Michael Eilberg dazzles at Winter finals
Michael Eilberghas won his third Superflex Inter I Freestyle title at the NAF Five Star Dressage Championships at Hartpury.
Hot favourites
Michael and Half Moon Dynasty were the hot favourites for the biggest class of the championships – and they didn’t disappoint, scoring78.29%.The10-year-old Dimaggio mare put in a great performance to a score designed and chorographed by composer Gary Patterson, who plays all the instruments himself.
“She did the best she could in there tonight,” said Michael. “There’s not one movement I can think that went wrong the whole way through. Some of the changes were amazing, I could have ridden them all night, particularly the three times where I thought I was going to run out of space I was enjoying it so much.”
Wells done
In second place was Paralympian Sophie Wells, who rode a daring test to music from the Sherlock Holmes movie to score 74.75% with her 2013 triple European gold medallist Valerius.
Just behind Sophie was Charlie Hutton with his relatively new partner Douglas IV, a former ride of Carl Hester. Performing to the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams the pair produced some impressive trot work and a brave canter/halt/canter at the start of the test, to score 74.63%.
Gala debut
Another championship highlight was the first gala performance of the Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle, which saw all-female trio come out on top. The title went to Charlotte Fry (pictured above) with a score of 73.54%. The 18-year-old rode some challenging lines of tempi changes and a bold final centre line of extended canter onboard her late mother Laura’s horse Remming.
“It’s amazing!Everything went to plan, I really loved his extended work in trot and canter,” she said.“My changes line went a bit odd but that’s the beauty of freestyle; not really sure what happened there!” said an elated Charlotte.
In second place was H&C blogger Alice Oppenheimer on Headmore Boadecia, on a score of 71.08%, while third place went to Maria Griffin and DJ (s. Diamond Hit) on 70.58%.
Nirvana Spa Para
There were 33 classes in all, over the five-day show, with some great performances at all levels. In addition, the show hosts the Nirvana Spa Para winter dressage championships (winners pictured above), where Grade IV ‘veteran’ Sophie Wells piloted Forever Himself to a second national title.
Heather Bennett won the Grade III riding her own Zavailantika, who produced the top score of the day, across all para sections, of 72.93%. A former showjumper, Heather turned to para dressage after breaking her neck in a jumping accident and admitted: “I shouldn’t really ride but you know what us lot are like, we just do!”
Another rider that chose para dressage following a riding accident is former eventer Emma Douglas, who claimed her first National title in the Grade II with her long-term partner Cartoon Topcat. He also used to event with Emma before taking up para dressage.
Emma was left paralysed from the waist down, following a freak accident at home. Eight years on, dressage has helped with her muscle function and she’s defied doctors by regaining limited feeling and use.
“I’m certain the riding has made a difference to my rehabilitation – I wouldn’t have made the progress without it,” she said.
Teenage talent
The Grade 1A was won by 16-year-old Michael Murphy, who’s been recovering from a double spinal fusion operation to help correct a curvature of the spine arising from Dejerine-sottas, the condition he was born with.
“It’s good to be back,” he said. “Following my operation, I almost had to learn to ride with a different body – now I sit like I’m proud to be on a horse!
Another teenager showing the adults how it’s done was 17-year-old Harriet Bloxham from Somerset (pictured above), who won the Blue Chip Novice Restricted Championship with a score of 68.91%. She was riding Quarry Hill Minstrel, a Quantock Hill Pony who was bought straight off the hills for just £600. Harriet’s dad broke ‘Milo’ in and she’s ridden him ever since.
“He’s full of character but not always the best to school at home – he’s clever at throwing in the odd buck but gives his all in the arena and that’s what matters,” said Harriet.
‘Absolutely petrified’
One of the most heart-warming wins of the championships went to Hampshire dressage rider Sara-Jane Lanning and Mi Amigo (pictured above)– who had been stood in a field for six years before she bought him in November. Although lacking experience the 12-year-old Danish gelding had an obvious trust in his partner, and the pair scored an impressive 77.50% to win the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Music Freestyle Championship.
“I can barely speak,” said an emotional Sara-Jane. “He was absolutely petrified in there but he listened to me. He’d competed successfully at novice level as a five-year-old, but due to circumstances, was turned away for years. I wasn’t looking to buy a horse but his owner invited me to take a look in case I knew of someone who might be interested. I went to see him then texted the owner that weekend saying ‘I can’t stop thinking about that horse’.”
Petplan Finals
Running alongside the NAF Five Star Championships were the popular Petplan Equine Championships. This year’s Prix St George was won by Rachel Clark and Urionetta (pictured above)who scored 71.38%. It was a personal best for the Bucks-based dressage riderand more than 3% ahead of Jessica Thompson andPavarotti II who took the runner-up spot.
“I can’t believe it,” said Rachel. “I rode to win but to actually do it was a dream. She’s been at Prix St Georges for one year. Her trot work is so secure now and in canter, all the flying changes came off.”
At the other end of the dressage spectrum was the Prelimin, which saw Danielle Balsdon and Lindsay Bennett finish on the same score of 71.87%. This meant the outcome of the class came down to collectives – which Danielle and Reset Sir Lancelot won by a single mark.
“I couldn’t believe it. This is definitely my best moment in dressage, I’m so happy,” said the 15-year-old Danielle. “I worked on the problems I felt in the morning to improve the second test and he felt much more relaxed – which was great.”
Full results
Day one
Charles Owen Advanced Medium Restricted: Lucy Pincus and Sheepcote Don Calisto, 70.48%
Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Restricted Music Freestyle: Dawn Grundy and Rough Lee So Schufro, 72.31%
Spillers Medium Restricted Music Freestyle: Daisy Coakley and Cleopatra II, 75.50%
Petplan Equine Area Festival Elementary OpenChampionship: Gemma Abram and Spitfire, 74.05%
GFS Elementary Open Music Freestyle: Jo Hamilton and Corchapin, 77.88%
Nirvana Spa Para Grade 1a: Michael Murphy and Jago, 68.05%
Nirvana Spa Para Grade 11: Emma Douglas and Cartoon Top Cat, 66.21%
Nirvana Spa Para Grade 111: Heather Bennett and Zavailantika, 72.93
Nirvana Spa Para Grade IV: Sophie Wells and Forever Himself, 69.58%
Day two
Albion Medium Restricted: Daisy Coakley and Bing B, 68.83%
Equiptop Myoplast Elementary Open: Robert Waine and Rhodesia, 73.28%
Petplan Equine Area Festival Elementary Restricted Championship: Katie Hills and San Rubiosa, 71.55%
Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Music Freestyle: Sara-Jane Lanning and Mi Amigo, 77.50
Day three
Blue Chip Novice Restricted Championship: Harriet Bloxham and Quarry Edge Minstrel, 68.91
GFS Elementary Restricted Music Freestyle: Ellie Targett and Ranazotti, 73.33%
Petplan Equine Area Festival Novice OpenChampionship: Julie Beckwith and Keystone Washington, 72.98%
Blue Chip Novice Open: Georgina Weedon and Romano’s Rafiel, 71.78%
Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle: Charlotte Fry and Remming, 73.54%
Day four
KBIS British Equestrian Prelim: Debbie Murray and Fancyman MFS, 72.76%
Spillers Medium Open Music Freestyle: Hannah Biggs and Don Caledonia, 74.78%
Petplan Equine Area Festival Novice Restricted Championship: Zoe Ball and Garvery Boy, 73.17%
Charles Owen Advanced Medium Open: Fiona Bigwood and Cashmir, 74.65%
Superflex Inter I Freestyle: Michael Eilbergand Half Moon Dynasty, 78.29%
Day five
Equitop Myoplast Elementary Restricted: Lizzie Webb and WS Montpellier, 71.3%
Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle: Erin Williams and Fleurie, 72.28%
Petplan Equine Area Festival Preliminary Championship: Danielle Balsdon and Reset Sir Lancelot, 71.82%
Albion Medium Open: Matt Hicks and Don-Carissimo, 73.11%