Tomlinson lands double podium at Aachen CDI

Laura Tomlinson delivered a double podium finish with the talented young gelding Full Moon II at Aachen CDI3* (19 - 21 May 2025), rounding off a successful spring trip to the Continent. 

Following a successful show in Belgium at Lier CDIO4* with Issey, Laura Tomlinson then presented her own and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Full Moon II (pictured above) at the Aachen Dressage Days fixture. A promising visit to Germany saw the combination ride to third place in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, with two impressive scores of 70.304% and 70.021%. 

“Originally, I was meant to take both horses to Lier,” Laura explained, “but with the strikes in Calais and not being able to get there earlier in the week, we rerouted Full Moon to Aachen. We could leave the showground in Belgium on Sunday and go straight on, so it worked out very well.” 

Laura, who described the nine-year-old Fürstenball-sired gelding as ‘a really fun horse that’s super on side’, was pleased with his performance: “I rode him quite quietly in the Grand Prix, just wanting to get a clean test as he’s still quite green. Even though it wasn’t the packed stadium Aachen is known for, it’s still a big atmosphere for a young horse and he responded really well.” 

In the Grand Prix Special, which was only his second time riding the test, Laura noted a couple of green mistakes but was encouraged by how quickly the gelding regained focus. “That for me was really positive… being only nine and very big, I think there's a lot to come from him.” 

Reflecting on her Lier performances with Full Moon’s stablemate Issey, Laura also highlighted the importance of building his confidence: “At Lier I rode him with a lot of praise and positivity. I wasn’t asking for max power - I just wanted him to come out on a long rein feeling like he nailed it.” 

Having only taken the reins of the 12-year-old gelding earlier this year, she added that their partnership is still developing, “I’ve been working on moulding him a little more to how I would like him to go, but what’s lovely is that whatever I work on in training, I can transfer straight into the ring.” 

Looking ahead, Laura plans to take Full Moon to the Nations Cup in Rotterdam and contest the UK-based Wellington CDI with Issey. “For me, it's one step at a time, see how the next one goes, as to where the path leads next,” she said, explaining that her priority is simply to enjoy being out with her horses as they develop. 

Also riding in the Grand Prix, German-based British rider Emma Jamieson piloted Jessica von Bredow-Werndl's 12-year-old mare Forsazza De Malleret (For Romance) to 17th, gaining valuable experience after only moving up to the level last month. Harrison Ashton and Henri Rouste’s 10-year-old mare Million Dreams also gained further mileage, placing fourth in the Intermediate II (8–11-year-old) class. 

Results - top three and British placings

Grand Prix
1.    Marcus Orlob and Jane, 72.870% (USA)
2.    Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock and Florine OLD, 72.718% (GER)
3.    Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 70.304% (GBR)
17.    Emma Jamieson and Forsazza de Malleret, 62.652% (GBR)

Grand Prix Special
1.    Marcus Orlob and Jane, 72.255% (USA)
2.    Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock and Florine, 71.894% (GER)
3.    Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 70.021% (GBR)

CDN – Intermediate II (8–11-year-old horses)
1.    Nadine Capellmann and Furioso V, 69.526% (GER)
2.    Fernando Esteban Ruiz and Donovan 135, 68.395% (ESP)
3.    Julia De Ridder and Birkhofs Diamantinos, 65.395% (GER)
4.    Harrison Ashton and Million Dreams, 63.026% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS
 

Photo | Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II pictured at Hickstead Premier League 2024