Salzhausen, Germany – An influnetial cross-country day took place at Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by DHL on Saturday, with USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen rising to the occasion. The pair had a fantastic round over Captain Mark Phillips’ cross-country course to finish with no jumping penalties and was only one second over the optimumtime to add four-tenths of a penalty point to their dressage score. Montgomery (Tetbury, England) and Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft, and Holly and William Becker's 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding moved up to seventh place with a score of 37.50 heading into the final phase on Sunday.

“It was super,” Montgomery said of the pair’s round. “He was pretty quick from the get-go. It has been a question with his fitness and finishing a four-star in the past, but we worked really hard on his fitness this spring and it really showed today. He jumped everything really well and galloped through the finish flags easily.”

Originally, Montgomery and Loughan Glen were eliminated when the fence judge thought they missed a flag at the B element at fence 28, but a series of photos at the fence helped Montgomery attain a successful appeal in his favor.

Sunday’s show jumping phase will begin at 11:15 a.m. local time and will determine the outcome of the prestigious competition.

Ingrid Klimke (GER) and FRH Escada JS currently lead the CCI4* with a score of 32.70.

Find out more about the Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by DHL.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to support our athletes. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.