World no.1 Tim Price and Happy Boy who will contest the CCI5* at Luhmuhlen this week. Photo by Libby Law Photography
World no.1 Tim Price is hunting a third 5* Luhmuhlen crown when he lines up at the top-ranking German event aboard Happy Boy this week.
He’s one of just two Kiwi riders heading to Luhmuhlen where the start list certainly looks like a bit of a who’s who in eventing.
“It’s exciting to have a really nice horse who you think a lot of to step up to 5* level,” he says of the 11-year-old black gelding who is on debut at 5* but won the 4*-L at Boekelo last year. “I love Luhmuhlen – it is a great event so I always try to attend. I am looking forward to going and having a good showing.”
Happy Boy, who in 2019 won the CH-M-YH-CCI3*-L Young Horse Championships, has been consistent through the grades for Tim.
Luhmuhlen has been a happy hunting ground for Tim, with wins aboard Ascona M (2019) and Wesko (2014), with world no.3 Jonelle Price winning with Faerie Dianimo (2018) and Andrew Nicholson on Mr Cruise Control (2013).
Also starting in the 5* at Luhmuhlen is Muzi Pottinger with her World Champs mount Just Kidding. It’s their first time to Luhmuhlen but they have a Badminton completion under their belts.
The competition – as always – will be stiff. Included on the start list Laura Collett (GBR), Pippa Funnell (GBR), Oliver Townend (GBR), current world champ Yasmin Ingham (GBR), 2022 Luhmuhlen winner Felix Vogg (SUI), Kentucky 5* victor Tamra Smith (USA), and many more high ranking riders.
Many of the host nation riders have opted for the CCI4* which is the German Championships.
The event gets underway on Wednesday with the first horse inspection, with two days of dressage followed by the Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR) designed cross country and the Marco Behrens (GER) designed showjumping on the Sunday.
WHAT: Longines Luhmuhlen Horse Trials – CSI5*-L
WHERE: Luhmuhlen, Germany
WHEN: June 15-18, 2023
MORE INFO: www.luhmuehlen.de
START LISTS AND RESULTS: https://rechenstelle.de/en/agenda/2023/luhmuhlen/
LIVESTREAM: https://horseandcountry.tv
The horse details:
Happy Boy (by Indoctro out of W.Amelusina 17 who is by Odermus) – owned by Susan Lamb and Therese Miller
Just Kidding (New Zealand thoroughbred by Fusaichi Pegasus out of Gypsy Princess who is by Sadler’s Wells) – owned by The Pottinger Family
For more information, contact:
Diana Dobson
ESNZ high performance media liaison
021 222 0145
