Luhmühlen 2026 with new obstacles, expanded catering concept plus live music and world elite at the start

Luhmühlen 2026 – it’s like a show jumping event before the World Championships in Aachen. When Ellen Jühlke, Operations Manager of the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials, says that “the entry result promises absolute world-class sport”, this is not just a PR statement: it feels like half of Great Britain is coming to the Lüneburg, or rather Westergellern Heath. There will also be riders from other nations in the top 10 of the current world rankings who are at home in the UK or Europe. “As expected, we have a strong British starting field in the five-star class with Harry Meade, the current world number one, our last year’s winner Rosalind Canter, who has just won the Badminton Horse Trials again, and Laura Collett. In addition, Tim and Jonelle Price from New Zealand and Boyd Martin from the USA will be taking part, two other riders with a wealth of international experience who have been among the world’s top eventers for years. Overall, the starting field is once again very international. It is also particularly nice that two German riders, Katharina Meyer and Heike Jahnke, have also entered.”

Ros Canter – without “Walter” but with Izilot to Luhmühlen 2026

Defending champion Ros Canter is not bringing her badminton winner Lordships Graffalo, “Walter”, to Luhmühlen. Instead, she is making firm plans with last year’s winner Izilot DHI: “We’ve already experienced so many great moments in Luhmühlen, so it’s always a show that we particularly look forward to,” said the rider, who is currently fourth in the World Ranking despite having a baby – the results of the past twelve months always count for the world rankings. Izilot finished third in the CCI4*-S in Belsay two weeks ago.

Laura Collet arrives with Hanoverian mare

Olympic team champion Laura Collett also wants to compete in Luhmühlen: “I’m looking forward to competing in the Longines CCI5*-L again with Hester. She did brilliantly there last year and finished in the top ten. I hope we can improve on that result this year.” Hester is a daughter of the stallion Heinrich Heine, who is registered with the British Hanoverian Association. This is her third start in the 5* competition in Luhmühlen. In 2024, the pair finished 21st in the CCI5*-L. In 2025, they were seventh.

German Championship Luhmühlen 2026

The CCI4*-S (Meßmer Trophy) has an equally strong international line-up (here is a daily updated overview of the participants in Luhmühlen 2026). This short test will also decide who becomes German Champion. Operations Manager Ellen Jühlke: “Some nations are using the test as a qualifier before the World Championships in Aachen. At the same time, we are delighted to have a strong German entry. Among others, Olympic Champion Julia Krajewski is planning to bring her last year’s winner Nickel to the start.” Krajewski herself says: “I am planning to compete with two horses in the CCI4*-S this year. Luhmühlen is one of our important preparation tournaments for the World Championships in Aachen and also simply one of my favorite tournaments”.

Julia Krajewski comes with Nickel and “Paul”

The Olympic champion is also bringing Tullabeg Platinum with her to Luhmühlen. The Irish rider, “Paul”, has always placed in the top three in his last six starts. Most recently, the pair were part of the Nations Cup team that won in Marbach. In the individual classification, they were only beaten there by Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Jung will not be competing this year. However, Christoph Wahler will be back with his Badminton seventh from 2025, the Hanoverian D’Accord FRH. The gelding had a break after Boekelo in the fall of 2025. He no longer competed there for the pre-jumping test.

13 new jumps and a prominent course builder assistant

A new route and 13 new obstacles will have to be mastered by the participants in the two stages on the third weekend in June. British rider Mike Etherington Smith is still in charge of the course. He will now be assisted by Kai Steffen-Meier. The husband of Belgian rider Lara de Liederkerke-Meier, who won the 5* test in Luhmühlen in 2024, is delighted with his new role. He enjoys the constant exchange between Etherington-Smith, a legend in terms of course design, when designing the tasks. The exchange between the British rider and the coach/rider, the discussion of approach routes, angles and alternatives – that promises tasks at every obstacle and exciting sport.

Christian Zehe builds jumps in a chord

Christian Zehe has been entrusted with building the obstacles for the first time. He received the request at the end of October. It is “sporty”, but also a dream to be able to be active in Luhmühlen. Speaking of active – Zehe knows the feeling of galloping on the heath. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, he was one of the first riders from the former GDR to ride over the legendary course in the Westergellernser.

“Star” gastronomy and live music

In addition to sporting delicacies, the catering concept has also undergone a facelift. Ulli Gustävel is a restaurateur, has already accompanied major festivals and concerts as a caterer and is … a rider. He completed his training at Grönwohldhof with Herbert Rehbein. At some point, he hung up his tailcoat and opted for the apron. He promises culinary variety plus a festival feeling. Live music and talks on two stages will round off the “Luhmühlen 2026” experience. So with the curry to the coffin or tortillas to the deep dive. “The classic bratwurst will also be available alongside delicacies from different regions of the world,” says Gustävel.

Schedule Luhmühlen 2026

Thursday, June 18, 2026

8.30 am Preliminary dressage CCI4*-S

9 – 12.45 Dressage CCI4*-S

1.30 p.m. Preliminary dressage CCI5*-L

2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Dressage CCI5*-L

16.30 – 17.15 Kids-Cross-Country Fun

Friday, June 19, 2026

9.00 – 12.45 Dressage Part 2 CCI4*-S

13.00 – 13.30 Presentation of Hanoverian elite eventing foals

14.00 – 16.00 Dressage part 2 CCI5*-L

16.30 – 17.30 Masterclass with Kai-Steffen Meier

17.00 hrs Luhmühlen foal and sales show

18.00/18.30 Barbecue evening & live music

Saturday, June 20, 026

9.45 – 12.00 h CCI5*-L: Cross-country

12.30 – 12.55 p.m. Sheep farm & animal school Anne Krüger-Degener “all you need is love”

13.10 – 16.25 CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy: Cross-country

16.40 – 17.40 Auction Hanoverian Elite Eventing Foals

Evening party for everyone in the catering area

Sunday, June 21, 2026

9.00 – 09.30 a.m. Conformation test (in front of the grandstand) CCI5*-L

09.30 – 10.30 a.m. Constitutional test (in front of the grandstand) CCI4 *-S

11.15 – 12.20 Jumping CCI5*-L

12.20 – 12.35 CCI5*-L: Award ceremony

13.00 – 13.15 Jump&Drive

13.50 – 15.55 Jumping CCI4*-S

15.55 CCI4*-S: Award ceremony

TV broadcast NDR

Saturday: 3.00 – 4.30 p.m.

Sunday: 15.00 – 16.00 hrs

Tickets and more

There are various package offers for admission, for example family discounts.(Click here for the tickets). If you are planning a long weekend in Luhmühlen, you can find various tips on the event’s homepage.