Queen of consistency
Maria Eilberg was on form, while pony prime squad rider Annabella Pidgley rose to the challange at her first international abroad.
MARIA EILBERG partnered the Royal Diamond gelding Royal Concert in the middle tour classes and topped the leader board in both the inter B and the inter II, with “Rico” displaying his developing strength and confidence.
Aboard Sarotti, Farah Al Khojai’s Sir Donnerhall gelding, she won the inter I kür after a
strong showing in the prix st georges (PSG) and inter I.
Reflecting on her success Maria said: “Both horses have been consistent through from Hickstead in July to this weekend. It was a bit of a push to keep going after the nationals, but both horses have only been lightly competed and the time was right to consolidate their work at this level. I was especially pleased with Sarotti’s win in the inter I kür on the last day. It was a hot class and our success was doubly rewarding as both Mum and Dad were here to support me.”
Matthias Rath and the Hanoverian stallion Foundation (Fidertanz x De Vito) were clear winners in both the PSG and inter I.
DAHL DELIVERS
DANISH Olympic rider Anders Dahl rode Selten HW to wins in both the grand prix and the grand prix kür, where the combination stood 4% ahead of the class. In the earlier 37-strong grand prix class, huge disparity in the judging had three judges with the pair in first on scores up to 75% and one judge who felt they only deserved 67.5% and 10th place.
In the pony division, Annabella Pidgley and the former Danish team pony Farbenfroh took two second places and a third slot in the individual test. In the freestyle, they showcased their new intricate floorplan for 72.5%.
“I enjoyed the whole experience,” enthused 14-year-old Annabella. “In the tests, I was especially happy with the simple changes and in the medium trots down the centre line, where he just flew.
“He was relaxed in the stable and in the warm-up, but I want to continue building our partnership, so that I can help him stay relaxed during the test.” H&H