By Kate Green
Andrew Nicholson and Mr. Cruise Control triumphed at the Luhmühlen CCI**** held June 13-16 in Luhmühlen, Germany, the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics. It was the 51-year-old New Zealander’s fourth CCI4* victory in a year, but the first for the striking grey gelding come. The Luhmuhlen CCI**** was
“He’s a big horse that’s taken time, but he’s kept improving through all his training, and that means that out of all my four-star wins this one is particularly rewarding,” said Nicholson, who has now won four of the world’s six CCI4*s.
Zara Phillips (GBR), who finished second on Trevor Hemmings’ High Kingdom, put pressure on Nicholson right until the end with a beautifully ridden clear Jumping round.
However, the six-time Olympian rose to the occasion, just rattling the second fence but soaring over the rest to finish on his Dressage score of 38.0.
William Fox-Pitt’s two horses rose to third and fourth places with immaculate clear rounds. Neuf des Coeurs, third, is a Selle Francais by Nidor Platier, and Lionheart, fourth, is a German-bred by Lancer lll.
Nicholson also had a top-10 finish on his catch ride, Rathmoyle King. He hit two rails on the 15-year-old grey, but that wasn’t enough to drop him in the final placings, and he held onto sixth.
Final results
1 Andrew Nicholson/Mr Cruise Control (NZL) 38.0 + 0 + 0 = 38.0
2 Zara Phillips/High Kingdom (GBR) 39.7 + 0 + 0 = 39.7
3 William Fox-Pitt/Neuf des Coeurs (GBR) 47.7 + 0 + 0 = 47.7
4 William Fox-Pitt/Lionheart (GBR) 48.2 + 0 + 0 = 48.2
5 Kevin McNab/Clifton Pinot (AUS) 47.5 + 0 + 4 = 51.5
6 Andrew Nicholson/Rathmoyle King (NZL) 48.0 + 0 + 8 = 56.0
7 Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 53.5 + 0 + 4 = 57.5
8 Jonelle Richards/Flintstar (NZL) 51.5 + 0 + 8 = 59.5
9 Andreas Dibowski/FRH Butts Avedon (GER) 48.3 + 3.6 + 8 = 59.9
10 Lucinda Fredericks/Flying Finish (AUS) 36.7 + 19.6 + 4 = 60.3
Andrew Nicholson and Mr. Cruise Control triumphed at the Luhmühlen CCI**** held June 13-16 in Luhmühlen, Germany, the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics. It was the 51-year-old New Zealander’s fourth CCI4* victory in a year, but the first for the striking grey gelding come. The Luhmuhlen CCI**** was
“He’s a big horse that’s taken time, but he’s kept improving through all his training, and that means that out of all my four-star wins this one is particularly rewarding,” said Nicholson, who has now won four of the world’s six CCI4*s.
Zara Phillips (GBR), who finished second on Trevor Hemmings’ High Kingdom, put pressure on Nicholson right until the end with a beautifully ridden clear Jumping round.
However, the six-time Olympian rose to the occasion, just rattling the second fence but soaring over the rest to finish on his Dressage score of 38.0.
William Fox-Pitt’s two horses rose to third and fourth places with immaculate clear rounds. Neuf des Coeurs, third, is a Selle Francais by Nidor Platier, and Lionheart, fourth, is a German-bred by Lancer lll.
Nicholson also had a top-10 finish on his catch ride, Rathmoyle King. He hit two rails on the 15-year-old grey, but that wasn’t enough to drop him in the final placings, and he held onto sixth.
Final results
1 Andrew Nicholson/Mr Cruise Control (NZL) 38.0 + 0 + 0 = 38.0
2 Zara Phillips/High Kingdom (GBR) 39.7 + 0 + 0 = 39.7
3 William Fox-Pitt/Neuf des Coeurs (GBR) 47.7 + 0 + 0 = 47.7
4 William Fox-Pitt/Lionheart (GBR) 48.2 + 0 + 0 = 48.2
5 Kevin McNab/Clifton Pinot (AUS) 47.5 + 0 + 4 = 51.5
6 Andrew Nicholson/Rathmoyle King (NZL) 48.0 + 0 + 8 = 56.0
7 Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 53.5 + 0 + 4 = 57.5
8 Jonelle Richards/Flintstar (NZL) 51.5 + 0 + 8 = 59.5
9 Andreas Dibowski/FRH Butts Avedon (GER) 48.3 + 3.6 + 8 = 59.9
10 Lucinda Fredericks/Flying Finish (AUS) 36.7 + 19.6 + 4 = 60.3
