# Luhmühlen Horse Trials

The Luhmühlen Horse Trials are an annual equestrian eventing competition held in Luhmühlen, Salzhausen, Germany. Riders compete at the highest level: the CCI*****. There are only Seven events of this kind in the world, the others being the Badminton Horse Trials, the Burghley Horse Trials, the Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Australian International Three Day Event, the Stars of Pau and the maryland horse trails
Luhmühlen originally held CCI** and CCI*** events. The CCI**** event was first held in 2005, making it the first event in mainland Europe to hold an eventing competition at that level. Luhmühlen follows the new format, "without steeplechase."
After the 2018 season, the FEI added an introductory level below CCI*, bumping all subsequent levels upward. While there was no change to the difficulty of the competition, the added level forced all former CCI**** competitions to re-classify as CCI*****.
In 1982 Luhmühlen hosted the Eventing World Championship. In August 2019 Luhmühlen was the venue of the European Eventing Championships for the sixth time (1975, 1979, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2019). Before the 2011 event the show ground was completely rebuilt.

## Past winners of the CCI*****

| Year | Rider | Horse |
| 2005 | Bettina Hoy (GER) | Ringwood Cockatoo |
| 2006 | Frank Ostholt (GER) | Air Jordan |
| 2007 | Ruth Edge (GBR) | Two Thyme |
| 2008 | William Fox-Pitt (GBR) | Macchiato |
| 2009 | Michael Jung (GER) | La Biosthetique-Sam FBW |
| 2010 | Sharon Hunt (GBR) | Tankers Town |
| 2011 | Andreas Dibowski (GER) | FRH Butts Leon |
| 2012 | Michael Jung (GER) | Leopin FST |
| 2013 | Andrew Nicholson (NZL) | Mr Cruise Control |
| 2014 | Tim Price (NZL) | Wesko |
| 2015 | Ingrid Klimke (GER) | FRH Escada JS |
| 2016 | Andreas Dibowski (GER) | It's Me XX |
| 2017 | Julia Krajewski (GER) | Samourai du Thot |
| 2018 | Jonelle Price (NZL) | Faerie Dianimo |
| 2019 | Tim Price (NZL) | Ascona M |
| 2020 | cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic) | cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic) |
| 2021 | Mollie Summerland (GBR) | Charly van ter Heiden |

## Incidents
### Riders

* 2012: Selina Elliot (GBR) fell from her mount Bodidily and was hospitalized with a broken pelvis.
* 2014: Benjamin Winter (GER) died of severe head trauma when he fell from his mount Ispo at fence 20 during the cross-country portion of the event.

### Horses

* 2010: Alter Ego, the mount of Kate Walls (GBR) fell and broke his back during the cross country portion of the event. The horse was successfully rehabilitated.
* 2013: P'tite Bombe, ridden by Emeric George (FRA) was euthanized after falling at fence 12 during the cross-country portion of the event.
* 2014: Liberal, ridden by Tom Crisp (GBR) died after collapsing near the eighth fence on the cross-country course. Six other riders retired on cross-country before completing the course
* 2018: Axel Z, ridden by Chloe Raty (BEL) was euthanized after suffering spinal injuries during a rotational fall on cross-country.
* 2023: Solaguayre California, ridden by Tammie Smith (USA) was euthanized after fracturing her knee when hitting it on a fence during cross country.

### Sanctions

* 2005: Captain Clever, ridden by Andreas Ostholt (GER) was found to have Hydroxy-lidocaine, a banned substance in his system at the event. The competitor was disqualified, fined, and suspended from competition for 30 days.
* 2022: Frederike Tuin (NED) was cited with two warnings, firstly for Abuse of Horse - Dangerous riding, and secondly for Dangerous riding - Continuing after three clear refusals, a fall, or any form of elimination during the CCI3* event.
* 2022: Philippa Cross (GBR) received a recording warning for Dangerous riding - Continuing after three clear refusals, a fall, or any form of elimination during the CCI5* event.
* 2023: Juliana Steinhagen (GER) was cited with an Eventing Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding against Eventing Rules Art. 525.1
* 2024: Janette Hacker (GER) and Anna Niska (FIN) were both given Yellow Warning Cards for "Abuse of Horse - Excessive use of whip, bit and/or spurs.