Luhmühlen Horse Trials is one of seven five-star events in the world, the others being Badminton and Burghley in Britain, Kentucky and Maryland in the USA, Pau in France and Adelaide in Australia. It is held annually in Salzhausen, Germany, in June.
The venue has a long history of running horse trials and upgraded to the top level in 2005 (at that time the showcase class was a four-star, but it is now designated a five-star in line with the star levels being changed across international eventing). A CCI4*-S runs alongside the feature class.
Captain Mark Phillips was the cross-country course-designer here for the top class until 2016. Mike Etherington-Smith took over for the 2017 event and remains the current designer.
Betting Hoy scored her first four-star win here at the inaugural four-star, riding Ringwood Cockatoo.
Michael Jung became the first person to take the Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star title twice when he added victory in 2012 on Leopin FST to his triumph in 2009 with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. Since then two riders have joined him in that honour – Tim Price won the event in 2014 (Wesko) and 2019 (Ascona M) and Andreas Dibowski was victorious in 2011 (FRH Butts Leon) and 2016 (It’s Me xx).
There have been six British winners in the showcase class at Luhmühlen since 2005: Ruth Edge (Two Thyme) in 2007, William Fox-Pitt (Macchiato) in 2008, Sharon Hunt (Tankers Town) in 2010, Mollie Summerland (Charly Van Ter Heiden) in 2021, Laura Collett (London 52) in 2023 and Ros Canter (Izilot DHI) in 2025.
In 2019, Luhmühlen hosted the European Eventing Championships for the sixth time. Germany won the team gold, with Britain in silver and Sweden taking the bronze.
The individual gold went to the home side’s Ingrid Klimke (SAP Hale Bob OLD) with her compatriot Michael Jung collecting silver on FischerChipmunk FRH. Ireland’s Cathal Daniels picked up the bronze, his first senior individual medal.
‘The most genuine horse’: Olympic gelding retains his Luhmühlen title, plus Andrew Hoy among those to impressNews
‘A privilege to have this horse as a friend’: British five-star first-timer achieves top-10 finish at LuhmühlenNews
‘The horse bred to happy hack has gone and won two five-stars’: delight as British rider tops Luhmühlen podiumNews
Two horses sent to the holding box and three withdraw before Luhmühlen final trot-upNews
World Championship selection plays on riders’ minds in influential Luhmühlen CCI4*-S cross-countryNews
‘I wanted to put everything right – I think we did today’: British rider finds redemption with phenomenal Luhmühlen five-star cross-countryNews
‘The best he’s felt’: British rider on top at Luhmühlen five-star after dressageNews
‘He feels amazing’: eight-time Olympian confirms he is aiming for World Championships with Tokyo medallist – as they hope to impress at Luhmühlen
‘Today was perfect’: Olympic horse brings his A-game at Luhmühlen Horse TrialsNews
Pony Club champion to Luhmühlen five-star debut – and why his rider performed her dressage test holding her reins upside down
‘I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse’: British-based US rider tops Luhmühlen five-star leaderboard – Brit in thirdNews
‘It’s been quite a journey’: Olympic rider aims for back-to-back titles as she lands personal best at LuhmühlenNews
One late withdrawal before Luhmühlen trot-up as Brits prepare to contest five-star titleNews
How to watch Luhmühlen Horse Trials 2026 live from anywhere in the world
Ros Canter and other Brits among Luhmühlen withdrawals, leaving five-star field depletedNews
Can history repeat itself? Ros Canter and Izilot DHI set to defend Luhmühlen CCI5* titleNews
Early-bird tickets for 2026 Luhmühlen Horse Trials are now on sale
‘I’m so glad I’ve been able to show the world what a good horse he is’: career-best result for New Zealand rider at Luhmühlen while Laura Collett finishes third
‘I locked myself in the loo and re-watched videos I’m proud of’: Ros Canter credits new preparation strategy for Luhmühlen victory
