This bank holiday weekend marks BD’s fourth Premier League of the season, taking place at Cheshire venue Somerford Park (23-25 May).
The action-packed weekend features classes ranging from medium through to grand prix with U25 team and individual classes slotted in between. The Premier League show will also be hosting the popular young horse classes, which have been boasting record entry numbers in 2014 so far.
Friday’s competition features top names such as British team rider Michael Eilberg, who rides the highly anticipated eight-year-old De Niro stallion, Der Designer (pictured). Having impressed at Keysoe Premier League earlier this year 25-27 April) in the advanced medium with their whopping score of 79.10%, the pair have stepped it up a notch to take on Friday’s advanced class at Somerford.
Michael will also be contesting the Knowsley Safari Park prix st georges on Friday with two time young horse world champion mare, Woodlander Farouche. A class not to be missed, the PSG is guaranteed to bring the competition drama with the likes of Spencer Wilton, Becky Moody, Matt Frost, Charlie Hutton, Henriette Andersen and Young Rider, Olivia Oakley, battling to take the PSG crown and coveted place in the Fairfax Saddles PSG class at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. World record breaker Charlotte Dujardin also appears on the PSG start list with Susan and Robert Fearis’s 11-year-old chestnut gelding, Waranos, with the pair making Somerford Premier League their first competitive outing together.
Friday evening, at 7pm, introduces ‘Meet the Eilbergs’, a question and answer session with Michael and Maria Eilberg. With the opportunity to ask the Eilbergs the questions on the tip of your tongue, plus a complimentary glass of Pimms and canapés on offer, it’s an event not-to-be-missed.
The Firmdale Hotels FEI inter I kicks off proceedings on the Saturday with Gareth Hughes, Darryl Thickett and Maria Eilberg amongst those vying for the top places. Carl Hester follows in the afternoon with Dances with Wolves and Fine Time 13 as they compete in the Goldsmith Williams grand prix class, which also sees Michael Eilberg add to his roster of rides with both Marakov and Woodlander Dornroeschen - similar to sister Maria Eilberg who competes in the same class with her second ride of the weekend, Woodlander Rockstar – but who will claim the qualification ticket to the LeMieux grand prix championship at Stoneleigh? Saturday also signals the takeover of the youngsters, with both the young horse and youth squad classes starting in the morning.
Finishing the day’s competition is crowd favourite, the Baileys Horse Feeds prix st georges freestyle. Starting at 8pm, Pippa Hutton, Louise Davison, Jennifer Manning and Charlotte Dujardin will be among those pumping the volume to impress the judges and raise the scores.
Finally, Michael Eilberg and Der Designer begin Sunday’s competition at 8.30am with their first ever prix st georges in the Equiform Nutrition PSG, whilst the youngsters in the 5 year old FEI British young dressage horse begin proceedings in the adjacent arena.
With so many top combinations to watch over the three days, a trip to Somerford Park is a must for your bank holiday weekend!
For full timetable, start times and information, visit the Somerford Park Premier League site.