Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross-country course was no ‘walk in the park’, demanding precision and concentration all the way around. The fences in the stadium were particularly influential.
Laura Collett with LONDON 52 (GBR) – Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times
Overnight leader, Laura Collett (GBR) and London 52 were clear inside the time, to onto their lead (25.4):
“I’m absolutely ecstatic. 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 honour 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.”
Ros Canter with IZILOT DHI (GBR) – Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times
Yesterday they waltzed, and today Ros Canter’s 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. 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 percent. 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 with RICKER RIDGE SOOTY GNZ (NZL) -Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times
Samantha Lissington (NZL) and Ricker Ridge Sooty also mastered the challenging five-star course with flying colours, adding just 0.4 points to their dressage result (29.3):
“I’m so happy. 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. Her 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 seat of my pants and ride off feel – and that’s what I did.”
Robbie Kearns with CHANCE ENCOUNTER (IRL) -Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times
A foot perfect round from Ireland’s Robbie Kearns with Chance Encounter added just 2 time penalties to their dressage score, to move up from 37th to 11th position.
