The British contingent has returned from a highly successful trip to Le Mans CDI3*/2*/U25/Y in France (15 – 18 February 2018) with a total of five victories between them.
Michael Eilberg and Sarah Millis both notched up double wins, Becky Edwards won on her U25 debut and there were a number of top placings in all categories.
Sarah and her exciting prospect Behroez (United x Gribaldi) earned the highest non-freestyle scores, winning the PSG and Inter I with 72.79% and 71.73% respectively. Behroez (pictured), who is affectionately known as Boss, has been nurtured by Sarah since he was bought at the Equine Elite auction in the Netherlands as a five-year-old. Sarah also enjoyed success with Katja Kuistila’s Hofjuwel, a 13-year-old son of Hofrat, earning second place in the Grand Prix Special with 69.61%.
“I could not have asked more from Boss this week, he was totally focused and was completely with me,” said Sarah. “Hoff gave me a challenging ride in the Grand Prix and was a little spooky but came good in the Grand Prix Special with a personal best so I'm very happy. We have been working hard over the winter along with the help of the World Class team and it’s great to get these results early in the year.”
Michael and Marakov, his 2015 FEI European Championships partner, posted 69.76% in the Grand Prix to claim fourth behind Henriette Andersen and Flavio who enjoyed a great ride for 69.91% and third. Michael and ‘Marco’ went on to take second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a super score of 73.58%.
At Middle Tour Michael dominated winning both the Inter B and Inter II with Alison Ramseir’s Fuerst Sinclair, a 15-year-old son Fürst Heinrich. “Fred’s done it again! First place in the Inter II with just under 70%. Super feeling and piaffing better than ever. Lovely mistake free canter work today. Very happy,” said Michael on Eilberg Dressage Facebook.
Becky Edwards and her 2017 Young Rider Europeans partner, Sarah Oppenheimer’s Headmore Delegate (pictured right), did themselves proud on their U25 debut, winning the U25 Grand Prix with a fabulous score of 68.51%. Becky (21) was quite rightly thrilled with ‘Del’ with whom she’s formed a successful partnership since taking over the ride from Alice Oppenheimer early last year. “What a way to start the season! Winning my first ever U25 Grand Prix here in Le Mans CDI3* on the lovely Headmore Delegate,” said Becky on Facebook. “Thank you to all my support team and sponsors; wouldn’t be able to do it without you! Exciting times ahead.”
Lewis Carrier (20) impressed in the U21 divisions with his ten-year-old Spielberg-sired gelding Diego V. On his international debut, Lewis, who works as rider and young horse trainer at the Eilberg’s Pink Green Farm in Worcestershire, breached the 70% barrier to take sixth place in a hot Young Rider Team test, before fourth in the Individual and seventh in the Freestyle behind Angus Corrie-Deane and Tiny Tempur. “What a fantastic first international, thank you Eilberg Dressage!” he said via Facebook.
Results
Big Tour
Grand Prix
1st Anne Meulendijks with Avanti, 70.891% (NED)
3rd Henriette Andersen with Flavio, 69.913% (GBR)
4th Michael Eilberg with Marakov, 69.761% (GBR)
22nd Louise Bell with Into the Blue, 63.913% (GBR)
27th Sarah Millis with Hofjuwel, 63.022% (GBR)
28th Sara Gallop with Bandreo, 62.543% (GBR)
Full results
Grand Prix Special
1st Birgit Wientzek Plage with Robinvale, 70.085% (SUI)
2nd Sarah Millis with Hofjuwel, 69.617% (GBR)
11th Henriette Andersen with Flavio, 64.723% (GBR)
14th Louise Bell with Into the Blue, 64.191% (GBR)
Full results
Grand Prix Freestyle
1st Anne Meulendijks with Avanti, 76.705% (NED)
2nd Michael Eilberg with Marakov, 73.585% (GBR)
11th Sara Gallop with Bandreo, 66.925% (GBR)
Full results
Middle Tour
Intermediate B
1st Michael Eilberg with Fuerst Sinclair, 69.500% (GBR)
3rd Matt Hicks with Sheepcote Walnut, 65.375% (GBR)
6th Matt Hicks with Excalibur, 64.917% (GBR)
7th Sarah Millis with Fürst Henrik, 63.333% (GBR)
Full results
Intermediate II
1st Michael Eilberg with Fuerst Sinclair, 69.706% (GBR)
3rd Matt Hicks with Sheepcote Walnut, 66.265% (GBR)
4th Matt Hicks with Excalibur, 66.235% (GBR)
6th Sarah Millis with Fürst Henrik, 65.00% (GBR)
Full results
Small Tour
Prix St Georges
1st Sarah Millis with Behroez, 72.794% (GBR)
3rd Michael Eilberg with Why Banquo, 70.539% (GBR)
15th Francesca Bradley with Baldovino, 65.833% (GBR)
16th Sara Gallop with Darsey, 64.314% (GBR)
Full results
Intermediate I
1st Sarah Millis with Behroez, 71.735% (GBR)
5th Michael Eilberg with Why Banquo, 70.294% (GBR)
13th Sara Gallop with Darsey, 65.706% (GBR)
18th Francesca Bradley with Baldovino, 63.441% (GBR)
Full results
Intermediate I Freestyle
6th Francesca Bradley with Baldovino, 68.265% (GBR)
9th Sara Gallop with Darsey, 67.530% (GBR)
Full results
U25 – Intermediate II
1st Tamara Lucia Roos with Amaretto, 68.088% (SUI)
2nd Ellie McCarthy with Sir Lancelot M, 67.882% (GBR)
5th Rebecca Edwards with Headmore Delegate, 66.706% (GBR)
6th Ellie McCarthy with Donna Summer, 66.353% (GBR)
Full results
U25 Grand Prix
1st Rebecca Edwards with Headmore Delegate, 68.513% (GBR)
5th Ellie McCarthy with Donna Summer, 65.897% (GBR)
6th Ellie McCarthy with Sir Lancelot M, 65.641% (GBR)
Full results
Young Rider Team Test
1st Esmee Donkers with Chaina, 74.353% (NED)
6th Lewis Carrier with Diego V, 70.059% (GBR)
8th Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur, 67.941% (GBR)
13th Lucy Jane Amy with Extra Time, 66.441% (GBR)
Full results
Young Rider Individual Test
1st Esmee Donkers with Zaffier, 72.010% (NED)
4th Lewis Carrier with Diego V, 68.873% (GBR)
12th Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur, 66.176% (GBR)
13th Lucy Jane Amy with Extra Time, 65.833% (GBR)
Full results
Young Rider Freestyle
1st Julia Groenhart with First Barichello, 73.108% (NED)
6th Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur, 69.975% (GBR)
7th Lewis Carrier with Diego V, 69.575% (GBR)
10th Lucy Jane Amy with Extra Time, 67.708% (GBR)
Full results
Photo c @Les Garennes