Caroline Harris and Emily King hold the top two spots following the cross-country phase of the Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star competition. Harris leads aboard D. Day after delivering the only clear round inside the optimum time. The event took place on June 20 in Germany.
Britain’s Caroline Harris moved into the overnight lead with D. Day after completing the only clear round inside the 11-minute optimum time. The pair stopped the clock 18 seconds ahead of the target, adding no penalties to their dressage score.
Emily King sits second with Valmy Biats after adding 6.8 time-faults. An initial nine penalties for a missed flag were removed on review. US rider Boyd Martin holds third aboard Shanroe Cooley with 2.4 time-penalties.
Course designer Mike Etherington-Smith’s track proved demanding at several combinations, including the Mesmer Pond. Fifteen of the 20 starters completed the phase, with nine jumping clear but incurring time-faults.
Harris described D. Day as phenomenal and noted the pressure after a fall at the home Europeans last year. King called Valmy Biats brave and said the horse responded well despite being quieter than usual.
