The second day of LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials is behind us, and it brought a display of world-class dressage. Among the standout performers were several horses of Polish breeding, underlining the quality of domestic sport horse production. The highly anticipated FEI Eventing Nations Cup has officially begun, and the Polish team made a powerful opening.
Poland Leads After the Dressage Phase in the Nations Cup
Despite a field filled with strong contenders, it was team Poland that finished Friday with the best overall score in the team standings. Daria Kobiernik delivered an outstanding performance, securing second place individually with the thoroughbred gelding Chodów - a striking example of a racehorse successfully transitioning into eventing. Mateusz Kiempa also impressed, placing fourth aboard Gouverneur, owned by Julia Gillmaier. The team was rounded out by solid rides from Aleksandra Malicka-Nowacka on Quintesence Red Wine - aiming to repeat her podium finish at last year’s Polish Senior Championships - as well as Paris 2024 Olympian Wiktoria Knap with Quintus 134 and Joanna Pawlak on Armin de Monsieur.
Following close behind are the teams from Denmark and Germany, but the competition remains wide open.
Polish sport horses stand out
Friday also saw several excellent individual performances. In the CCI3*-L class, Belgium’s Pia Leuwer claimed the top spot aboard Hanami 4, followed by Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Mathies Rüder. The CCI4*-L was won by Sweden’s Amanda Andersson on Double Carat. Swiss rider Nadja Minder took second place riding Top Job’s Jalisco - a horse bred in Poland by Wojciech Zdebel (formerly known as Atrakcyjny Pan II ZW). The podium was completed by Great Britain’s David Doel on Cobalt de Dugny.
In the CCI3*-S, the German team displayed full dominance. Ingrid Klimke dazzled with Equistro Siena Just Do It, a Westphalian mare. Pia Leuwer returned to the spotlight with the Małopolski-bred gelding Jard from the Walewice Stud - a horse sharing its name with another Jard competing at the event under Jan Kamiński. Michael Jung took third with Fischersolution II (formerly Dżoker), a horse well known to Polish fans after their win at the Cavaliada winter final in Kraków earlier this year.
German riders dominate pony competition
In the CCIP2*-S pony class, German riders proved unbeatable. Young talent Lea Brügger delivered two top performances on two different ponies, showcasing not only her skill but also Germany’s depth in youth eventing.
CCI2*-S Belongs to Michael Jung
Olympic champion Michael Jung once again demonstrated his class in the CCI2*-S, claiming both first and second place - with Ginster 115 and the polish-bred Safran. Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier finished third with Debbi, a combination already known for strong performances in the CCI1*-Intro classes.
Thrilling weekend ahead
Saturday promises high-octane excitement with the cross-country phase - a highlight of any eventing competition and a test that can significantly shake up the leaderboard. On Sunday, the final show jumping rounds will determine the individual winners in each class as well as the victorious team in the FEI Nations Cup.
