Krajewski defends lead at German Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, targets fifth national title
Julia Krajewski holds a clear lead after dressage and cross‑country at the German Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, navigating 30°C heat and rib problems to sit atop the standings with Nickel.
Commanding lead ahead of show jumping
Julia Krajewski heads into the final show jumping phase on Sunday with 26.9 penalty points on her top horse Nickel. The pair incurred only four time penalties on the 3,800‑metre cross‑country course, which featured 36 jumps across 24 obstacles. The 37‑year‑old defending champion also sits third overall aboard Tullabeg Platinum, who collected 7.2 time faults for a total of 34.4 points.
It was a very fluid, safe round. Nickel has been here in Luhmühlen many times and knows how to do it. But tomorrow is a new day.
Belgian rider Lara de Liedekerke‑Meier slotted into second overall on Kiarado d’Arville with 31.3 points, pushing Malin Hansen‑Hotopp to third in the four‑star standings. In the national title race, Hansen‑Hotopp remains second on Carlitos Quidditch at 33.8 points, though she trails Krajewski by a significant margin.
Heat and injuries challenge the field
Temperatures around 30°C tested both riders and horses. Krajewski stressed the importance of electrolytes in preparation and explained that horses were cooled with iced water immediately after the cross‑country phase. Both Krajewski and Hansen‑Hotopp are managing rib problems, yet both delivered competitive rounds.
If you get used to becoming German champion, something’s wrong. It’s never a walk in the park.
National coach absent, Jung in Rotterdam
German national coach Peter Thomsen is missing the event after being hospitalised with injuries from a riding accident the previous weekend. Equipe chief Annette Wyrwoll is representing him on site. Meanwhile, three‑time Olympic individual champion Michael Jung is not competing in Luhmühlen; he is riding for the German show‑jumping squad at the Nations Cup in Rotterdam.
- Julia Krajewski (Nickel)
- 26.9 penalty points
- Lara de Liedekerke‑Meier (Kiarado d’Arville)
- 31.3 penalty points
- Malin Hansen‑Hotopp (Carlitos Quidditch)
- 33.8 penalty points
- Julia Krajewski (Tullabeg Platinum)
- 34.4 penalty points
Road to Aachen 2026
The tournament serves as key preparation for the World Eventing Championships, scheduled for 13–16 August as part of the World Equestrian Games in Aachen (11–23 August). Germany enter their home championships as defending team title holders.
Show jumping finale
The title will be decided after the show jumping round on Sunday at 15:00, broadcast live by NDR.
