9 Things to Watch at Luhmühlen CCI5*-L

1. The Highest-Rated Performance in Luhmühlen History

Laura Collett’s win here in 2023, finishing on a score of 20.3, is by far the best-rated individual performance ever recorded at Luhmühlen. It earned a massive 108 HPR (High Performance Rating) — over five points clear of the next best: Ingrid Klimke’s 2015 win on SAP Escada FRH and Jonelle Price’s runner-up finish on Faerie Dianimo, both scoring 103.

London 52 has only once bettered that rating, delivering a 109 when winning Badminton in 2022. Last year’s Luhmühlen triumph ranks ahead of their Pau victory and even their performance in Paris. When it comes to single-event brilliance, London 52 is the benchmark — and he’s back.

2. Can London 52 Break His Own Dressage Record?

London 52 has a staggering 50% win rate at CCI5 level*, winning three of his six completions at the top tier. Across those six appearances, he’s never scored above 21.3 in dressage — aside from Tokyo, where he posted a 25.8. Most recently, he delivered an 18.5 at Bicton, the second-best test of Laura’s career, as part of his Luhmühlen prep.

That form could see them threaten history again. The CCI5-L Luhmühlen dressage record (2008 onwards) belongs to them: 20.3, set in 2023. If they land in the teens again, it might not just lead — it might be unbeatable. Thursday scoring might suggest however that records are going to be hard to come by this year. 

3. The Only Horse Who Might Beat London 52 in Dressage? Izilot DHI

If anyone’s going to spoil the party in the first phase, it’s Izilot DHI. Ros Canter’s rising star has posted back-to-back sub-20 scores in his last two CCI5* starts: 19.9 at Burghley and 19.0 at Pau, his most recent performance.

Izilot is already a five-star winner and has five runs at the level under his belt. His range is tightening, with first phase scores now consistently in the low 20s — or below. If he lands another test in the teens this weekend, we could see the tightest dressage duel of the season.

4. The First Phase Matters — But It’s Not Everything

Since 2008, 12 of the last 16 Luhmühlen winners have been in the top five after dressage. That stat speaks volumes: if you're not up there early, your chances shrink fast.

But leading doesn't guarantee anything. Only two of the 16 dressage leaders have held on to win: Mollie Summerland with Charly van Ter Heiden in 2021, and Laura Collett with London 52 in 2023.

Expect a strong chasing pack this year behind the two favourites. Names like Gemma Stevens (Jalapeno), Kitty King (Vendredi Biats), Piggy March (Halo), and Selina Milnes (Cooley Snapchat) have the form to stay within striking range after day one.

And if you’re looking for a sleeper? Last year’s winner, Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, came from sixth after dressage. It’s rare — but not impossible.

5. Luhmühlen’s Cross Country? Trickier Than You Think

It may not carry the same reputation as Badminton or Burghley for cross-country difficulty — possibly because of a few standout years where the jumping clear and time rates were unusually high — but Luhmühlen still asks serious questions.

In 2024, 51% of the field jumped clear — almost bang on the long-term CCI5 average of 56%.* It’s a reminder that while Luhmühlen might not always look brutal on paper, the challenge is very real — and probably tougher than many give it credit for.

There have been softer years for time — 13 inside the time in 2015 (37%), 17 in 2017 (36%), and 12 in 2023 (32%) — but that wasn’t the case last year. Just 4 horses made the time in 2024, a much tougher return to the norm at around 10%.

That matters. A tight clock gives the chasers a shot at closing the expected gap to London 52 and Izilot DHI.

The takeaway? Expect leaderboard movement — and let’s hope last year’s stats pull through again.

6. Piggy March is Back at CCI5*

We got used to seeing Piggy March as a fixture at the majors during the Vanir Kamira era — supported by a deep string including Quarrycrest Echo, Brookfield Cavalier Cruise, Coolparks Sarco, and Brookfield Inocent.

Now, Halo looks set to carry the torch. He brought Piggy back to five-star level at Pau last year and could be the one to keep her at the sport’s showpiece days in the seasons ahead.

Cross-country is his strength — clear in every run except one (a pin at Millstreet CCI4-L)* — and he’s coming off a CCI4*-S win at Belsay with a 22.1 dressage and just 2.8 time penalties. With a 94% completion rate and tidy time stats, Halo looks ready to deliver when it matters most — on Saturday.

7. Vendredi Biats: The Consistency Machine

Kitty King’s Vendredi Biats has been one of the most quietly consistent performers in international eventing. He’s already proven his class at Luhmühlen with a second-place finish in 2023 and a top 10 at the 2019 European Championships at this very venue. His prep has been sharp — fourth at Bicton and a CCI4-S win at Bramham last season*.

Vendredi Biats hasn’t been outside the top 5 in his last five internationals, and only once outside the top 10 in his last 12 — that being a Badminton elimination in 2023. His dressage consistency is elite, averaging 26 across his last 27 international tests. He hasn’t scored above 30 since Houghton Hall in 2019.

He’ll need to be at his very best to topple Laura and Ros — but for Kitty, this isn’t about safe placings. She has been second here already. She wants a place on the European team and she’s here to win, and to end a long wait for her to stand on the top of the podium.

8. No May Moon: The Little Mare With a Big Future

A Connemara Sport Horse bred and owned by longtime supporter Nancy Hamill Winter, No May Moon is one of the most exciting U.S. prospects on the international scene. Ridden by Allison Springer, she’s part of a trio — alongside Sharon White’s Jaguars Duende and Kim Severson’s Cooley Corraghy Diamond — that could well define the U.S. team picture by LA 2028.

Still early in her international career (not yet at 20 starts), she’s already made a huge impression: 4th in her CCI5-L debut at Tryon in May*, followed by a win in the CCI4-L at Bromont*. She went on to finish 3rd at Morven Park — a serious test and host of this year’s US Equestrian Open Final — and most recently delivered a top 5 finish at Kentucky CCI4-S*.

This is her first five-star, but don’t let that fool you. No May Moon might be small in stature, but she’s got a huge engine and a bigger heart — and she’s here to prove she belongs on the world stage.

9. Only One in Five Jump Clear on Sunday

Historically, just 19% of Luhmühlen show jumping rounds are clear — right in line with five-star norms. That makes Sunday a real test, especially under pressure. The leaders this year are proven jumpers, but last year reminded us how quickly things can unravel. Izilot DHI was leading and had jumped clear in 18 consecutive rounds — only to have two rails when it mattered most. Before that? The five cross-country leaders had all converted for the win. Luhmühlen finishes are rarely gentle.

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