As the rest of the one population are planning their exotic beach holidays, I have spent the last few months planning my summer ‘holiday’ - a relaxing week on the Costa you say? No, that isn’t my thing… now driving a few hundred miles in pursuit of Europe’s finest Eventers to the land of freak thunderstorms and blooming heather, now that’s more my cup of tea!
Kitty King & Vendredi Biats working on Friday morning amongst the beautiful Luhmühlen heather
I have been lucky enough to visit the two previous European Championships - I actually won tickets to Blair in 2015 and made a short holiday of a trip to the Scottish Highlands, where it proceeded to do what the Highlands are renown for and predicate biblical proportions of rain throughout the entire day of cross country. Her Majesty put in an appearance at the prize giving which I was lucky enough to have grandstand seats for.
In 2017, I headed out to watch Team GB bring home the team gold medal with a front row seat as a cross country fence judge for the cross country action at the beautiful Strzegom course in Poland.
And now in 2019, I am departing the UK on Tuesday evening to drive though the night to Luhmuhlen - this time as accredited photographer - I am very lucky to have had this opportunity to cover this great event.
So off I drove, I mean what is nearly 800 miles between horse lovers?!, whistling through the channel tunnel onwards to driving on the wrong side of the road and lots upon lots of German roadworks, yes they even do roadworks with that stereotypical German efficiency.
A quick snooze was needed on the Belgium/Dutch border, but alas, it was so warm in my car, I managed about 40 minutes. A realisation followed that I am simply too old now to do 48 hours on 40 minutes sleep, but hey ho, I pulled into the Turniergelande Luhmuhlen Eventpark in time for the first horse inspection.
What a great venue, so welcoming firstly with a great centralised arena, good grandstand viewing for the public and the most conveniently located media centre, right in front of the arena and next to the warm ups. It was scorchingly hot on Wednesday and we all nearly melted at the horse inspection. All Team GB combinations flew through the inspection with ease and style.
Oliver Townend & Cooley Master Class pass the first horse inspection amongst the waving union jacks
Let the games begin.
The scores haven’t been as low as we have expected, a combination of the judges maybe not having Langos for lunch and the odd uncharacteristic little hiccup in nearly every test that we expected to be delivered flawlessly. The atmosphere when both Magic Mike and Queen Ingrid did there tests was a sight to be hold, a palpable sense of occasion and a hushed excited crowd made for an unforgettable experience.
As I arrived early on Thursday, I thought it would be a great chance to walk the cross country course in the relatively cooler temperatures. Mike Etherington-Smith had definitely designed a testing track, the drop at Fence 14 made Burghley’s leaf pit look like a back door step! I got around three quarters of the course then alas the heavens opened and delivered one of the those auspicious thunderstorms that I’d heard tales of. Soaked. Good job the sun came straight out to dry out the clothing!
Once I had dried out it was time for the dressage to get underway. Team GB delivered with solid tests all round - the gorgeous London 52 and Vendredi Biats repaying the faith put in them by the selectors.
Friday’s nights photographers briefing was thankfully a short affair, starting with a weather warning for high temperatures - thankfully I did remember to pack the sun cream.
Despite being at a championships it been a surprisingly relaxed affair, sipping a glass of wine bought to me in a tea cup by one of the GB owners to make the task of editing hundreds of dressage was not quite the scene I had envisaged of how the would pan out.
Cross country day did not disappoint - Mike Etherington-Smith had certainty designed a test, both in terms of the equine questions and the 33 degree heat that greeted us out on course. Quite possibly the warmest I have been out on cross country ever. But the action distracted me from the torrent of sweat running down my face (over-share!) And some fantastic performances came out of the pack. Leaving site at 8.30pm I was in no doubt that I had witnessed Europe’s best. Team GB were lying in Silver medal spot, all to play for tomorrow.
Kitty King & Vendredi Biats over 20b - the infamous final Land Rover water complex - on their way to a clear round
Piggy French & Quarrycrest Echo fly through fence 12, the Mesmer Wasser complex en route to a clear round inside the time for Team GB
The final day had its perfect mix of dramatic German pop music, an over-enthusiastic crowd and a glistening silver medal for Team GB.
To watch Kitty and the stunning Froggy (Vendredi Biats), whom I have watched since his first novice days complete a flawless clear round to finish top Brit really was the highlight of the day.
And for all of us it was #HappyHaleBobDay - Queen Ingrid reigned victorious once again.
The crowd expects: Ingrid Klimke & SAP Hale Bob OLD secure a clear round to win Individual Gold and cement the Team result for Germany
Some personal highlights included a Tina Cool hug and a declaration from non other than Harry Meade that I have achieved ‘legend’ status (not quite for the photos just yet, but for answering the call and giving a Sarah, who had been out here commentating for BBC a ride home after a cancelled flight)
The frantic final evening of editing was made more dramatic by French Air Control having an issue, so some of the press tent had their return flights unceremoniously cancelled in an instant. As I was in need of some company for the 8 hour drive, I gave a charming lady called Sarah a lit back to Gatwick on my route home. A 3 hour delay at the Channel tunnel did dampen the spirits a little, but alas we all made it home by Monday lunchtime for a much need cuppa and cuddle with Mr Monty the cat.
Wow. What a week though.
It has been a dream of mine to cover a championships. And this week my dream came true.
Team GB: Oliver Townend, Tina Cook, Pippa Funnell & Piggy French take in a lap of the arena to show off their medals to an enthusiastic crowd.
Thank you to everyone for all the likes, comments, shared and general kindness shown to me, I’m truly grateful.
It’s been bloody tough, long days after an epically long drive out here. But it’s been worth it. And the heat, I mean I love photographing in good light conditions, but 33 degrees of beautiful light has taken its toll. I’m knackered. And just the small matter of the 700 mile drive home.
Thanks to the Press team out here who been so helpful. Thanks to the amazingly talented Tilly Berendt for keeping me sane and to William Carey for your company over the last few days - it’s been a blast.
Luhmühlen you’ve been amazing. It has been a delight to be here, an honour to be here and I am already planning my trip to Haras du Pin for 2021.
Next stop, hopefully Burghley.