Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, has a new route to its cross-country course this year, for the first time since the summer of 2011.
The track has plenty of loops in it, so riders will need to be on their toes to ensure they go the right way.
The course-designer is Mark Phillips.
Germany’s Michael Jung, twice winner of the CCI4* here, said: “I’m not totally convinced by the new route of the course. There are a lot of twists and turns which could potentially cause problems in the horse’s concentration.”
However, his compatriot Ingrid Klimke commented: “I‘m looking forward to riding the cross country on Saturday. It looks super, it’s a very friendly and inviting course for horse and rider.”
Ingrid picked out the Ariat Combination at fence 28ab as a fence to watch: “It would be easy to have a run-out there if you don’t set up properly.”
New Zealand’s Jonelle Price described the course as “on the nice side.”
“You don’t like to say too much until you’ve ridden it, but it’s not as technical as some of the other four-stars,” she commented.
Britain’s Coral Keen, who is riding here for the first time, said: “There are lots of big wide oxers for them to jump all the way, which could make them tired at the end. There is plenty to jump and plenty of accuracy questions.”
Fellow Brit Nicky Roncoroni, another debutant here, added: “I think the time will be influential as it is twisty and when the time is tight that always leads people to make stupid mistakes. There are a lot of jumps off turns and big spreads the whole way.”
The red numbers are for the CCI4*, the blue ones are for the supporting CIC3*.
Fence 1: Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude
Fence 2: Fledermaus Hotel
Fence 3: Trakehner
Fence 4: The Charles Owen Royal Works
Fence 5ab: Kleines Dorf
Fence 6ab: Kleines Dorf
Fence 7ab: Oxer
Fence 8ab: The Charles Owen Royal Works
Fence 8b alternative
Fence 9/10: AGCO/Fendt am Waldrand
Fence 9 alternative
Fence 11: Hühnerfarm
Fence 12abc: Am Coffin
Fence 12b alternative
Fence 13: Wittinger Bierstand
Fence 14: ICE-VIBE Jump
Fence 15: Heiners Jagdhütte
Fence 16/17ab/18ab: Meßmer Teich
Fence 17c alternative
Fence 19: Birkensprung
Fence 20: Trog
Fence 21abc: Turnierplatz Hecken
Fence 21b for the CCI4* is on the right in the picture below
Fence 22ab: Longines Kombination
Fence 23: Luhmühlen Buch
Fence 24: Gärtnerei Wredes Rennbahnsprung
Fence 25: Blair Castle Crossing
Fence 26/27ab: DHL Komplex
Fence 27ab alternative route
Fence 28abc: Ariat Horses
Fence 28a alternative
Fence 29: von Ellings Fachwekhaus
Fence 30: Luhmühlen Basket
More updates from Lühmuhlen online this week, full report in the magazine, out Thursday (25 June).