By Amber Heintzberger with Phelps Media Group, Inc. Edited by USEF staff

Lexington, KY - A group of U.S. eventers has returned from Germany after competing in the Luhmühlen CCI 4*, June 15-19, the first CCI four-star to take place on continental Europe. Up against stiff competition from European riders trying to qualify for the upcoming European Championships in Blenheim, England, the four USEF-sponsored Talent Tour riders joined several individual U.S. riders for a positive experience abroad-just the learning experience that was intended for the Talent Tour.

The Talent Tour included Nathalie Bouckaert-Pollard on West Farthing (12-year-old bay British Sport Horse gelding), Rebecca Holder on Courageous Comet (9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding), Bonnie Mosser on Jenga (11-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding) and Jan Thompson on Waterfront (10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding). To represent the USEF in this particular Talent Tour, riders could not have previously represented a country at an Olympic Games or World Equestrian Games.

Individual competitors included Kim Severson on Royal Venture (15-year-old Australian Thoroughbred gelding), William Coleman on A Second Hope NRW (13-year-old Westphalian gelding), Stuart Black on Fleeceworks Starlight (8-year-old Thoroughbred cross mare), Holly Hepp on Damien (13-year-old 7/8 Thoroughbred gelding), and Cindy Rawson on Ashdale David's Way (11-year-old 7/8 Thoroughbred gelding).

German rider Bettina Hoy won the event riding Ringwood Cockatoo, and second place went to Zara Phillips, riding Toy Town. Individual competitor Kim Severson was the top placing U.S. rider, finishing in fourth place on Royal Venture.

The youngest U.S. rider was the highest placed among the Talent Tour competitors. Nathalie Bouckaert-Pollard, who finished 17th overall said, "The trip was a good learning experience for me. The standard of riding over there was very high." Her father, who lives in Chatsworth, Georgia, but competes for his native Belgium, finished in 35th place on Lamicell Chumbawumba.

Bonnie Mosser, who placed 23rd, said, "The Germans put a lot of pressure on us; they put in nearly all the clean rounds. There was a lot of atmosphere here but the course was very do-able for the horses. I liked how the track was laid out."

Becky Holder finished in 36th place after a brave cross-country ride, but took down six rails in show jumping. "I have worked really hard this past year, especially on the show jumping, so that was disappointing," she said. Of the cross-country course, she said, "I have never been anywhere with such a big crowd! I really had to keep him focusing early in the course, but he jumped really well."

Unfortunately not all of the riders were able to complete the competition. Jan Thompson withdrew Waterfront before the cross-country phase because he was not one hundred percent sound. Her ultimate goal is the World Equestrian Games next summer, for which he is already qualified, along with her other horse Task Force. Thompson still cheered on her teammates in the competition, and commented, "This was a beautiful course and exactly what we needed for our country to try to build our strength at the top."