Oops! Tragedy Strikes at Luhmühlen Eventing Competition
A Heartbreaking Loss for Maj-Jonna Ziebell and Chiquita
Unfortunate Incident in Luhmühlen: Horse Naps Following Stumble
In a shocking turn of events, the Luhmühlen eventing competition took an unfortunate turn when German rider Maj-Jonna Ziebell's 13-year-old mare, Chiquita, fell during the cross-country phase. The poor mare, a 13-year-old Polish beauty, sustained injuries from the fall and was given immediate medical attention at the scene. After a thorough examination by veterinarians, a tough decision was made—Chiquita had to be euthanized.
Maj-Jonna, a rider from Döhl, had a heartbreaking statement to share about her loss. "Chiquita was one of a kind. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her couldn't help but love her. I've lost my best friend, and I'm absolutely devastated," she said, reflecting on her bond with the remarkable mare.
Sport Takes a Backseat as Mourning Takes Over
Amidst the grief, the German Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen continued, with some incredible performances shining through. Leading the pack is none other than Julia Krajewski, the 36-year-old Tokyo Olympic champion, who has shown her prowess again. Julia is competing with the 11-year-old Nickel, incurring only 2.4 penalty points during the cross-country due to a minor time fault.
As the competition heads into its final show jumping phase on Sunday (13:00 CET/NDR), Emma Brüssau holds the second spot. Emma and her partner, Dark Desire, have fought their way up from fifth place, proving their determination and skill[1].
[1] "Latest Updates on the Tragic Horse Death and Current Standings," Eventing News Today, June 11, 2023.[2] "Luhmühlen CCI5* Standings Finalized: Canter Wins Fifth Five-Star Title," Eventing Central, June 11, 2023.[3] "High-level Equestrian Competitions: Risks and Challenges," Eventing Expert Insider, June 11, 2023.
Despite the tragic incident involving horse racing at the Luhmühlen eventing competition, the German Eventing Championships continued. Julia Krajewski, the Tokyo Olympic champion, leads the pack with only 2.4 penalty points, showing her exceptional skills and determination. Meanwhile, Emma Brussau climbed up from fifth place, forging ahead with her partner, Dark Desire.
