Andreas Dibowski wins second Luhmühlen title

German rider Andreas Dibowski won the Luhmühlen four-star event riding ex-racehorse It’s Me XX.

Leader

Andreas lay fourth after the dressage and moved up to pole position following the cross-country phase. He held on to his lead with a clear showjumping round.

France’s Maxime Livio (Qalao Des Mers) finished second less than two penalties in arrears.

“My horse performed exceptionally on all three days ” said Dibowski. “He is not a born dressage horse but on the cross-country he is outstanding.”

Son of a Derby winner

Andreas got the ride on It’s Me – who is by a Derby winner – following the horse’s retirement from racing at the age of four.

“When he was five and six he was ill and needed intensive care and only came back to eventing three years ago aged nine ” the German rider explained.

It was Dibowski’s second victory at Germany’s premier event after triumphing in 2011 with FRH Butts Leon.

Placings

Dressage leaders and four-star debutants Julia Krajewski (GER) and Samourai du Thot dropped to fifth after cross-country. However a clear jumping round elevated them back up to third place.

New Zealand’s Tim Price finished fourth on Ringwood Sky Boy while Andrew Nicholson – who will not be going to Rio – finished fifth with Qwanza.

Best of the Brits was Louise Harwood in eighth.

Final results

1 Andreas Dibowski/It’s Me XX (GER) 43.4 + 0.4 + 0 = 43.8

2 Maxime Livio/Qalao des Mers (FRA) 44.9 + 0 + 0 = 44.9

3 Julia Krajewski/Samourai du Thot (GER) 39.0 + 10 1 0 = 49.0

4 Tim Price/Ringwood Sky Boy (NZL) 44.6 + 1.6 + 4 = 50.2

5 Andrew Nicholson/Qwanza (NZL) 46.3 + 5.6 + 0 = 51.9

6 Bill Levett/Alexander NJ (AUS) 52.6 + 0 + 2 = 54.6

7 Andrew Nicholson/Perfect Stranger 54.7 + 0 + 0 = 54.7

8 Louise Harwood/Whitson 49.0 + 8 + 0 = 57.0

9 Kai Rüder/Colani Sunrise 50.7 + 4.4 + 5 = 60.1

10 Boyd Martin/Cracker Jack 52.1 + 4.4 + 4 = 60.5