Salzhausen, Germany – The dressage phase of the Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by DHL finished on Friday with talented combinations and their impressive scores making up the top of the leaderboard. Among the top ten are USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen, who laid down a lovely test in front of the Ground Jury of Andrew Bennie (NZL), Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), and Christoph Hess (GER). The pair had expressive trot work and a solid canter tour with a few minor mistakes. The excellent effort of Montgomery and Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft, and Holly and William Becker's 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding was rewarded with a score of 37.10 to put them in ninth place following the first phase of the competition.
“My dressage test today was not our best performance, but I can't complain about being in the top ten amongst such a strong field,” Montgomery said. “In preparation for this event, I have really been focused on Glen's fitness and it showed today with a couple of mistakes.”

Montgomery and Loughan Glen will head out of the start box at 12:04 p.m. local time on Saturday to tackle Captain Mark Phillips’ cross country course.

When asked about the cross country course, Montgomery said, “I have not competed here before but I like the course that Mark has laid out for us tomorrow. It offers quite a few questions and will test the horse's accuracy all the way to the end."

Julien Despontin (BEL) and Waldano 36 currently lead the CCI4* with a score of 31.90. 

Find out more about the Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by DHL.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to support the training of the athletes named to these lists. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.