British riders were on top form at last week’s Saumur CDI3*/CDI2* at the famous Cadre Noir in France (21 – 24 September 2017) chalking up a number of victories and top placings.
The national anthem played out three times for Maria Eilberg (33) who came home with a hat-trick of wins to her name. With Penny Pollard and Hermione Black’s striking grey Royal Concert (pictured with father Ferdi) she dominated at Middle Tour winning both Saturday’s Intermediate A with 72.08% and Sunday’s Intermediate B with 72.30%. Maria and ‘Rico’, fresh from success at the LeMieux National Championships where they were second in both the Inter I and Freestyle, did the double at Hickstead CDI earlier his year winning both Middle Tour classes.
Maria also enjoyed success with Farah Al Khojai’s Sarotti 57, winning the Inter I with 72.50% and finishing a close second to the Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen in the Inter I Freestyle. Maria’s freestyle with the 10-year-old Sir Donnerhall gelding Sarotti was awarded 75.70%, less than a percent behind the Dutch star and Fleau de Baian.
Younger brother Michael (30) also put in expert performances. He’s not had the best of years having lost his up-and-coming Grand Prix ride Half Moon Dynasty following a hacking accident, but he still has his father Ferdi’s Marakov to count on. Michael and Latvian-bred 'Marco', now 17, who finished in the top five at the LeMieux Nationals earlier this month came second to Adelinde Cornelissen and Aqiedo in the Grand Prix with a super 71.92% before achieving third in the Freestyle with 73.97%. Michael also finished a close second to Maria in the Intermediate B aboard Alison Ramseier’s 14-year-old Fürst Heinrich son, Fuerst Sinclair.
“So on our way home now after a very enjoyable show at Saumur,” said Team Eilberg via Facebook. “[It] was lovely to get some sunshine after getting soaked at Hickstead and the Nationals, I think the tailcoats are finally dry! [It was] a very friendly show with a good atmosphere - we finished first and second today in the Inter B, Rico 72% and Fred 71%. Sarotti did a great Inter I Freestyle this afternoon to finish close second behind Adelinde on 75%, a very strong class with the other Brits not far behind."
Other British riders in the frame throughout the show included showing star-turned-dressage rider Louise Bell and renowned trainer of under-21s, Sonia Baines. Sonia (42) partnered Gemma Owen’s 12-year-old black gelding Sirius Black (Stedinger x Rotspon) to a fabulous second place in the Prix St Georges with 71.09% before placing fourth in both the Inter I (70.65%) and the close fought Inter I Freestyle (75.41%).
Louise and former working hunter champion Into the Blue, who was bred by show jumping great John Whittaker, improved from 12th in the Grand Prix to sixth in the Special with 68.52%. “Incredible day today here in Saumur with Into the Blue enthused Louise on her Facebook page. “With still so much more to come and a couple of my mistakes (sorry Dynamo) we finished 6th here in the very hot!!! Grand Prix Special... this is only our second attempt internationally and with nearly 69%, I'm extremely happy!!"
Big Tour
Grand Prix
1st Adelinde Cornelissen with Aqiedo, 75.50% (NED)
2nd Michael Eilberg with Marakov, 71.92% (GBR)
12th Louise Bell with Into the Blue, 67.28% (GBR)
13th Steph Croxford with Mr Hyde, 67.26% (GBR)
14th Sara Gallop with Summerhouse Zelham, 67.24% (GBR)
Grand Prix Freestyle
1st Anders Dahl with Selten HW, 76.25% (DEN)
3rd Michael Eilberg with Marakov, 73.97% (GBR)
7th Steph Croxford with Mr Hyde, 67.75% (GBR)
Grand Prix Special
1st Adelinde Cornelissen with Aqiedo, 76.23% (NED)
6th Louise Bell with Into the Blue, 68.52% (GBR)
9th Sara Gallop with Summerhouse Zelham, 66.92% (GBR)
Middle Tour
Intermediate A
1st Maria Eilberg with Royal Concert, 72.08% (GBR)
3rd Michael Eilberg with Fuerst Sinclair, 66.88% (GBR)
4th Kirsty Mepham with Minain, 66.34% (GBR)
8th Sara Gallop with Bandreo, 65.37% (GBR)
Intermediate B
1st Maria Eilberg with Royal Concert, 72.30% (GBR)
2nd Michael Eilberg with Fuerst Sinclair, 71.07% (GBR)
7th Kirsty Mepham with Minain, 67.06% (GBR)
8th Sara Gallop with Bandreo, 66.66% (GBR)
Small Tour
Prix St Georges
1st Adelinde Cornelissen with Fleau de Baian, 73.07% (NED)
2nd Sonia Baines with Sirius Black, 71.09% (GBR)
3rd Maria Eilberg with Sarotti 57, 69.25% (GBR)
4th Kate Smith with De La Veiga, 68.28% (GBR)
6th Natalie Kayal with Bravo, 67.80% (GBR)
Intermediate I
1st Maria Eilberg with Sarotti 57, 72.50% (GBR)
4th Sonia Baines with Sirius Black, 70.65% (GBR)
5th Natalie Kayal with Bravo, 69.16% (GBR)
7th Kate Smith with De La Veiga, 68.94% (GBR)
Inter I Freestyle
1st Adelinde Cornelissen with Fleau De Baian, 76.37% (NED)
2nd Maria Eilberg with Sarotti 57, 75.70% (GBR)
4th Sonia Baines with Sirius Black, 75.41% (GBR)
5th Kate Smith with De La Veiga, 72.12% (GBR)
14th Natalie Kayal with Bravo, 64.70% (GBR)
For full results click here.
Photo from Eilberg Dressage.