s prize giving I couldn’t help but think ‘what if…’. On the other hand, she gave me lovely rides in the cross country and show-jumping phases and she’s always trying to do the right thing. She’s an incredible nice little mare and deserved a podium finish. She’s also quite pretentious, so I’m sure she enjoyed the prize giving today and thinks she has won.”

Jonelle Price with Faerie Diamond (NZL) . Photo: Irish Eventing Times

The highest placed Irish combination was Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua (owned by Margaret Kinsella) who finished in 11^th Place. After a perfect clear cross country yesterday, they unfortunately had two poles down in today’s showjumping.

Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (IRL) Photo: Irish Eventing Times