British riders Michael Eilberg and Louise Bell travelled to Hof Kasselmann’s in Germany last week to compete at Hagen CDI, 22-26 April. The legendary annual show, known as ‘Horses and Dreams’ is a hotbed of dressage, attracting a plethora of world class riders each year. Michael competed in the big tour with Marakov, his father Ferdi’s 15-year-old Latvian gelding, whilst Louise contested at small tour with Into the Blue (pictured), her nine-year-old British-bred roan who also has an illustrious showing CV.
Every year, Ullrich Kasselmann and his team turn the spotlight on a different guest country for one of the most fascinating horse shows in Europe. This year the show, which typically attracts more than 70,000 visitors, was treated with an Australian theme. Celebrating the culture and lifestyle of our antipodean cousins, the theme set the scene for some ‘bonzer’ competition!
WEG team silver-medallist and British national champion, Michael, rode ‘Marco’ in the 28-strong grand prix for special achieving 14th place with 68.920%. The rider to claim the class was the home nation’s Kristina Sprehe riding the De Niro-sired stallion Desperados FRH, with a score of 80.780%.
Britain’s Louise Bell relished the opportunity to compete in the red-hot small tour divisions. In the prix st georges, which saw a resounding victory for the new partnership of Damon Hill NRW and his young rider, Jil-Marielle Becks, Louise and ‘Dynamo’ as he’s known, performed for a creditable 65% and 20th place.
“I have had a great experience today here in Hagen, Germany with my beloved ‘Into the Blue’ in the small tour PSG,” said Louise via her Facebook page. “A few too many over-eager-to-please mistakes and rider needs to think quicker! But on the whole, a good test for his experience at this level. What was brilliant for me was to have John and Robert Whitaker over at the dressage side seeing their home-bred perform for the first time! They were over the moon to see him and they thought he looked awesome! So that’s made my day! It was a special moment for all concerned. Now I’m going to try and ride much better tomorrow, and say to myself how amazingly lucky I am to even be here! With the likes of Damon Hill and Blue Hors Zack in my class plus world champion riders…I’m finishing just over half way down…not too bad…Hagen is quite the most stunning show ever!”
The following day Louise and Dynamo posted 65.684% in the intermediate I for 13th place. Louise expressed her delight on Facebook: “Fantastic day today! Yes I know coming 13th sounds bad but.....you should have seen who was in the class! Dynamo a little cheeky...and yes all of my work can be better, and will be in time, but just very proud of my horse and I was ecstatic to ride in that arena today, hoping one day I can be back to do better. Fabulous experience I'm forever grateful for.”
For full results click here