Summerland proves hot

A 23-year-old becomes Britain’s first winner of the German five-star since 2010, in a wildly emotional trip that ends in a fairytale result

- PIPPA ROOME

MOLLIE SUMMERLAND became the youngest winner of the five-star at Luhmühlen last week, leading throughout on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden.

That the 23-year-old Brit made it to the event at all was an extraordinary feat – when the German travel ban hit, she was desperate still to ride at her second five-star and continue the momentum after 10th at Pau last year.

Understandably nervous of making the journey alone, with the requirement for multiple border crossings and 10 days out of the UK, she asked journalist Tilly Berendt if she might go with her. Tilly masterminded the pair’s trip across Europe – as a measure of what she took on, at one point in the build-up, she made 40 phone calls across four countries in one day.

The pair passed the required period outside the UK at Dutch rider Tim Lips’ base and took in a showjumping competition in the Netherlands, which Mollie said was helpful as it had a similar feel to Luhmühlen.

“Tim said the only other time riders would be in another country as long is generally before a big championship, and riders find it difficult because they have so much spare time and headspace,” said Mollie.

“It’s tempting to overwork horses, so I had to be strict on myself to avoid that.”

Mollie knows the 12-yearold Charly Van Ter Heiden, by Contendros Bube, can do an excellent test and was slightly disappointed with her performance despite being in the lead after dressage.

Her score of 29 was some 3.5 penalties off her Pau mark, which was probably partly judging differences and partly due to a couple of small mistakes.