Steph Croxford back with a bang after baby break

Just three weeks after giving birth to her second child, Stephanie Croxford won the grand prix special at Hartpury international, Gloucestershire (16-18 July).

She rode crowd favourite, her own part-Gelderlander Mr President.

Steph told H&H: “I was so happy to get him back out competing again – never in a million years did I expect to come here and win. He does it all, I just have to sit here and let him know what’s coming up next.”

Steph is now looking forward to the nationals, which she qualified for while five months pregnant.

In the small tour, Michael Eilberg took the honours riding his former showjumper Torino. As a reminder, he let the horse jump the dressage boards on his way out of the prize-giving.

“He’s really found his niche at this level,” said Michael. “In his past five tests he’s been scoring over 70%, he finds it easy.”

Michael had to withdraw his grand prix special ride, Marakov, as he didn’t have time between the intermediate music and Premier League prix st george.

Don’t miss Horse & Hound 29 July for all the news, views and gossip from Hartpury festival of dressage.

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