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Sometimes, as an eventing journalist, every indicator of form, every number you crunch, every likelihood you put forth crumbles under the impact of a classic fairytale eventing day. It happened a few years ago in Aachen, when Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH held a commanding lead, and I joined Diarm Byrne of EquiRatings on his Eventing Podcast to discuss the seeming inevitability of his win in the next days cross-country. There looked, we said, to be no room for any other outcome to the competition; with the buzz of unpredictability removed, we had to find our thrills in other avenues, like, we suggested, the sheer thrill of being able to witness total sporting dominance from one of eventings greatest riders of all time, if not thegreatest rider of all time.Then, cross-country happened, and Michi won, but then he didnt he was belatedly awarded a flag penalty and toppled down the leaderboard, giving Sandra Auffarth the victory and throwing up a plot-twist storyline that none of us could have anticipated. It was a day I learned how thrilling, how discombobulating, it can be to be totally and utterly wrong.This morning, as I wrote the final horse inspection report and pointed out that two-phase Luhmhlen CCI5* leader Ros Canter and Izilot DHI had two rails and a second on the clock in hand, I said the following: its hard to imagine, now, a scenario in which the Pau winners dont win this class. Izilot hasnt had a rail down in an FEI class since his CCI2*-S debut five years ago.But I knew, even as I wrote it, that eventing doesnt always work that way. If you were to put money on the outcome of todays competition, youd have been silly to bet in any other direction than on Ros though the odds would have been so short that the pay-off would have been pretty minimal. But theres a reason eventing isnt a betting mans game, and theres a reason we all return to it, hungry for more, even when its beaten us down and worn us out and made us doubt the bedrock of our worlds. We return for the magic, and the days when kismet wins out.That clear round feeling: Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney dArville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Luhmhlen is renowned for building a big, tough showjumping track thats the hardest of the five-stars. Today, it absolutely was every inch a top-tier track, and just six of the 31 starters were able to come home clear and inside the time allowed. When Belgiums Lara de Liedekerke-Meier did so on her homebred five-star debutant, Hooney dArville, the cheer from the packed stands was colossal, and Laras emotion palpable. Then, she returned to the collecting ring, organised her feelings, celebrated with her horse, and didnt watch either of the two rounds to come.But she knew, part way through second-placed Jennifer Kuehnles round, that the 22-year-old Irish rider had tipped two poles, which was enough to push her up into second place.Second place thats very good, she thought to herself, and settled into the comfortable notionno more of climbing there was no way, after all, that Ros would have two fences down with her excellent jumping horse, who had won Pau last year over an equally tough showjumping track.And then her husband, Belgian team trainer and former top-level German competitor Kai Steffen Meier, came towards her in the collecting ring.He didnt say anything he just came to me and he cried. He didnt say anything! she laughs. Then he hugged me you won, he said. I said no, Ros didnt have two down her horse is a good jumper. No, no you won, he said and then all the Belgians arrived and jumped on me.Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney dArville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Lara didnt believe that it could be true until someone was able to pull up the live leaderboard and show her her name at the top and the name of her eleven-year-old mare, in whom shes placed so much hope. Ros Canter and Izilot DHI had indeed had two rails, both very close to the end of the course: the first had fallen at fence 11 of 13, and the second at the first part of the double at 12A. Both could have come down and still secured her the win, but the time on todays track had proven hard to catch all morning long and so ultimately, it was 2 time penalties that clinched it, moving Ros and Isaac down to a very respectable fourth and opening the door for Lara to take the win by 0.4 penalties. In doing so, she becomes Belgiums first-ever five-star winner, having climbed from first-phase sixth on a score of 31.6 plus 4 time penalties yesterday but this week, her expectations had only ever gone as far as hoping to sharpen up her riding and reactions ahead of the Paris Olympics, for which she has an extraordinary five horses qualified.I never thought there would be a chance [of winning], she admits. I just knew I had a good horse, and I was in tunnel [vision] I just wanted to jump the best round I could. Im quite a slow rider in the jumping, which cost me victory at Boekelo last year, and it cost me the Seven Year Old World Championship last year, and so I thought, you know what, its going to cost me something again but lets try to jump clear.The girl came good: Lara de Liedekerke-Meier celebrates her special homebred Hooney. Photo by Tilly Berendt.That acceptance allowed her to keep her head on the long pull down to the final fence, which followed along the edge of the arena after the influential double, and invited riders to rush and panic and or pull and miss to the last. But Lara was determined to do none of those things.A lot of people did nine [strides] to the last, and my jumping trainer said, its definitely eight, so just keep going to the last one, she says. I almost lifted my head to watch the clock [on the screen in front of me] but I didnt, and then I didnt care, Id just jumped clear!Then, though, I looked at the clock, and I was like oh were inside the time!, she laughs. Its just one of those days. Im always watching them on social media and Im never thinking Im part of them. Maybe I should have a bit more self confidence here and there but I do think that at some point, if you just keep working and keep believing and having good horses, then one day, it just comes together. Today was my day.Working and believing in her horses, even if she struggles to believe in herself have been the watchwords for Lara. Shes one of the busiest riders on the European eventing circuit, as evidenced by her abundance of Olympic-qualified horses, and she continually produces horses from the ground up, including those from her small breeding programme at Arville, where shes based with Kai and their two children. And its always been hope, and that dogged belief, thats pulled her through even when thing have gotten really, really hard to deal with.Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney dArville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.One of the low points that shes overcome came at this very venue. In 2011, Lara rode Hooneys mother, the excellent Nooney Blue, at the European Championships here. Nooney Blue was, at that point, her horse of a lifetime: together, theyd come up through the Junior and Young Rider teams, and made their Senior debut at the 2010 World Championships.But 2011 was to be her last year of competition.She broke down in the European Championship during cross country, and that was the last time I rode her, says Lara, who has referred to her successes here this week as revenge on the past. She needed to go back in the trailer back to the stables. We didnt know how bad the injury was, and then I just wanted to bring her home and to give her time and then we try to have a foal. At first it didnt work, and then this one, Hooney, came. My dad will probably have already sent me a message that [this win] is thanks to him, who went to pick up the semen!Because Hooney had her mothers huge shoes to fill, though, Lara found it difficult to remove the weight of expectation from her as she produced her.Ive been really hard on this horse, because I think I was so emotionally involved, she admits, explaining that she would take it personally if the mare made a mistake an emotional response and tangible disappointment that then led to Hooney and her rider losing faith in one another.I so wanted her to become a good horse, and she has been really tricky. Shed have fences down, or go up in the dressage, or not look at jumps. Shes proven [what a talent she is] today, but it was hard to believe [for a long time]. I knew that everyone was right, and she was a good horse, but I thought I was maybe just not the right rider, which was hard for me to understand.A partnership forged through meeting in the middle: Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney dArville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.The turning point came for the mare when Lara learned to remove the pressure something thats only totally fallen into place this season.I have four other horses qualified for the Olympics and I thought, you know, shes not ready to go for the Olympics anyway, and I just took off the pressure, she says. With that in mind, she decided to aim for a step up to five-star instead, to further develop her horse and also to give herself a challenge and keep herself on her A-game ahead of Paris.I never came here thinking Im going to be [in the top spot]. I never thought I would even be at the press conference! Last time I did a 5* was in 2017, and its a long time having children and building a business and all that, it took a lot of time, she says.Yesterday, she summed up the process of learning to work with the mare perfectly: I didnt take her just as one of the horses I had in my yard it needed to be this horse who needed to step up. So I think maybe [her being tricky], it was more my mistake, she said after her cross-country round. But now I accept that she cannot be under too much pressure. I accept that shes sometimes a bit spooky. I accept that she jogs in the walk, and I think because she feels Im not getting upset she tries harder, while before it was just like, she thought, anyway, shes never happy with me! I dont think I was ever not happy with her, but I think she disappointed me. I was much more emotional about her. The other horses, theyd jog, and Id say, okay, they jog. I go do the job, I finish, its fine. Ive got all the time in the world for them, whereas with her it was always like, why didnt she do it right?Lara celebrates with her team, including husband Kai and groom Betti Cardi. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Even once shed decided to make the entry here an entry that husband Kai wasnt initially on board with, as he didnt want Lara to take unnecessary risks ahead of the Olympics she had her doubts. Those came not least because of the recent tragic passing of Georgie Campbell, who was honoured this week by purple and white flower decorations around the main arena and who each and every rider had in their minds as they tackled the combined test of balancing competitionand fresh, sharp grief.Its been ten years now since Ben Winter died here, and now Georgie, she says. I still think the sport is fantastic, and Im never doubting that I want to do this sport. But for sure, when you see your children while youre leaving the start box yesterday, I had a chat with Pietro Roman in the warm-up, and I said to him, why are we doing this? But then you go and you just do it, and you have this partnership with your horse and everything that youve worked for for so long. And I think, we can have a car accident or something at any time, so we shouldnt be scared of anything we love. Sometimes accidents do happen, and I try not to think like that, but for sure, when the stress level is high, you have all these misty emotions in your head. You have to make it clear. Yesterday, I jumped fence one with a lot of emotions, fence two with a lot of doubts, and from fence three, everything was clear again in my head.Nothing will ever completely heal the wound thats left in the sport when we lose one of our own; the loss of Georgie, like the loss of Ben ten years ago, will knit over into a hard knot of scar tissue that we will all carry with us. But Laras words are a sage reminder of the love, the work, the passion, and the community that will keep us all working on making each day better than the last.Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney dArville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I love it every day I do it. I love being with horses, she says. That, too, pulled her up from her last low ebb two years ago, which marked the rock bottom before an incredible trajectory that shes been climbing ever since.Two years ago was really hard. Falling at fence one at the World Championships was awful when youre on your head on the ground, and your horse is standing there, youre just like, no, Ive got to wake up, it cant be true. And then my husband changed job from a rider to the Team Manager for Belgium, and that changed a lot of my [mental] balance, too. I always wanted to please him and never put him in a position that he had to choose me over other people. Im quite weak at staying strong mentally, and I need, really, to have an organisation and a plan. Now, Im much stronger because I understand my mindset much easier, but before it was limited. Now Im trusting the process much more.And now, too, we hope that Lara will see in herself what so many around her have seen for so long: a true champion.Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Tom McEwen was able to climb up two places to finish second with CHF Cooliser, who finished in the same place at Pau on her five-star debut in 2021. This season marks a long-awaited return to competition for the sparky 14-year-old, who sat out 2023 after finishing eleventh at Burghley the autumn prior.Her exceptional week as pathfinder for this class began with a 30.8, which was good enough to see her sit fourth after dressage. She held the same placing after yesterdays cross-country, in which she added 5.2 time penalties while giving the rest of the field to come a confidence-boosting masterclass in how to navigate its twists and turns. Today, she added nothing to her score with an attacking, nippy round that, Tom explains with a laugh, was very much Elizas way or the highway.Im just delighted with the way that Cooliser went about her job today, he says. Shes very game in the arena I remembered why I couldnt go any faster yesterday, because I dont really have that much control [when I do!]. Even though Ive barely asked her anything, she seems to want to have an argument and tell me that Im wrong, so its just much easier going her way!But Elizas feisty red-headedness is what makes her such a gritty, great eventing horse and Tom, whos learned when and how to negotiate with her, and when to let her pick her pace and support her through it, is thrilled to have her back in his string of top-level horses.Im delighted with how the whole week has gone with all my horses, he says, referring to the game efforts of five-star debutant Brookfield Quality, who ran very well but pulled up late on course with a nosebleed, and JL Dublin, who he had in the CCI4*-S vying for Olympic selection.Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Another British rider doing double duty across the classes was Yasmin Ingham, who finished third in the CCI5* for the second year in a row with Rehy DJ and also executed a serious climb up from first-phase 28th place to do so.I think this is the story of eventing its why its a three phase competition, she says. Its never over until we finish on the final day, and you just need to believe; you must never give up. I believe that Im sat on a brilliant jumping horse his best phases are the cross country and the showjumping, so I was very much looking forward to Saturday and Sunday this weekend.It was a little bit disappointing, she says, to begin her week on an uncharacteristic 36.9, but, she says sagely, he just wasnt quite on side with me as much as he can be, so well go away and work a little bit harder with that and try and come out next time and be a little bit more competitive with the dressage. But my goodness, he is just the most incredible jumping horse, and he gives me the most amazing feeling in the showjumping. Hes careful and fast and an absolute pleasure to ride, so I feel very lucky to be the one piloting him.Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Yas and Piglets clear inside the time today boosted them a further three places from the 22 they climbed yesterday when adding just 2 time penalties to their first-phase score.He was very, very on it the whole way around, she says of their cross-country round. He never looks like hes going that fast, but hes very easy in that I dont really have to set him up for the fences. Hes quite adjustable, so I can just ride in a rhythm the whole way around the course. He makes it easy for me to not be fighting we just stay in the same cruising rhythm.He was looking for the flags the whole way around and he was very brave and confident everywhere. I think its safe to say he likes Luhmhlen; he was third here last year as well, so Im very proud of him to have another 5* podium.Their partnership has been forged from the earliest stages of Yass professional career.Ive had him since a very, very young horse, and weve gone up the levels together. We were at the Young Rider Europeans in 2018 and he was fourth he nearly won the Bronze medal. So to have come up from literally Novice together, its just a dream. Im very proud of him for our journey together, and Im excited to see that maybe we can climb even further up a 5* leaderboard in the future.Ros Canter and Izilot DHI. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Though Ross drop to fourth will be a surprise and a disappointment, the week has also been an incredible showcase of the quirky, talented young horses ability and mental maturity. Hes historically struggled with spooky demons, but this week, he danced his way to the first-phase lead on a score of 24.9 without batting an eyelid at all the decorations and atmosphere of the main arena, and then looked exceptional and totally focused across the country en route to adding just 2 time penalties and holding that lead overnight. Today, he jumped exceptionally, and while it wasnt their day, Ros will no doubt leave the event emboldened by how well Isaacs continuing development is going. And there will, make no doubt about it, be another major win on the horizon for them.Alice Casburn and Topspin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.22-year-old Alice Casburn was no doubt disappointed to begin her week with a dressage score of 38 several points higher than expected with her homebred Topspin, but that disappointment will be far behind her.Now, the pair can boast their third five-star top-ten finish, adding fifth place behind Ros and Izilot DHI in the final standings here to their Burghley seventh and fifth places, picked up in 2023 and 2022, respectively.No one who has followed the pair for the past few seasons will be much surprised, though: theyve now tackled seven five-stars, jumped clear around five of them, and squeezed in an individual bronze medal at the Young Rider Europeans in between them in 2022, too. Though Topspin, who still lives in the stable he was born in, and whose dam and granddam were competed by Alices mother, Caroline, isnt a 20s scorer on the flat, hes a canny, capable, confident cross-country horse and an excellent showjumper, as is his petite, gutsy rider. Together, the pair have tackled puissance courses, have showjumped plenty, have stepped up to the highest ranks of eventing, and have forged a partnership that looks like a pony novel writ large.And, of course, today they jumped a quick clear round to add no penalties and become one of just two pairs to finish on their dressage score this week. Its classic eventing at its best, and a testament, too, to Luhmhlens well-earned status as a five-star competition, even if its occasionally underestimated by those whove not yet been to it.Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Heraldik Girl. Photo by Tilly Berendt.It would have been easy and, perhaps, lazy to have written off Kirsty Chaberts teeny-weeny Opposition Heraldik Girl (yet another homebred!) coming into this event. It was to be her third-ever attempt at five-star; on her debut, which came at Pau last year, she was eliminated for a horse fall on cross-country, and at Badminton this year, she was withdrawn before cross-country.But actually, though she be but little, she is fierce, and all that something that could just as easily be said about Kirsty, who has produced the mare through her career. Theyd had plenty of good, quite quick, decisive cross-country runs previously, and, most notably, a lot of very, very tidy showjumping rounds.It was the latter that clinched an exceptional finish for the pair today over Luhmhlens notoriously big, tough, technical showjumping track. Theyd been out in the boondocks after dressage, sitting 26th on a score of 36.7, but yesterdays cross-country round, in which they added just 4.8 time penalties, saw them boosted to eighth place. Today, they delivered one of just six clears inside the tight time to step up another two places to a final sixth.Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Its been an extraordinary five-star debut for 22-year-old Irish rider Jennifer Kuehnle, who delivered the first clear round inside the time on yesterdays cross-country with Polly Blue Eyes and then jumped a classy clear just after the major storm to add 14 time faults with second ride Sammy Davis Junior.That was enough to put her in second with the first horse and twelfth with the second going into todays showjumping finale and when she came into the ring early in the order with Sammy Davis Junior, she showed exactly why, as a teenager, she enjoyed such success on showjumping teams. They delivered a capable clear just one second over the time allowed, which boosted them up to an eventual eighth.The podium finish wasnt to be with Polly Blue Eyes, but her two rails, which came at fence 8 and fence 12A, the first part of the double, only dropped her a handful of places, and she comes away from her first crack at this level in seventh with her German-bred mare. Its an extraordinary testament to the rising talent in the Irish ranks and the self-belief that Irelands recent successes, starting with Austin OConnors victory at Maryland last year, are engendering among them.David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Great Britains David Doel and his Burghley runner-up Galileo Nieuwmoed added another five-star to their top-ten tally theyve previously placed at Burghley, Badminton, Pau, and Kentucky and added their ninth consecutive international placing to their record when taking ninth place today. Though they might not have done so in the way theyd have like to, tipping fences 8 and 10 and adding 2 time penalties, they still roundly impressed this weekend: theirs was the fastest round of the day yesterday, some seventeen seconds inside the time, and its getting harder and harder to imagine that theyll be kept out of the top spot at this level for long.Pietro Sandei and Rubis de Prere. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Italys Pietro Sandei and his stalwart partner, the nineteen-year-old Rubis de Prere, put a tricky morning behind them they were held for the second time this week at this mornings final horse inspection to deliver the goods in the ring. They left every jump in its cup and added a relatively scant 1.2 time penalties to put a cap on their weeklong climb from nineteenth and finish tenth their best-ever finish at the level.Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Emily Hamel and Corvett jumped a characteristic ebullient round that unfortunately tipped one rail the first part of the double at 12A and saw them add 2.8 time penalties, but that didnt stop many of the riders gathered around the ringside from digging their start lists out of their pockets to check out the breeding of big-jumping Barry and marvel at the pairs style. It also wasnt a mistake that cost them any placings from last nights finish; in fact, they were able to climb one spot to finish fifteenth, completing a very respectable rise from first-phase 35th.Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna had two late-course rails down at fences 10 and 11, and they, too added time, putting an additional 3.6 time penalties on their score card to take 30th place. Their weekend, which saw them battle some of the worst of the weather on the cross-country course yesterday, will have given the talented gelding a wealth of valuable experience as Katherine looks ahead to, hopefully, an autumn start at Boekelos Nations Cup finale and then a trip to Kentucky next spring, all being well.And so, for now, we come to the end of the CCI5* at Luhmhlen but thats not all from us. Keep it locked on EN for a full report from todays CCI4*-S showjumping finale, which also hosted the German National Championships and acts as a crucial final selection trial for the Paris Olympics, and stand by, too, for plenty more from Germany over the next few days, including an exclusive interview with Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and husband Kai on balancing team and marital duties, the uptick of Belgium, and much, much more.Until then: Go Eventing!The top ten after an emotional whirlwind of a morning at the Luhmhlen CCI5*.ENs coverage of the Longines LuhmhlenHorse Trials is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, your go-to source for science-backed nutritional support across all types of horses, disciplines, and needs. Click here to learn more about what KPP can do for your horse thank you for supporting our wonderful sponsors!Longines Luhmhlen:Website | Entries | Timetable | Live Scores | Tickets | Livestream | ENs Coverage

This holiday season, Premier Equine channels the spirit of Show Jumping - discover the collection of gifts available for you, your horse, loved ones, and show jumping enthusiasts.Show jumping is an intense and exciting discipline that tests the skills of riders and horses alike. The elements of trust, talent, training, love, and danger involved makes for the sport to be a thrilling and atmospheric experience for riders and spectators. For this seasons blog we have been able to provide you with main insights into the discipline and key products, with an exclusive Q&A series and Christmas wish list from show jumper Florencia Munk!With 2024 fast approaching, Florencia shared with us that her plans and ambitions for the year ahead of us is to, "keep learning, enjoying, and competing. My main goal for the start of next year is to compete a Mini-prix (1.35m)." Displaying strong bonds with her horses, Florencia shares her current challenges and her day-to-day life with her current horse Geo.Q) What do you love most about Show Jumping?A) The thrill of jumping is hard to explain, but impossible to forget once you've experienced it. I love the power, adrenaline, speed, and the feeling of flying.Q) Does your riding equipment and tack change depending on the level you are competing/riding at?A) I ride one horse and we usually compete at 1.20m/1.30m. I have differentequipment that I use for training at home and out at shows compared to when i'm competing. I save my best saddle pads, ear bonnets, boots, and riding gear for competitions, especiallythe classic pieces.Q) Do you prefer riding tights or breeches, or does this depend on what you're doing? Which are your favourites and why?A) I like both breeches and tights, but I incline towards breeches as I find the zipper and buttons easier to put on than a tight, especially when it's too hot and sticky (I live in Texas, so hot weather and humidity is a big issue).The Coco and Torino are my favourite breeches, although I find the Milliania breeches the cutest. When it comes to the Ralla breeches, these have been the best breeches to flatter my figure the most.Not a breech, but the Ombretta base layer is one of my favourites in my closet: I have it in every colour except black and green. I even have two navy's! I also have two white Ombretta base layers to compete in.Q) What riding gloves do you use? (Is there a particularcolour, material, or grip you prefer?)A) I like Premier Equine gloves, right now I own andride using the Presa. Typically, I like using synthetic gloves as they tend to be slightly thinner and take the shortest amount of time to adapt to my hand. I feel they are better for contact with my horse and protect my hands.Q) What saddle do you use and why? If you were going to buy a new saddle from our range which one would it be?A) I'm currently using an Argentinean saddle. When I moved to Texas and was shopping for a saddle, I wanted to get the Chamonix Leather Close Contact Jump Saddle. I'd definitely like to try it in the future.Q) Which saddle pad do you use and why? Is there a saddle pad you would like but haven't got yet?A) For Competitions, I have a black Premier Equine Saltare saddle pad and a wine Alberta saddle pad. I like to swap and mix up my looks with Quino when we're competing. I also use the Tech Grip Pro Anti-Slip Correction pad as it helps deliver a better fit for my saddle and adds more comfort for my horse, Quino.When it comes to everyday, I've been waiting to try the Close Contact Air Technology Anti-Slip Jump Square, or the Close Contact Tech Grip Pro Anti-Slip Jump Square.For competitions, I've been looking to get the Azzure Anti-Slip Satin Jump Square, every colour is just amazing!Q) Are there any other Show Jumping specific products you use and why?A) In competitions I like using the Fenwick Mask as well as the PE ear bonnets. The mask keeps Quino focused and relaxed, makes him feel better.

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Following the completion of Longines Luhmhlen this weekend, the German Olympic Equestrian Committee (DOKR) has named its final nominated list of competitors for the Paris Olympics in July. While the Block 1 of rides is the federations first choice for the eventual three-combination team, final decisions will be made at CHIO Aachen during the first weekend in July. This nominated list also does not account for traveling reserve and alternate designations, so there will still be more information to be revealed in a few weeks time.The longlist comprises three blocks, as follows:Block 1(alphabetical order):Sandra Auffarth (Ganderkesee) with Viamant du MatzMichal Jung (Horb) with fischerChipmunk FRHChristoph Wahler (Bad Bevensen) with Carjatan SBlock 2(shunted):Malin Hansen-Hotopp (Gransebieth) with Carlitos Quidditch KJrme Robin (Warendorf) with Black IceBlock 3(alphabetical order):Nicolai Aldinger (Salzhausen) with TimmoCalvin Bckmann (Warendorf) with The Phantom of the OperaMichael Jung with Kilcandra Ocean PowerJulia Krajewski (Warendorf) with NickelDirk Schrade (Heidmhlen) with CasinoAnna Siemer (Salzhausen) with Butts Avondale FRH.Christoph Wahler with DAccord FRH.View more of ENs coverage of the Paris Olympics here.

Eventing 2023 - An Honest Reflection.It is always good to look back over the season, after having a moment to process the whirlwind of a years eventing! Here at Meridian Stud, there have been some memorable results along with the inevitable highs and lows.My last blog focused on homebred 5 year old Merdianway Victory and his success at the Burghley Young Event Horse final finishing 11th. This was such a great day for everyone involved, especially the horse, who really came into his own. He looks to have an exciting future ahead. 5 year old MBF Jackpot also performed admirably all year. Taking to the eventing gam so easily, winning two events and finishing with a brilliant double clear at Cournbury 5 year old championships. It is very exciting to have these two for next year and beyond.Higher up the levels, I was really pleased to qualify KEC Delicate Girl for the Novice Championships at Gatcombe. She put in a great performance in the showjumping, in very challenging conditions, before the event was sadly abandoned. But great to have got there. However, to remain true to the blog's title and give a full picture of the year, it has been far from plain sailing!My most seasoned campaigner, Piccolo V, picked up a small injury just before eventing began in March. Although not a disaster, for me mentally to have him as part of the team to keep my confidence up was a challenge. I was then quite surprised that it took us some time to get back up and running after his break.Hazard Z has always shown real promise and has super scope. However, after posting five double clears on the trot, including a top 10 placing at Tweseldown in the Intermediate, the wheels seem to come off. After a challenging time with him at Upton, it seemed that fate intervened. Our lorry broke down and Team O'conner kindly offered to take Harry (Hazard Z) home. He then spent some time there, with Austin doing a super job which culminated in 2nd place at Cornbury in the Intermediate. I have since had two confidence-bulidng runs on him and hopefully, we are now back on track. Sometimes you have to know when a change of scene or change of jockey can make a difference. As always it takes the eventing village...!I also always find it interesting how the year can unravel so differently, from 1. What have you planned, 2. How can each individual horse progresses. A great example of this, is with the two 5 year olds. Jack remained super confident (at times almost a bit too bold!) throughout the year, whereas Victor I had to be mindful to keep his confidence high and take it morse slowly. They both finished the year feeling great in their respective classes (with Victor finishing 3rd at Tweseldown 100 in his last event, and I have already mentioned Jack's Cornbury triumph), but the path they took to get me there was quite different.With both mares I have competed, KEC Delicate Girl (Delphi) & Timpex Karizma (Kizzy), I had to be aware of keeping them happy in their minds and their bodies. I had rider falls off with of them mid-season and had to build back up from those. Kizzy came back especially well picking up 2nd at Swalcliffe, which was rewarding for the work put in. With her, our team of farrier and vets worked really hard ti address some foot balance issues - it was real attention to detail stuff, but this is so important when competing horses and we owe it to them to leave no stone unturned when it comes to their welfare.Moving onto a more light hearted note, I have been showing our last homebred Fly the sights and sounds as he is now 4.Fly and water jumps seem to have provided some of the funniest moments of the year. During his first ever schooling trip at Chiltern XC, it took our lovely livery Philippa and her horse Fitz to get him in, where he then played with his head in Philippa's lap as a comfort blanket! He then knocked me over when trying to lead him into the water at Boomerang and I got very wet! The joys of young horses! But I am pleased to report that he is gradually progressing with his confidence with water, so the patience and time (not to mention the soakings) were worth it!The winter months now lie ahead, which can seem quite daunting after the warmer summer months eventing. I do look forward to field mastering for the Berks & Bucks draghounds during our downtime, a day with them always provides some winter fun for both horses and I. There is nothing like jumping hedges with no pressure to put a smile on everyone's faces!During the off season, we will do a review of the competition horses looking at their performance across all 3 phases. Looking at statistical analysis helps to set goals for next year and create a winter training programme needed to get there. This helps with the daily grind and gets some focus into training. So, for next year, my hopes would be:To qualify Jack and Victor for 6 year old finals at Cornbury and possible selection for Le LionDoing a 3*L on DelphiTaking Pickle AdvancedProducing new rides Ava and Ricky up the levels and to a potential 3 day.It is a big list, and there will undoubtedly be some twists and turns along the way, but I am looking forward to working & training hard to see what I can make possible!

Take the stress out of Christmas this year with our ultimate gift guide for horse and rider.This holiday season, Premier Equine has hand picked an exclusive collection of gifts available for you, your horse, and loved ones this Christmas. In our curated edit, you'll find treats to suit all tastes- from stocking fillers to staple wardrobe pieces and gifts for the ultimate equestrian Christmas.Festive Mini'sTake a look at our festive mini's, whether you are looking for that last small gift to add to your stocking, or an accessory to match and elevate a main gift.Sports Series Riding socks - Elevate your look this Christmas with a new pair of performance riding socks, designed for the active equestrian. Crafted from a quality cotton blend providing 4-way stretch, high breathability and moisture wicking properties, these socks not only look stylish, but deliver advanced technology helping to achieve an optimal performance. RRP 9.00Grooming Kit- Treat yourself and your horse to a new soft-touch grooming kit set this Christmas. Perfect for use at home or competitions. With four colours to choose from, add bright and vibrant colours to your yard. RRP 42.00Helmet Bag - This helmet bag is perfect for protecting your riding hat from dust, dirt, and scratches when it's not in use. Featuring a zipped compartment at the front, enabling you to keep your riding accessories such as gloves and hair nets all in one place. Added studded feet and a sturdy structural base enhances the protection of the valuable contents helping to reduce unnecessary wear to the base. RRP 32.00Ballistic No-Turn Over reach Boots - Engineered with an anti-rotational, no-turn nodule which helps prevent them from spinning keeping them in the correct position. The technical ballistic material, pique jersey, and ultra-shock lining work together to prevent perforation and provide optimum impact protection. These overreach boots are available in eight colours with matching products available across our range for both horse and rider. RRP 28.00Close Contact Cotton Saddle Pads - This saddle pad would be ideal for the active equestrian looking to spoil their horse this Christmas and elevate their look. The CC Cotton Saddle Pads have a traditional quilting pattern and have beencrafted with 100% cotton for comfort and performance. Available in GP/Jump and Dressage cuts, the saddle pad has been engineered with wicking fibres to draw moisture away from the skin and highly absorbent Air Tech mesh lining allows your horse to stay comfortable during exercise. A 600-denier polyester girth panel provides anti-rub protection and adjustable D loop straps to allow a secure fitting to the saddle. RRP 44.00Mizar Ladies Leather Riding Gloves- The Mizar Leather Riding Gloves are made from an extremely soft leather with breathable Lycra paneling on the knuckle and thumb area, increasing mobility and comfort. Featured suede sections on the fingers increases grip, whilst ventilation holes along the tops of the fingers work to keep your hands cool and dry. Complete with an adjustable pull-tight Velcro closure and 'PE' branding. These gloves have a classic look with an innovative, modern twist. Suitable for all disciplines the Mizar gloves will help you perform at your best in style. RRP 32.00Respiro Polo Shirt- An exemplary gift for him this Christmas! Iconic design and sustainable materials provide an elite turn-out and performance. The stylish look of the Respiro men's polo is the perfect addition to your equestrian wardrobe or country smart-casual outfit. The timeless, classical finish adds sophistication to any outfit allowing you to be confident in the spotlight. RRP 40.00Fancy Footwork In Stand Out HuesJust in for Christmas! The Levade Ladies Leather Dressage Boot has arrived just in time to order for dressage enthusiasts this christmas.Levade Ladies Long Leather Dressage Boots-These exceptionally long leather riding boots are crafted specifically for dressage from high-quality European and patent leather. The traditional knee-high length is embellished with patent leather around the outer calf and a metallic detail at the knee offers a sophisticated appearance during everyday leisure or competition use. RRP 240Maurizia Ladies Tall Lace Front Riding Boots- A staple boot for every equestrian, tailored in standout hues! Offering a bespoke fitting to each and every rider's leg through the tailored lace front closure, these boots offer an abundance of style and demand attention when in the arena and on the yard. A traditional handmade sole and heel adds to the craftsmanship of the boot, combined with a dual density foam cushioning system anatomically designed to reduce strain on the foot from impact. RRP 200Modern IconsTake a look at our most wanted products.Sophia Full Seat High Waisted Riding Breeches - The Sophia high waisted riding breeches are one of our most popular picks amongst our customers! Providing a timeless, classical style with technically advanced properties, the Sophia is an ultimate staple transeasonal breech. These are also available in in white and vanilla, enabling you to wear your favourite style for both competition and casual use.Ombretta Ladies Technical Riding Baselayer - Who doesn't need a base layer? Style meets performance with the Ombretta Ladies Riding Top. Base layers are an essential item for any equestrian. Despite them being worn for an extra layer of insulation, the garment moderates your body temperature keeping the wearer warm during cold conditions and cool during hot conditions. This factor alone makes them a brilliant and wise choice for any rider across all the seasons. Especially as a gift!This iconic staple piece is available in seven colourways and has colour matching products available in horsewear. Why not try mix and match, our colour combinations are endless.

Last week was the week of the championships. Having only competed twice at Inter 2 I decided to go to a competition at Wellington on the Monday before the Championships to familiarise myself with it again. It was very beneficial and gave me a few pointers to remember to work on in my warm-up. Friday morning Paul and I drove up to Arena UK ready to perform my test at 14.30. It was very windy when I got on to warm up and Bugatti was feeling a little spicy as I walked him to the warm-up arena! A few times I wished I had my neck strap on as he leapt in the air! This meant I had to restructure my warm-up a little in order to get Bugatti thinking forward and not putting his back up and trying to buck! In the test he was phenomenal! I was quite nervous and felt I let him down a couple of times, however watching the video back he really had my back as you couldnt see that at all. We scored fairly well and ended up 2 points in the lead on the first day. The following day was the music freestyle day! Bugatti felt very calm and bouncy in the arena familiarisation in the morning, which was lovely. Bugatti did a beautiful test apart from the two lines of changes. We finished 4th in the freestyle by 1%. Once the sores were added together we still came out on top meaning we were the winners! I am over the moon with Bugatti who has gone above and beyond trying for me this month. We had a steep learning curve and he really helped me pull out all the stops! To think we have been crowned silver Middle Tour champions for 2023 makes me feel very very proud! The videos of the two tests are on our Team Tapner Facebook page. Bugatti will now have a holiday for a few weeks.- Georgina Tapner-Tapner Eventing Team - Sponsored by PE

Down-TimeAlong with our panic to get some music sorted for the freestyle test, Paul and I had booked a holiday! Not ideal timing, and my horses were meant to be having some time off during this period. I contemplated sending Bugatti to my trainer for her to school a few times, but I really felt he needed a break mentally and physically. So I decided to give him a light week.Annoyingly, we don't hack Bugatti. All our horses hack but he is really naughty and likes to display his 'airs above ground' unless he is made to trot out to keep his brain occupied! For a dressage horse, this isn't downtime, so after hecame home on his own a few times, we took the decision that sadly hacking isn't a safe option for him.So his light week included a few sessions on the horse walker and some lunging. He loves going out in the field - so we included plenty of all-day turnouts, and when I returned home to ride him on Monday, he felt very happy and good in his body.Refining theTestWe don't have a correctly sized (20m x 60m) arena at home to practice the test to music for accuracy - we have to hire one. On Tuesday we drove to the arena and went through our freestyle. There are only so many times I can ride Bugatti through the test as it is quite intense for him. I also need to keep schooling the movements individually in order to improve them, or at least not go backwards!We video our schooling sessions so I can re-watch, work out how the music changes, and I can learn exactly when I'm supposed to be doing what! The video of our test is on our Facebook site if anyone would like to watch it.We are now around 10 days from the championships and on Monday I have a competition to run through the actual inter 2 test. This means I have to be very mindful of exactly what work Bugatti is doing in order to get him to the competition feeling as good as he can. With this in mind, physio and massages are booked for him and I'm on the cider to keep control of my nerves!- Georgina Tapner-Tapner Eventing Team - Sponsored by PE

PreFall Collections 23 - Rich Warm TonesThe new season is right around the corner: don't just get noticed, be remembered for your sense of style. High fashion and strong colours have led the way in 2023 pre-fall collections. An abundance of rich red and green hues have been unveiled and paired with orange, blue, and fawn tones keeping with the traditional autumnal transition.Impactful in its simplicity: the monochromatic head-to-toe look delivers an immaculate balance of casual, yet polished aesthetic. The stylish trend creates a unified look and has become increasingly popular following this season's emerging fashion trends, as seen with our sponsored rider Olivia Sealey. Premier Equine provides the modern rider with colour collections for both horse and rider.AW23 - Hybrid CollectivesPremier Equine's fall trends combine materials for the season ahead with a sportive aesthetic. Navigating the challenges of autumn weather in an ever changing climate requires forward-thinking, innovative design solutions. Focusing on a 'hybrid' philosophy, we as a company believe it is important that clothing can quickly adapt to the fluctuating weather conditions. This innovative approach includes waterproof outerwear and boots, thermo-regulating layers and water-repellent breeches, that offer highly breathable and moisture-wicking properties. Technically advanced products and materials enable riders to purchase clothing that is trans-seasonal, meaning it is suitable for more than one season.The clothing's ability to perform across different seasons and rapidly adjust to the diverse needs of riding, competing, and yard work helps equestrians stay comfortable during unexpected weather shifts in and out of the saddle.Shop the collection...- Rebekah Nunn- PE Design Assistant & Model

What To Do - Horse Leg Swelling During WinterWith winter incoming, it means for many of us that our horses may need to be stabled for longer periods due to the weather. When restricted to the stable, some horses can show signs of swollen or puffy legs after being stood in for longer lengths of time. Try not to worry too quickly if your horse shows these signs; take a closer look and decipher the issue as best you can to help ease the symptomsand know when to call your vet. You may be able to treat the issue with the use of cold water treatment in the form of cold hosing or horse boots used for cooling.When To Call Your Vet For Swollen Horse LegsWith swelling there can be various accompanying issues. If your horse is showing obvious signs of pain or distress, we would recommend you call your vet as soon as possible, and try to safely calm and comfort your horse without putting neither yourself nor your horse in harm's way. If there are any signs of exaggerated heat in the leg or swollen area; this could be a sign of infection and could require treatment and/or antibiotics so you would require veterinary advice as to the best course of action.Checking For WoundsCheck closely down the leg and surrounding area for any wounds - this could be the initial cause of the swelling and will need to be treated. Depending on severity, you may be able to treat this wound safely at home, but we would recommend seeking veterinary advice to support your decision. If you cannot find any related signs for the swelling, it may be worth taking your horse out of the stable and walking and/or trotting up the horse to check for any obvious signs of lameness that could be the cause. Depending on the area in question, you may seek advice from either your vet or your farrier, or both if necessary. If you are unsure, do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion - your horse's health is paramount.So why do legs sometimes swell when stabled or on box rest? Due to restricted movement, the general blood flow is decreased - much as if we stood still all day without much movement. This causes fluid build-up due to gravity, around the lower extremities of the leg (typically around the tendon and pastern areas), which appears as swelling. Often older horses are more prone to this due to natural decreased circulation which is common consequence of age.Treating Horse Leg SwellingTo treat mild swelling at home, there are some steps you can take to help alleviate the issue. A good start would be to cool the leg. The most practical option is to use cold water boots. There are many variations of these, namely the Premier Equine Cold Water Horse Boots or the Cold Water Compression Horse Boots. These are activated by being submerged in cold water, then fitted to the tendon/fetlock area to help cool and relieve the heat.If you feel like you need something colder - you could opt for horse ice boots. With these you can insert crushed ice into the pockets and apply securely to the leg, with an intense cooling effect. During the winter especially, cold hosing can be quite impractical and dangerous as the continuous run-off of the excess water can expose you to treacherously slippery areas or ice! If you do find use or end up with a slippery surrounding surface, you can use bedding, salt or sand to help reduce the risk accordingly.ImprovingCirculationIf possible, it is always best to encourage your horse to move to increase the circulation and help to disperse the build-up of fluid. Gentle exercise could be an option if you have facilities or good ground to work on, if not you could carefully hand walk your horse to help them stretch and release the fluid retention. A good thorough groom or strapping also helps to increase blood flow and circulation - so this is also a good addition.Helpful Boots, Bandages, and LegwearAs preventative and precautionary measures, it may be worth considering magnetic horse products - such as the Magnetic Horse Boot Wraps or Fetlock Boots. These products can help to increase the natural circulation to help reduce the risk of inflammation in that area. A traditional and trusted preventative method is bandaging the legs for compression. This helps to reduce and control any natural swelling incurred when stood in, whilst providing support to the tendons and ligaments.If despite these steps; your horse still has regular swelling in the limbs or you are unsure in any way at all - please contact your vet for further advice.