Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig have stormed their way up the CCI5*-L leaderboard sit inside the top 10 at the end of a challenging cross country day at the Luhmuhlen Horse Trails in Germany.

Samantha was rapt with her 5* debutant. “I’m absolutely stoked,” she said. “He was so locked on, and very brave and straight in some challenging conditions. I had every faith in him being a 5* horse long term, but it’s so nice to get that gratification from a super round today in his first attempt at the level.”

Course designer Mike Etherington-Smith made it tough on the field, with only four combinations coming home clear and inside time. Samantha and Lord Seekonig added just 8.8 time penalties to finish the day on 43.5 penalty points in ninth spot.

Rosalind Canter (GBR) and Izilot DHI held on to their overnight lead, adding two time for a tally of 26.9, with Jennifer Kuehnle (IRE) and Polly Blue Eyes charging their way from 22nd after the dressage to second with their faultless round to sit on 35.5. Lara de Liedekerke-Meier (GER) and Hooney d’Arville are third on 35.6.

Tim Price and Viscount Viktor added just time for their 66 penalty points score, moving them from 34th to 20th while Muzi Pottinger and Good Timing added both time and jump for their final 95.1 tally in 30th place. There were three retirements and five eliminations during the cross country.

Clarke Johnstone and Domasco did themselves all sorts of favours with their perfect round in the CCI4*-S to fly up the leaderboard from 39th to 12th and sit on 34.9 penalty points. They were one of just two combinations to come home clear and inside time.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” he said of both Domasco and Menlo Park. “They never missed a beat from start to finish. I thought the course was great. Time was tight but the ground held up amazingly well given how much rain fell during the day. I have been sick all week with the flu so I was pretty worn out by the end, that’s for sure.” Menlo Park added just time to sit in 16th on 36.

Tim Price and Falco also added only time to move from 26th to 14th for their 35.7 tally. He and Coup de Coeur Dudevin had time in their 37.7 score to sit in 22nd, with Jonelle Price and Hiarado right behind them on 39.6.

James Avery and MBF are a couple further back on 40.5. There were seven eliminations with six other combinations withdrawing before the cross country.

Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH retained their lead despite adding 3.2 time for a day’s end total of 26.1 penalty points. Laura Collett (GBR) and London 52 stayed in second spot after adding a smidgen of time to their 26.4 effort, and Yasmin Ingham (GBR) aboard Banzai du Loir is in third on 29.3.

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THE HORSE DETAILS

Horse

Breeding

Owners

Lord Seekonig

by Lord Fauntleroy out of Seekoenigin who by Carpalo

Sharon Honiss, Annabelle and Robin Greville Williams, Brayden Lissington and Neil Robertson

Viscount Viktor

by Viscount 22 out of Noble Beauty who is by Nobre

Barbara Cooper, Glynn Norcutt, Ginny Rusher and Tim Price

Good Timing

by Nom du Jeu out of Baloushe who is by Black Minnaloushe

The Volunteer Syndicate

MBF Connection

by Luidam out of Traditionally Aloof

Hazel Liversey and James Avery

Menlo Park

by Berlin out of Faerie Queen who is by Rock King

Jean, Rob and Clarke Johnstone

Domasco

by Zoffany out of Iwunder who is by Kings Best

Clarke Johnstone

Hiarado

by Diarado out of Ubiloa who is by Ekstein

David and Karie Thomson

Falco

by Cardenio 2 out of Witta who is by Weinberg

Sue Benson and Tim Price

Coup de Coeur Dudevin 

by Top Gun Semilly out of Tiebreak Combehory who is by Leprince des Bois

Jean-Louis Stauffer and Tim Price

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ