In Ferdi Eilberg's demonstration at the British Dressage national convention last weekend (19-20 November), entitled 'International here we come — moving up to PSG and Inter I ', he worked with his son Michael's ride Sa Coeur and finished by giving some takeaway tips for all riders

Ferdi‘s final demonstration with his son Michael at the British Dressage national convention last weekend featured the double world young horse champion, Sa Coeur (pictured), now nine. The gelding has been successfully competing at small tour, and is the current intermediate I national champion.

“He’s an attractive, active horse but a little croup high and long in the loin,” assessed Ferdi. “But he’s beautifully produced, with all the tiny details addressed and very good flexion of the joints — particularly in the hindleg which helps make him naturally capable of sitting.”

He reported that the horse is “a bit of an introvert”, a quality which makes him very reliable in a competition atmosphere.

“We have to keep him quick and sharp behind to put his the hindlegs underneath him and get self-carriage,” he explained to the audience at Hartpury. “We don’t want him to get powerful in the sense of going forwards and with so much contact it becomes counter productive to the power of the hindleg.”

The horse would naturally like to be long and flat in his way of going.

“Whatever the horse finds easy from nature, we have to make sure we concentrate on the things the horse finds hard,” advised Ferdi. “This one likes to swoop forward in a big, flat way, so we work on keeping him sharp and active behind.”

Although the horse is confirmed at inter I level, Michael and Ferdi are careful to perpetually address the miniscule details that make all the difference in a test.

“We’re improving the collection still and keeping him interested in the work,” asserted Ferdi. “And we always aim to be competing at one level but exploring a level above that at home. Sa Coeur knows the moves so we work on the basics and making tiny changes and improvements.

Creating interest

Michael brings Sa Coeur back to walk, then begins to test out the half-steps — a sort of baby, early-stage version of the piaffe.

“Playing with the half steps works both sides of the coin,” explained Ferdi.

“It creates interest in something new and also improves and perfects the ability to build the hind quarters in strength so the horse can carry himself even better in the movements he actually has to perform in competition now. The business of learning involves pushing the boundaries.”

Michael rode unusual lines around the arena for much of the session.

“We’re always reminding Sa Coeur not to go into the big swoop, but to stay quick so Michael immediately stops him from swooping off into a big step and brings him back when that happens. It’s also good to ride interesting lines with a horse that wants to be big and onward bound as they have less chance of guessing where they’re going. His comfort place is long and out, so we keep reminding him that if he has the hindleg under then he can hold himself up.

To take this theory one step further, Michael moves up into canter and, once happy with the quality of the pace, rides some working pirouettes.

“Feel what the horse is doing in the canter,” he advised. “In the pirouette if they want to turn too fast then change your mind and only ride half a pirouette to show you’re not prepared to accept that and finish the movement regardless. The rider must direct the balance of the strides. The more energy Sa Coeur puts in, the easier it is for him to perform the movements. It’s all about him learning the balance.”

“Don’t stress about the size of the pirouettes — we are improving the canter and, when that happens, the smaller size will be available to you naturally.”

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6 takeaway tips from Ferdi Eilberg

1. Whatever you do on one rein, make sure you repeat on the other.

2. Theoretically the poll should be the highest point in competition, but you can make concessions dependant on conformation – e.g. a stallion with a big cresty neck.

3. If the horse is working properly behind and lowering the quarters as desired, then the neck position is almost secondary as the main balance comes from the hindlegs going down and the shoulders going up.

4. Plaits can change the impression of the shape of the neck, so think carefully about how to plait your horse.

5. If you decide to ride to the other end of the arena, then use the time well, perhaps with a leg-yeild or some flying changes.

6. Assess what the horse gives you from nature then make it your job to to constantly look after the other side so you can draw on both well enough in tests.

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At last weekend's British Dressage national convention (19-20 November), Ferdi Eilberg began by focusing on the fundamental dressage building blocks — from the right approach to take with young horses, to the value of having a plan

Guiding young horses

Ferdi Eilberg’s first presentation at the British Dressage national convention last weekend (19-20 November) — focusing on the fundamentals of dressage training — featured his son Michael aboard the four-year-old Rousseau mare Rihanna (pictured, above).

He began by explaining that young horses “shouldn’t be dominated; just guide them”.

As Michael was warming her up and encouraging the hot mare to relax, Ferdi commented on a slightly scrappy upwards transition: “The transition to canter isn’t about putting the perfect canter aid on, it’s about balancing the horse and encouraging them forward,” he said.

The horse was excitable in the area to start with and Ferdi reminded the audience that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“Horses with the energy and the quality to be the best grand prix horses are often very hot youngsters, which can be challenging, but this is what we look for,” he said. “Early on, we focus on the horses’ basic ability to go and stop — both between and within the paces. With most horses, when they start learning to go more forward, they’ll fall on the forehand; there are only a few natural athletes who can maintain the power from behind and not go on the forehand.”

Good management is key to young horses’ physical and mental wellbeing at the Eilberg yard.

“As soon as they are safe we ride them on the sand track around the edge of the field,” he said. “Until then, we have the walls in the indoor school to help contain them.”

Don’t be over-greedy

For the riders’ part, Ferdi stressed that always having a plan is paramount.

“We have to have the constant desire to want to develop the horse,” he said. “It’s a process of challenge, achievement, result. Without challenge there can’t be improvement at the other end.”

The pair played with counter-canter, and the mare changed in front as she struggled to balance her expressive canter.

“Try using shallow loops to introduce counter-canter rather than going large,” advised Ferdi.

“The two corners in an arena that’s 20m wide come up very sharp for a green horse and require quite a high degree of balance.”

He also advised not to be too greedy with a generous, talented horse.

“If a horse is naturally balanced, don’t get carried away with the movements and move on a bit swift just because the horse is talented and naturally balanced. Give it time for the body to consolidate and the muscles to build. It’s the correctly-developed muscles that will protect the joints and the ligaments from being hurt — and that takes time.

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Stretching: how and when

“Stretching a green horse in canter can be very difficult,” advised Ferdi. “Normally, when you give a young horse the rein and it will fall back to trot. Rihanna is exceptional as she has such good natural, uphill balance, so she can take the stretch.

“You must not shorten the neck too much in front before horses learn to collect behind. They need to step forward with the hindleg into the contact.”

He also offered advice to those whose horses aren’t relaxed or well enough behaved to perform a stretch when warming up.

“Be brave with the stretch at the end of the session when the horse is quieter and not so likely to be naughty,” he suggested. “They must learn to stretch the neck muscles. Once they are confident doing that, they will come back to take the contact better.

“Stretching the neck muscles immediately has a great influence on stretching the back muscles — this is a lot of this horse’s work at the moment because from nature she offers to be together.

“So she has to stretch the muscles because the body is more comfortable coming together. When we first lunged this horse in canter she looked like she’d been trained for two years. Her balance was exceptional.”

Look out for part two of Ferdi’s finest advice from the British Dressage national convention, coming later this week

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Eilbergs’ Pink Green Farm is something of a dressage oasis, beautifully designed with excellent facilities. It’s hard to imagine that when Ferdi first arrived 30 years ago, there was nothing here.

“It was all just fields on a steep slope,” remembers Ferdi. “I had Maria with me in her carry cot, so I set her down in the shade and started planning my arena.”

Three decades on, the yard has produced two of Britain’s most successful dressage riders. We take a look around.

1. The godsend horse walker

The recently installed Claydon covered horse walker proves invaluable for the Eilbergs and their team of five core staff. “It’s a much better version than what we had before. It takes six horses and is very spacious with rubber rather than wood so they can have a kick and squeal safely,” says Michael.

2. Facilities galore

The main barn is enviably light, spacious and airy, featuring vaulted ceilings, beams and archways, and leading straight out onto the viewing area in the indoor arena. And there’s no shortage of facilities — the yard also boasts a wash bay, a clipping/tacking up area and a solarium.

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3. The canter track

In addition to a 30x60m outdoor arena and 20x60m indoor, the Eilbergs also have the luxury of a canter track, just in front of the family house. “It’s lovely to be able to work the horses out there in the summer and it’s fantastic for giving them an airing and a bit of a play,” says Michael. “I find it especially good for practising changes — you’ve got more length than on the diagonal in the school. It helps with straightness, channelling the horses between the sleepers and creating a 2m track.”

4. Far-reaching views

With its proximity to Redditch and Birmingham you might not expect the gorgeous rural views that Pink Green Farm boasts. The Eilbergs recently acquired more land to bring their total acreage up to around 11 acres, and they’re certainly in a beautiful spot.

5. Equine residents

Pink Green Farm has plenty of equine superstars in residence that we wouldn’t mind sneaking home, including Woodlander Farouche and her mother Woodlander Dornroeschen, Michael’s 2015 team ride Marakov and his other small tour horses Der Designer, Fuerst Sinclair and Half Moon Dynasty, plus Maria’s talented Royal Concert.

6. The future talent

Michael has high hopes for Farouche’s daughter, the now five-year-old Woodlander Walk On The Side (Wesuvio x Furst Heinrich). “She’s fantastic. She just needs some time to strengthen up — she’s long and leggy like her mum,” says Michael. She also has offspring of her own in the form of the eye-catching, cheeky Zorro, by Blue Hors Zack, pictured with Michael. We think he’ll be another to look out for in years to come.

7. Garlanded ancestry

With one of Britain’s top grand prix riders and trainers, not to mention European silver medallist Ferdi for a father, there’s no doubt that Michael and Maria come from exceptional dressage pedigree. Display cabinets showcasing the family’s rosettes and awards from over the years adorn the yard, and it’s enough to make any dressage enthusiast starry-eyed.

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Father and son dressage supremos Ferdi and Michael Eilberg share some of their performance enhancing secrets — from playing with different angles to knowing when your horse needs a rest

1. Don’t forget to practise simple exercises

“When I’m schooling, I have a system based around riding straight lines, corners and circles,” explains Michael. “It helps with suppleness and rideability.”

2. Play with different angles

“Doing shoulder in or quarters in helps with suppling, which in turn lets impulsion through to the contact and allows weight to be transferred onto the hind legs,” says Ferdi.

3. Perform transitions both between and within the paces

“Work within the gait – sending the horse on for four strides, and bringing him back for four strides,” says Ferdi. “The aim is to get the horses to use themselves, going forward and back, before moving on to lateral work.”

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4. Help the horse to help himself

“Make sure you wake him up when you need to, with a little kick,” says Ferdi. “Tell him that if he gives you more impulsion, the work will become easier for him. Horses tend to think about where they can save themselves, but you need to let him know what he has to bring to the game. Don’t let the horse struggle with a movement if he doesn’t have enough impulsion.”

5. Know when a rest is needed

“Stretch the horse at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of a session,” advises Ferdi. “Let him relax his muscles after an intensive movement – if you ask too much for too long, you will be asking empty muscles to perform, and this is when the muscle stops protecting ligaments and joints as it should, leading to injury.”

6. Don’t be afraid to mix it up

“We change nosebands and bits quite often to see what is working best and to keep the horses in a good place,” says Michael. “Mostly we tend to work them in a snaffle at home, to get a true reflection of how well they are working through their body.”

7. Pretend you’re a pilot

“Always check the basics whenever you bring a horse out, no matter what you’re riding,” says Ferdi. “You should have a checklist — like a pilot before a plane takes off. Don’t advance to the more difficult movements if the horse isn’t listening, or if straightness and flexion isn’t there.”

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Ferdi Eilberg began his career in Germany training with Dr Reiner Kilmke and Johann Hinnemann before moving to the UK in 1980.

He took out British citizenship 11 years later and has had many successes competing in the UK.

Ferdi has ridden for Great Britain twice at both the European Championships (1993 and 1995) and the World Equestrian Games (1994 and 1998).

Ferdi was also the dressage trainer to the British Three Day Event Team from 1981-1992, accompanying them to three Olympic Games.

In 2002 the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) named Ferdi as British Dressage’s new World Class Director of Coaching and then in 2003 he was appointed as the team’s Performance Manager.

In this role Ferdi was responsible for overseeing the training schedules of Britain’s top dressage riders as they prepared for major championships. In 2009 Ferdi became dressage trainer to the Irish three-day eventing team as well.

Ferdi is based in Worcestershire. In 2003 he became the second person to be granted an honorary Fellowship by The British Horse Society in recognition of his services to horsemanship.

Ferdi Eilberg will train Ireland’s three-day eventing team in dressage in the new year.

Ferdi is a former World Class Performance Director of coaching to the British dressage team, and dressage trainer to the British eventing team.

As dressage trainer to the Irish three-day eventing team, he replaces Sandy Phillips, wife of H&H columnist Captain Mark Phillips.

Horse Sport Ireland’s eventing high performance manager Ginny Elliot said: “I worked with Ferdi when he was coach for the British eventing team. He is a gifted trainer and I believe the squad will benefit greatly from his expertise.”

Ferdi Eilberg was born in Germany but has been a UK resident for more than 20 years. He has represented Britain at two European championships (1993 and 1995) and two World Equestrian Games (1994 and 1998).

He said: “I’m looking forward to working with Ireland’s eventers and I think Ginny and I can make a considerable difference [to their performance]. I am very excited.”

Ginny Elliot added that Michael Quirke will continue to train the eventers at show jumping.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Many dressage competitors find it difficult to reproduce their horse’s best work in the arena at a show, but according to Ferdie, training for the test is all about balance.

“Arena craft is based mostly on being in charge of the horse’s balance,” says Ferdie. “There are three simple, basic things which the rider needs to be in charge of: speed, direction and the horse’s outline.

“If you are in charge of these three things you are in a position to ride a test, maybe not one that is sophisticated, but you are in a position to show off the horse to the judge.

“The key to success is to be able to control the horse when he is at maximum power — out of control power is of no use, but neither is blocking his natural expression.

“Problems with individual movements, whether riding a simple diagonal or a half-pass, occur mainly because of lack of balance, engagement or acceptance of the aids.

“When you enter the arena you are faced with four corners and a series of transitions. I tell my pupils that they can expect each individual movement to be only as good and as balanced as the corner was went before it.

“When the rider can use the corner to set the horse up with optimum engagement, self-carriage and bend, then the subsequent movements should be well-rewarded by the judges. Corners are the key to getting good test marks.”

Ask Ferdie

Do you have a problem which you would like Ferdie’s expert advice on? Or maybe a query about how to get the very best out of your horse when it matters at a show? Email your questions to seamour_rathore@ipcmedia.com or (fax: 020 7261 5429).

This article was extracted from Ferdie Eilberg’s second training masterclass in Horse & Hound (29 January).

Horse & Hound unveils its new training series with British dressage master Ferdi Eilberg in tomorrow’s (22 January) magazine, and is calling for HHO users to send in questions for Ferdi to answer.

German-born Ferdi was a member of the British silver medal-winning dressage team at the Europeans in 1993, and acting performance manager and director of coaching for the bronze medal-winning British team at Hickstead last year.

He has been at the forefront of improving British dressage in order to gain Olympic qualification and now heads the battle to consolidate Britain’s global position to ensure a good result at the Athens Olympics this summer.

Ferdie also has a wealth of experience with top event riders, being dressage trainer to the British eventing squad for 11 years and having a long-standing training partnership with Mary King since 1981.

A true all-round rider, Ferdie is a great believer that it is important that young horse don’t to specialise to early and has competed to advanced level in jumping as well as dressage.

If you are currently experiencing a problem with your horse which you would like Ferdie’s help to solve, or have any other questions for him, please email: seamour_rathore@ipcmedia.com

Fascinating Ferdi facts

• Ferdi was born in 1953 in Niederzeuzheim in Germany
• Between 1969-1973 he was trained by German multi-gold medallist Dr Reiner
  Klimke, where he met another great influence and friend, European silver medallist Johann Hinnemann.
• Most successful equine partner: Arun Tor. The pair clocked up around 70 major successes, including team silver at the European Championships at Lipica in 1993.
  Arun Tor was British-bred, by the Cleveland Bay Osberton Napoleon out of a Thoroughbred mare, Lights Out Lady.
• Ferdi has show jumped to grade A level. As well as being a Reitlehrer FN (a professional qualification when entitles the holder to have pupils) he holds the German Reiter Abzeichunung (medal for success at advanced level in both show jumping and dressage) which he received in 1978.
• Between 1981 and 1992, Ferdi was dressage trainer to the British eventing squad for a successful 11-year term and has trained top event riders including Mary King, Richard Meade, Tiny Clapham.
• He has also trained many dressage riders, including Britain’s leading FEI judge Stephen Clarke, and his former groom Lucy Farrer, to whom he passed on his ride Giovanni.
• In 2002, he was appointed World Class Performance director of coaching and in addition, became acting performance manager in January 2003 for dressage.
• Ferdi married Geri in 1978 and has three children: dressage young rider team member Maria, 20; Michael, 17; who is an apprentice to show jumper Tim Stockdale; and Luke, 15, now also majoring in show jumping.
• Ferdi has been at his base, Pink Green Farm in Worcestershire, since 1984.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now