British team dressage medallist Michael Eilberg shares the innovative ways he uses poles to help develop young horses’ early training, from corners and circles to counter canter and lateral work

1. Arrange poles around your arena as per the diagram, below

“I use a three figure approach with my young horses: circles, to check the horse is loose and supple; straight lines, to check you can control the bend, that you don’t have to have it if you don’t want it; and corners, to represent more control and the introduction of collection,” says Michael. “Everything you do in an arena is made up of four straight line and four corners, so they always have to be good.”

2. Use the poles around the edge to help you ride better corners

“Ride around the pole to help push your horse into the corner so you don’t have to do too much with your aids,” advises Michael. “Then turn across the school between B and E and ride through parallel poles to give the horse direction and keep him straight so you don’t have to be too strong with your aids.”

3. Ride circles of varying sizes around the poles in canter, to help develop strength and the first steps towards teaching collection

“The canter in the smaller circle might get a bit more laboured as the horse has to work harder, so you need a more active aid to keep the energy in the canter,” says Michael. “The bigger circle then offers more relief, where you can send him forward.”

4. Now make circles in between two of your corner poles, rather than around them

“This works them a bit harder, and they may get tense. Even if your horse gets strong, try to let go — don’t be strong back,” says Michael, who advises taking the horse onto a bigger circle, or down the straight line after a couple of smaller circles, to allow him to relax.

“The minute you get the opportunity to soften, you must soften — you have to make the first move yourself sometimes.”

5. Use this arrangement of poles to start teaching counter canter

To start counter canter, ride a small half circle around the pole coming out of the corner, then a loop back towards the track at B or E. At the middle marker, ride back towards the centre line and make a half circle round the pole at the other end.

“Don’t panic if you can’t get all the way to the track at first,” says Michael. “Work on challenging the horse’s balance and getting closer. Try to be black and white with your corrections; say, ‘Not like this, like this’.

“If the rhythm gets too fast in the loop, wait for the circle at the end to catch the speed — you don’t have to pull.”

6. In between exercises, give your horse a chance to stretch, and check he’s relaxed

“When you’re stretching a horse, all the same things still matter,” points out Michael. “You still want him to be rhythmic and balanced, just with a longer neck. You don’t want him to fall on the floor with his nose.”

7. Rearrange your poles as per the second diagram, below, to use them to help introduce young horses to the early stages of lateral work

“When starting lateral work, don’t forget that it has to be forwards and sideways, not just sideways,” says Michael. “Using poles helps give direction, and they give the horse confidence because he knows where he’s going.”

8. The first lateral movement Michael teaches his young horses is the leg yield

Make a half circle in trot and ride down the outside of the diagonal line of poles, back towards the track to start the leg yield.

“Push the quarters away from the poles — the horse needs to understand how to be more reactive off the leg.”

In between, add some transitions to check the horse is staying reactive to your aids, and to maintain a quality trot.

“The horse must learn to understand going sideways without losing a good trot. You’re always looking to not have to work too hard,” says Michael.

9. Progress to using the poles to help teach a horse to half-pass, using travers

“The hardest thing about half-pass is positioning the horse correctly — the quarters are often leading or there is not enough bend,” points out Michael. “By riding travers down the outside of the diagonal pole line you are already more-or-less doing half-pass. The beauty of it is that every time you ride it you’re getting the same half-pass and it starts to feel familiar. The poles help keep the horse in position and rhythm and you can ride positively forward as you know where your line is.”

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The scales of training are the stepping stones we use to train our horses. They help us evaluate where our horses are in their education, and form the basis of how judges assess dressage tests. Also known as the German training scale, the scales of training are used across the world.

What are the scales of training?

The scales of training are rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and collection. Each builds on the others and works together to achieve progression through the levels of dressage.

1. Rhythm

Rhythm is the regularity of the beats in all paces. The regularity is the correct sequence of the footfalls and the tempo is the speed of the rhythm.

2. Suppleness

Suppleness describes how a horse is moving in terms of resistance and considers pliability, ability to smoothly adjust the carriage (longitudinally) and the position (laterally) without impairing the flow of movement and balance.

3. Contact

Contact is the soft, steady connection between the rider’s hand and the horse’s mouth. Horses should go rhythmically forward from the rider’s driving aids and seek contact with the rider’s hand, going into the contact. The horse seeks the contact, while the rider provides the contact.

4. Impulsion

Impulsion is balanced energy and should not be confused with speed. It is the transmission of controlled, propulsive energy generated from the hindquarters into the athletic movement of the eager horse. Its ultimate expression can be shown only through the horse’s soft and swinging back, and is guided by the gentle contact with the rider’s hand.

5. Straightness

A horse shows straightness when its forehand is in line with its hindquarters, that is, when the longitudinal axis is in line with the straight or curved track it is following. A horse can still be described as straight when bending – the horse’s forefeet should always be aligned with the horse’s hind feet on straight and curved lines.

6. Collection

Collection is the increased engagement and activity of the hindlegs, with joints bent and supple, stepping forward under the horse’s belly. It is the re-balancing of the horse carrying the foreign weight of the rider and teaching him to carry more of the combined weight on his hindquarters rather than on his shoulders.

How to progress through the scales of training

The progression though these scales is rarely linear, and it can be frustrating trying to work out how all these attributes apply to your particular horse. At the 2019 British Dressage National Convention, held at Addington Equestrian Centre, British team medallist Michael Eilberg captivated the audience with his explanation of how the scales of training work — and sometimes don’t work — in tandem with each other.

“There are four basic things relating to the first phase of the scales of training: rhythm, balance, suppleness and relaxation,” explained Michael. “These are four core qualities that you never want to lose throughout any work that you do with your horse.”

Michael laid out four poles in a square shape with open corners, each pole representing one of these things.

“When I get on my horse I control speed, direction and outline, and if I can start to take an influence over those three things I start getting close to linking these four qualities together,” he continues, moving the poles one by one so they end up touching, in a closed square (pictured below), demonstrating how rhythm, balance, suppleness and relaxation all feed into each other.

When this is established in the early stages of training, Michael explains that a rider can start to work the horse forward into a stronger contact, as well as introducing impulsion. He sets up two boxes outside the square to represent each of these things, but explains that most of the time, when you start to bring contact or impulsion into the mix, it is initially at the expense of one of the four original “pillars”.

“For example, I can bring in impulsion, but initially only at the expense of good rhythm,” he says, placing one of the boxes in the middle of square and rolling away one pole to demonstrate this.

“So when that is the case, I have to take a step back and reintroduce contact or impulsion to a lesser extent, only up to the point at which one of the four pillars breaks away.

“Eventually, a horse should be able to accept contact and impulsion while also maintaining rhythm, balance, suppleness and relaxation, and then it is the same process with straightness and collection.”

Adding that this is a process that takes years, Michael also reminds the audience that once you have all these qualities securely in place and working together within your horse’s training, it doesn’t always stay that way.

“As years go by however, and your horse gains strength, these things do become more and more set in stone,” he concludes.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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The Dressage Future Elite Championships returns to the Horse of the Year Show for 2023, and will see some of the country’s best horses aged between eight and 10 perform an inter I freestyle as they bid for the title.

This is the 11th year and 10th running of the championship which was launched in 2013, and only missed in 2020 when HOYS was cancelled due to the pandemic. In that time, nine super horses have walked away with the coveted title, but what became of each of the Future Elite winners – did they rise to stardom as expected? We take a look back to find out…

2013 – Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Dynasty

The inaugural Future Elite title went to Michael Eilberg riding the then nine-year-old Dimaggio mare Half Moon Dynasty, who was owned by Jon and Julie Deverill. The pair scored 74.54% to top the class. Michael and “Mollie’ went on to win the inter I freestyle title at the 2014 Winter Dressage Championships, and the inter II at the 2015 National Dressage Championships. She made her grand prix debut in 2016, winning at Keysoe and Saumur CDI3*s the following year but sustained serious injuries in a hacking accident in May 2017, and was sadly put down six weeks later following complications. 

2014 – Anders Dahl and Selten HW

The 2014 Future Elite title went to Britain-based Danish rider Anders Dahl – the only non-British rider to have ever won this class. He rode the then 10-year-old Sandro Hit son Selten HW, and scored 79.2% to come out on top, beating Michael Eilberg with the double young horse world champion Woodlander Farouche. Selten went on to have a hugely successful international grand prix career with Anders – he made his grand prix debut in 2016 and later that year the pair were members of the Danish team at the Rio Olympics. They also competed for Denmark at the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG), as well as clocking up several victories on the international grand prix circuit. The ride on Selten was later passed to Anders’ daughter Mette, who scored a double win on him in children-on-horses ranks at the Le Mans CDI3* in February 2020.

2015 – Becky Moody and Carinsio

Becky Moody claimed the 2015 title with Carinsio, posting 77.71%, with the Painted Black son, who was eight at the time. He made his grand prix debut late the following year, having won back-to-back national titles at inter I and inter II. Becky and “Jack Jack” became stalwarts of the grand prix scene over the next few years, competing on British Nations Cup teams and clocking up several grand prix Premier League wins. The gelding’s career has, however, been interrupted by injuries – he had some time out towards the end of 2019, and although he returned to top level in 2020 and 2021, he was retired after the National Dressage Championships 2021.

2016 – Charlotte Dujardin and Hawtins Delicato

2016 was the first year in which Charlotte Dujardin contested the Future Elite championship at HOYS, and she duly took home the title with 78.64% riding the then eight-year-old Hawtins Delicato, by Diamond Hit. Charlotte continued to campaign “Del” up the levels over the following 18 months, until he made his grand prix debut in early 2018, at which point owner Carl Hester took over the ride. Under Carl, Del went on to become one of Britain’s most successful grand prix horses of recent years, helping the team to bronze at WEG in 2018 and finishing sixth individually in the grand prix at the European Championships in 2019. In 2020, the gelding was sold to Fiona Bigwood, and the pair enjoyed several international wins together, before Del was sold to Fenella Quinn in 2022.

2017 – Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle

In 2017, Charlotte returned to HOYS and successfully defended her Future Elite title, this time riding the eight-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle. Charlotte and the Fidermark daughter set a new Future Elite record score of 84.92%. Freestyle made swift progress through the levels; less than a year after her Future Elite win, she won team and individual bronze with Charlotte at WEG in Tryon, USA, having swept the board at British internationals that year, her first season at grand prix. She continued her dominance the following year, though was eliminated in the grand prix at the European Championships in 2019, and qualified for the World Cup final in 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. She campaigned strongly for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but was ruled out due to a soundness issue, and returned to her owner Emma Blundell, who won a grand prix on her this year.

2018 – Charlotte Dujardin and Florentina VI

Charlotte made it a hat-trick of titles in 2018, riding the third of her Future Elite winners, the delightful grey Vivaldi mare Florentina VI to victory with 79.12%. The pair dominated the small tour scene that year, both nationally and internationally, but Flora was not seen out in competition again until 2021, when she made her grand prix debut at Wellington Premier League; Charlotte explained they had deliberately given her plenty of time to mature before coming out at top level. Despite making a successful debut at grand prix, Flora has not competed since, but has accompanied Charlotte and her other horses to shows over the past couple of years for training.

2019 – Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Valencia

Charlotte added to her growing list of Future Elite winners with the fiery nine-year-old Mount St John Valencia, another Vivaldi daughter. Charlotte and Valencia had enjoyed a very successful 2019 at small tour, but in 2020 the ride on Emma Blundell’s chestnut mare passed to Amy Woodhead. Valencia and Amy have enjoyed success at small and middle tour, winning at inter I at Hartpury Premier League in their first year of competition together. She and Amy scored plus-71% at inter II at Keysoe Premier League last year, before Amy took a break to have her first child. Valencia was sold to Ireland in 2022, and has now made her grand prix debut under Sean Burgess.

2021 – Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep

The latest of Charlotte’s Future Elite winners, and indeed her fifth in a row, was Imhotep, the precocious Everdale son who took the 2021 HOYS title. Known as “Pete”, the chestnut gelding made rapid progress, winning his first ever grand prix with over 77% in March 2022 and quickly emerging as Charlotte’s top prospect for the World Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark. At the 2023 Europeans, he led Britain to team gold, and also won two individual bronze medals with a freestyle score of 91.4%. This hugely talented gelding is now being campaigned towards the 2024 Paris Olympics.

2022 – Becky Moody and Jagerbomb

The 2022 title went to Becky Moody, the second time she has won this class. Her latest winner was Jagerbomb, the lovable gelding who was famously unexciting as a very young horse, but has blossomed into a prolific winner for Becky. Since taking the Future Elite title, Jagerbomb has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting grand prix horses, making his debut at top level in early 2023, and clocking up several national and international wins since, including topping the grand prix freestyle at the National Dressage Championships. Becky and Jagerbomb were also travelling reserves for the European Dressage Championships, and the future looks bright for this talented pair.

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The FEI dressage committee is “in favour” of keeping the double bridle compulsory at the top levels of international grand prix – as the debate continues.

The FEI independent ethics and wellbeing commission’s recommendation to make double bridles optional in grand prix dressage – and spurs optional in any FEI discipline – came to light when the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) and International Dressage Trainers Club (IDTC) published a letter strongly opposing the proposal (news, 6 Oct).

The letter, which has since been removed from the groups’ websites, raised points including their opinion that opposition to the double bridle stems from a “lack of understanding“ of how and why it is used, that double bridles and spurs used properly allow riders to give defined aids, and that making them optional would have “no positive impact on horse welfare”. In response, the FEI said the proposal was part of an ongoing consultation process – and an interim report will be presented at next month’s general assembly.

The matter has continued to be a talking point and in an update on 14 October, the FEI gave H&H further information on how the recommendation arose. The FEI spokesman said the ethics and wellbeing commission met in August and agreed to submit six recommendations on “technical/sport aspects, and research and education” to the FEI. The technical/sport recommendations were shared with the technical committees, and on 20 September the dressage committee discussed the proposals, during which it was highlighted that under the current rules, double bridles are optional up to CDI2* level – but mandatory at CDI3* and upwards.

“This change, introduced in 2019, reflects a progression in the level of skills of the athlete and training of the horse from low and medium level to the highest level of performance,” said the spokesman.

“The dressage committee is in favour of maintaining the double bridle compulsory at grand prix level.”

The spokesman added that a final report was presented to the FEI board, and on 14 October the recommendations were submitted to the national federations and stakeholders, ahead of discussion at the general assembly.

As the debate continues, H&H sought opinions on the proposal from stakeholders.

Last week IDTC president David Hunt wrote to H&H (letters, 13 October) after the organisation “heard some of the reaction” to the IDRC and IDTC letter. He said the organisations’ opposition to the proposal was based on the “optional” aspect, and said it was put forward as “advancing horse welfare” – but if something is deemed harmful he believes it should be banned. He added that “welfare and sport issues must not be confused”.

He then told H&H making the double bridle optional is a “slippery slope”.

“Riding in a double bridle and spurs is traditional, but it is also a very skilful thing. What concerns me is if they try to dumb everything down; you allow more people perhaps to compete, but you’re dumbing down the the level of competition,” he said.

“‘Welfare’ is being used as an escape because it catches people’s attention. If [the ethics and wellbeing commission] think a double bridle is a welfare issue, then we shouldn’t be using it.”

Mr Hunt, who said he was not aware the letter had been taken down, added that the sport is “rigorous in its protection of horses”.

“We have stewards in place and we are very restrictive in the bits we are allowed to use, unlike other sports where they have a massive variety. Our horses are looked after to such a high degree, and I struggle to find why they keep picking on dressage,” he said.

“If we start allowing things to creep in then we’re dulling the whole brilliance of the sport. That’s what makes it so beautiful, because horses are in self-carriage and they’re not supporting and leaning on the bit, which they can do in a snaffle.

“We are constantly making sure that we have welfare as our main objective. We are open to and seek people’s opinions – but I don’t want our sport dragged down by a small majority of people who think that the horse should only be out in the field grazing.”

Irish dressage rider Dane Rawlins, who is on the IDTC board, agreed with Mr Hunt that it is a “sport issue, not a welfare issue”.

“The epitome of riding international grand prix is to produce a horse to the highest standards with the classical tack. My grand prix horse goes better in a snaffle than a double, it’s harder to ride in a double sometimes, but it’s not a welfare issue,” he said.

“Part of the achievement of international dressage is to do things correctly and well with your horse. The perception that putting a double bridle on is some barbaric way of overcontrolling a horse is misguided.”

The Dutch national federation is in agreement with making double bridles optional – and put this suggestion to the FEI during the periodic rules revision this year. At the time the FEI dressage committee responded that double bridles should remain at CDI3* and above, “as this is the highest levels of competition”.

“The welfare of the horse is our number one priority. Therefore we put forward several proposals in this year’s rules revision that underline this,” Irish Boelhouwer, the federation’s high performance manager told H&H.

“There is no valid reason to keep the double bridle mandatory. If a rider thinks his or her horse would perform better in a snaffle, why not let them? Everybody can keep riding with the double bridle if they think it works best. The jury still looks at all the same markers regardless of their bridle. We’ve given the riders in the Netherlands this option in the last 15 years and there has been absolutely no problems, the same goes for use of spurs. It’s disappointing that these suggestions are dismissed without any substantial arguments”.

Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson told H&H she felt it is not a “black and white” issue.

“You can respond on so many levels; there’s the welfare side, the sport side, and the traditional side,” she said. “There are horses who are more comfortable in a snaffle bridle, not because of what the rider is doing, but because of the way their mouths are shaped. I definitely have horses who I prefer to ride in a snaffle.

“I don’t know whether I think it should or shouldn’t be optional, but I think there should be a healthy debate and we should come up with the reasons for and against.”

World and European medallist Michael Eilberg told H&H the argument comes down to horse and rider preference.

“People who have horses that are happy in a double will be happy to keep the rule, and people who have horses they wish they could ride in a snaffle would like the rule to change,” he said.

“I’ve had it myself where a horse doesn’t like the double and doesn’t give such an easy ride, and the riding might not be as good, so the options do lend themselves I think possibly to better riding if the double was optional – but I agree with David Hunt that this is a sport issue, not a welfare issue.”

British team dressage rider Richard Davison told H&H it is a “shame” that the work of the ethics and wellbeing commission had this “unfortunate start”.

“This clearly shows that the FEI needs to take its stakeholders with them on any policy move, and we need to collaborate. For me, the issue has been a lack of collaboration and communication with stakeholders before the recommendations were presented to the FEI,” he said.

“We need to work together with the commission because the point of the commission is not only to decide on issues of wellbeing, but is to protect the use of horses in sport – which are very commendable aims.”

Mr Davison added that the double bridle being optional at grand prix level is “nothing new” – it is optional at national level in a number of countries including the UK.

“We all know some horses will find one bit in their mouth more comfortable than two – that’s why you’ll see many top riders training up-and-coming horses in snaffles or doubles and they interchange them, so I don’t really feel it’s necessary to start going down rabbit holes of what doubles and snaffles do and don’t do,” he said.

“The principle of the double bridle being optional is already embedded in FEI rules, all that they’re talking about is extending that to CDI3* and upwards.”

You might also be interested in:

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Michael Eilberg secured his first 2022 LeMieux National Dressage Championships title aboard Nicky Hannam’s exciting MSJ Encore (Eric) who led the KBIS National Dressage Championships seven-year-old young horse championship field.

It was a title Michael had hoped the Escolar-sired Oldenburg, who was second in last year’s six-year-old final here at Somerford Park, would add to his tally. And their impressive score of 78.90% — over 3% clear of second place — ensured victory in the National Dressage Championships seven-year-old final was undoubtably theirs.

“He’s always been a cool dude,” said Michael, who admitted he was feeling a little under the weather during his test, suffering from his annual bout of ‘nationals illness’.“Eric is a lovely character and is really trainable. He was second here last year, so to come back and win this time was a really nice bonus.”

“His marks today were consistent throughout the whole test; I think he scored eights for all of his gaits. He’s got a special canter and his trot is lovely to ride. He walked especially well today, too.”

“I’ll keep training him now to see where he can go,” added Michael, third in yesterday’s Saracen Horse Feeds inter I gold championship with MSJ Dante VX. “He’s got the brain for it and you feel like he tries to understand everything you try to teach him. I always find myself coming out of the ring with a big smile on my face.

“I love coming to the nationals, but I seem to be ill every year!”

Second place was Robert Barker on Christine Kirk’s Herbstrot who totalled 75.85%.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

When Michael Eilberg scored three top-three small tour placings at Keysoe CDI earlier this year, it was his first international competition in four years. With his last top grand prix horse, Marakov, having taken a step back from competing in 2018, Michael has been absent from the international dressage scene for a while, but he has certainly kept busy, bringing on the next generation – horse and human.

“I’ve had a period of downtime; we’ve started a family [with wife Maya] and rebooted the horsepower,” Michael says on episode 108 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, supported by Amerigo and their UK distributor Zebra.

“We’ve started our own breeding programme and we have quite a depth in horsepower now, with some horses now at the age where they’re starting to do some serious stuff. Maybe by the end of this year we might be getting out at grand prix,” says Michael, who names the nine-year-old Dante Weltino x Quattro B son MSJ Dante VX as “probably my favourite”.

“We’ve had Dante since a foal and he is a real special horse,” he says. “He can be a little insecure and in his younger years he took time to become confident in certain surroundings.

“He did the four-year-old classes, but at the semi-final he ran out of the arena with me. As a five-year-old he qualified for the final, but then came last in it as he wouldn’t walk or halt. As a six-year-old he won the semi-final, and as a seven-year-old he won the final. As he’s gone through the years, he has got more confident and we have developed a really good bond. He trusts me now.”

As well as being crowned 2020 seven-year-old national champion, Dante, who is owned by Michael, his father Ferdi Eilberg and Nicky Hannam, has had success at small tour level, with prix st georges and inter I wins at Keysoe and Somerford Park Premier Leagues this summer.

“I just love riding him, as he’s one of those horses who always tries his best,” says Michael.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have sat on some really good horses, and he gives me one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. Marakov was always a lovely horse to ride, but his problem was spookiness and his conformation. I always said I wished I could have a horse who rode Marakov but wasn’t spooky, and had better conformation and paces. I think Dante could be that one.

“He has a lot of boxes ticked when it comes to the marks available to him, which is why I rate him so much. His walk is unbelievable – he walks for a nine or 10 – and he also has extremely high talent for piaffe-passage and the pirouettes. He has enormous talent, and if he keeps his cool I think he’s going to be one of the best.”

Michael Eilberg: ‘I’ve had a different outlook on competing’

As well as bringing on some exciting younger horses, with other future stars including Figlio and MSJ Distinction, Michael explains that having had a break from top level competition has helped him enjoy the sport again.

“I did a lot of top level competing when I was younger and I had quite a lot of pressure on me with horses like Woodlander Farouche and Half Moon Delphi. So I’ve really appreciated taking a breather. I had a while where I felt a bit ‘off’ competing, but over the past year I’ve had a different outlook. My inspiration comes from training horses, but I’ve got the buzz back and I’m really happy to be riding these horses and enjoying shows.”

• Listen to more of Michael’s thoughts on episode 108 of The Horse & Hound Podcast – listen here or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

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Not just for trotting over: Michael Eilberg shares his innovative use of poles

The scales of training explained for horse riders of all levels

Eilbergs break silence on Farouche’s future

A decision has been made about Woodlander Farouche's future

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In our 108th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, supported by Amerigo and their UK distributor Zebra, H&H’s Polly Bryan talks to successful British dressage rider Michael Eilberg about his return to international competition and his exciting string of horses. H&H’s Gemma Redrup and Lucy Elder catch up on the highs and lows from Luhmühlen five-star, then this week’s host Alex Robinson catches up with the H&H news editor Eleanor Jones on the recent debate around cross-country course design and qualifications, plus research into decisions around euthanasia. Finally, we’ll hear from Rick Farr from Farr & Pursey Equine about the things vets don’t learn at university and emergency call outs. We hope you’ll enjoy listening.

Episode 108 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers and currently supported by Amerigo and their UK distributor Zebra, is now live.

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• View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

In our 108th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, H&H’s Polly Bryan chats to successful British grand prix dressage rider Michael Eilberg. He talks about his return to international competition, his exciting string of horses and his training philosophy.

H&H’s Gemma Redrup is then joined by H&H’s Luhmühlen reporter Lucy Elder to chat about the German five-star, including how the British riders fared.

H&H’s Alex Robinson then catches up with H&H’s news editor Eleanor Jones to talk about the recent debate around cross-country course design and qualifications, plus research into decisions around equine euthanasia.

Finally, we hear from equine vet Rick Farr from Farr & Pursey Equine on the things you don’t learn in vet school, but probably should, and he shares a story about an emergency call out involving two horses stuck in a trailer on its side on a motorway.

• We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 108

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 106: Ros Canter | Vets and the dangers of needles | News round-up

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

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

Find out which young dressage horses took the spoils at the British Dressage Young Horse Championships at Keysoe

This year’s most exciting young dressage horses finally had their time to shine, with the Keysoe British Dressage Young Horse Championships taking place over 2-4 October.

The weekend hosted the BD finals for four-, five- and six-year-olds horses and ponies, and the inaugural BD seven-year-old championship, as well as five-, six- and seven-year-old selection trials for December’s FEI Dressage World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany.

Check out those who emerged triumphant – which would you most like to take home? And don’t miss the full report from these championships in Horse & Hound magazine (15 October issue).

MSJ Dante VX

This British-bred son of Dante Weltino was expertly ridden by British team rider Michael Eilberg to claim the brand new seven-year-old national title with 76.38%. This tall gelding was bred by Emma Blundell at Mount St John Stud and is now owned by Michael’s mother Geri and Nicky Reid.

High Hoes Estelle

This exciting British-bred mare was bred by Nicky Callam in Sussex, and despite a late start due to her tall frame, was crowned six-year-old national champion. Estelle is now jointly owned by Nicky and her rider, Dannie Morgan, who piloted the elegant Escolar x Laudabilis daughter to a winning 83%.

RSC The Ogopogo

The winner of the six-year-old pony title, 14.2hh stallion The Ogopogo, is by the Cuddy supreme in-hand champion Ceulan Calon Lan and out of Hanoverian mare Fabienne. Under Bryony Goodwin, he posted 76.2% to claim victory here by almost 10%.

Waverley Fellini

Fresh from taking the novice gold title at the rescheduled Winter Dressage Championships in August, this British-bred Fustenball x Sandro Hit gelding scored a whopping 92.6% under Greg Sims to top a massive five-year-old championship. The pair also headed the FEI five-year-old selection trial, scoring 87.2%.

Mount St John Diamonds Are Forever

It proved a very fruitful weekend for Emma Blundell’s stud, as this eye-catching Diamond Hit daughter came out on top of 38 starters to be crowned national four-year-old champion. The German-bred mare was ridden by Amy Woodhead to score 82.4% on what was only her sixth competitive start.

Godric’s Dionysus

The new four-year-old pony champion, known as Haymitch, is by Danger 36 out of Tiger Lily, and was bred by Bev and Sam Brown at Godrics Stud. He was ridden here by Elly Darling, achieving a score of 70%.

Sugarhouse Targaryen

The national five-year-old pony championship landed in the hands of Lucy Pye and this eye-catching palomino gelding. Targaryen was bred by Ruth Mealey and is by Llangwedh Sunny Jim, out of Bonita van de Rosheove.

Straight Horse De Milla

This smart six-year-old chestnut mare is owned by Denmark’s Helgstrand Dressage, and boasts impeccable breeding being by De Niro x Blue Hors Zack. Now based in Britain with Emile Faurie, and ridden by Tom Goode, she posted 88.4% to win her FEI selection trial here.

Impressive

This chestnut gelding is by Charmeur out of the Krack C mare Vechta, and certainly looks to be an exciting prospect for the future. He topped the line-up in the seven-year-old FEI class, scoring 80.31% under Sarah Millis.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

Michael Eilberg is a British dressage rider who is based in Worcestershire. He was part of the silver medal-winning team at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) riding Half Moon Delphi.

I used to be a showjumper, and didn’t take up dressage until I was about 20 or 21. One of my early riding icons was Germany’s Marcus Ehning; I really admire his riding style and the way he has his horses going, and I wanted to recreate that.

I’ve also always looked up to my dad, Ferdi, who is my trainer now. But before I switched disciplines it was actually my mum, Geri, who was a great supporter of my jumping career.

Dad and I used to clash big time – he used to make sound effects while I was jumping and I used to have to tell him to leave the arena! It wasn’t until I changed to dressage that I really came under his leadership – he always thought I was capable when it came to dressage, and he was really happy when I started succeeding in something he could be more of a part of.

But it was my mum who always taught me to believe in myself, as even when you’re doing quite well at something you still get doubts.

I certainly don’t regret my background in showjumping – it has helped me in so many ways with my riding. But I do wish I’d known earlier that I would eventually make the switch to dressage, and perhaps combined the two disciplines for a while. I could have had a head start!

Sitting pretty

I’m a great believer that the “perfect” riding position has not been created because it looks nice, but because it is the most effective. A lot of people think sitting well on a horse is about sitting pretty, and end up quite stiff in the saddle. Those riders who look particularly good on a horse sit in a way that makes them effective, and that is why they also look as though they sit well.

Recently, I’ve become more aware of my wrists in my own training – I tend to collapse them; it’s an old habit from my jumping days. In working to get my left wrist straighter, I’ve noticed that the side a rider carries their excess rein on can have an influence on their wrist position – those whose reins fall to the left of the horse’s neck often have a bent right wrist, and vice versa.

So now, I try to alternate the sides my reins fall on, and sometimes I loop them so they fall across both sides evenly.

Another thing I’ve recently changed at home is that I have started to introduce more standing while schooling. When I gave my horses a break before I would always walk them, and they wouldn’t really stand still apart from at the start and the end of a session. But now when I give them a rest partway through, sometimes I’ll walk and sometimes I’ll just stand still.

It’s really helping one of my younger horses, Dante, who is a bit nervous and used to grind his teeth when he got uptight. Now he has got into the habit of standing more, he doesn’t do that, and I’m hoping that he will be more relaxed at shows when we start going out competing again.

“She was my learning horse”

Every time I ride, I make sure I stretch beforehand. I have recently had two hip operations, which means I don’t have to do quite as intense a session as I used to because I’m not in as much pain, but I still do stretch.

The horse I wish I had now is Half Moon Delphi. In a way she was my learning horse, and was with me during the early stages of my grand prix career. I think that if I had her now we could do even better together. She was a fantastic horse, not super-easy, but extremely talented, and I loved her natural mechanic, her power and the way she handled the top level movements.

Ref Horse & Hound; 23 July 2020

H&H’s dressage columnist shares his philosophies surrounding training and starting his young horses

Having no shows over the past few months has taken some pressure off and allowed me to discover a new philosophy in training. Putting competition dates in the diary creates a deadline, and with it an element of subconscious stress, and many of us find that we want to practise all the time.

But I have found that when it comes to teaching new things, horses don’t always have to actually achieve the task in hand to make progress – they can benefit by simply giving something a go.

Previously, I would be reluctant to end a training session until a horse has at least understood a certain concept, for example, flying changes, and made some concrete progress.

More recently, I have realised that if I try a flying change in training and nothing happens, even if I leave it and do something else for the remainder of the session, the next time I come back to changes with that horse, they have a greater understanding of what I am asking.

It was actually working out myself in the gym that helped me understand this principle. My wife Maya does CrossFit, and was doing a set of “kipping” pull-ups, where you use your own momentum to create speed in the movement.

I thought it looked quite easy, and gave it a go, but ended up just swinging around a lot on the bar, probably looking like I was having some sort of spasm. I was determined to crack it, and spent a long time that night trying, eventually making myself quite sore but not achieving much.

But when I came back to it a couple of days later, straight away I had a better concept of what I needed to do; I improved right from the beginning of the second session, because my body and mind had had time to process what I had spent so long trying to learn the first time.

It’s the same with horses – they need time to process the concept of something new or challenging, and pushing too much in the first session simply creates tension, which actually blocks them from being able to achieve it.

How many times have we given a horse time off for whatever reason, and when we get back on, found they are suddenly much better at something with which they were previously struggling?

It’s so important not to be too deadline-focused when training, but to give the horse time to process what it is that you are asking of them.

Patience pays

We have also established a slightly different system for backing our youngsters. We spend more time working with them on the ground, and backing them in the stable, where they are more relaxed compared with being taken to the indoor school away from all their friends.

We also start off without a saddle – very often when being backed, the horse ends up reacting to both the rider and the tack, and developing problems with the saddle. By getting them used to the two separately we are encountering fewer issues with horses being cold-backed.

This method also means less lungeing during the early stages – lungeing has its place in training but it is not always great for the very young horses to spend lots of time on a circle.

I am certainly finding that being patient in the first instance creates a route to more success down the line.

Up and coming

When it comes to the older horses, I have three coming through the ranks that I’m really excited about, including Dante VX, a seven-year old by Dante Weltino who has a lot of talent for the grand prix work. We’re working on cracking his passage at the moment, but when he gets that he will go into a whole other gear; he has a super natural mechanic in all three paces, and amazing talent for piaffe.

Then there’s Distinction MSJ, a Dimaggio seven-year-old who’s approaching prix st georges level, and a Fidertanz eight-year-old called Figlio. He used to be quite naughty and was a bit of a project, but is coming along really well now.

I also have 10-year-old Daltrey, who is ready to go grand prix. He is a lovely guy – maybe not a horse who will go on to win medals, but a super character. I can’t wait for those others to come up the levels – they have the calibre to get to the very top.

Ref Horse & Hound; 9 July 2020

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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

Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle took another decisive leap towards World Equestrian Games team selection with an international grand prix personal best at Bolesworth International Horse Show.

Charlotte and Emma Blundell’s nine-year-old Fidermark mare scored just a fraction under 80%, claiming victory on 79.65% ahead of Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato.

Just a missed one-time change marred an otherwise delightful test from Freestyle, who produced her most confident grand prix performance to date.

“I can’t believe I missed the 80% by just 0.5%,” exclaimed Charlotte afterwards. “As I was riding the ones I was thinking that they felt great and so off the floor, then straight away had the mistake. But there’s so many more marks in there; she’s such a trier. Whatever arena I take her into I know she’ll perform.”

It proved a day of personal bests, with Carl and the ever-improving Diamond Hit son Delicato also banking an international personal best of 77.22% for second. In third was Gareth Hughes, who produced a classy test on the 12-year-old Trento B mare Classic Briolinca. He completed a trio of British personal bests, with 74.44%.

Charlotte continued her tally of wins with the inter I freestyle victory, scoring a whopping 80.28% to finish well ahead of the chasing pack on her own and Paul and Wendy Dockley’s dainty eight-year-old grey mare Florentina (Flora, Vivaldi x Rubels).

Michael Eilberg claimed second, with 73.48% on Daltrey, while Jacqueline Wing Ying Siu slotted into third for Hong Kong with Jockey Club Fuerst On Tour.

It was Charlotte and Flora’s second small tour victory in five days, having arrived at Bolesworth fresh from their prix st georges (PSG) win at Wellington Premier League on Saturday night, and also topping the Bolesworth PSG on Tuesday.

“I’ve lacked ring experience with her – we’ve done lots of training at home and very little competing, so I’ve wanted to get her out and work on the ringcraft with her,” said Charlotte, who also won the six-and seven-year-old classes earlier in the day with Hawtins San Floriana and River Rise Nisa respectively.

Don’t miss our full report from Bolesworth in the next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out on 21 June.

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 double world young horse champion Woodlander Farouche is to be retired from competition for the foreseeable future.

The 12-year-old Fürst Heinrich x Dimaggio mare, who was bred by Lynne Crowden and is owned by the Eilbergs and John and Ali Walton, will instead focus on her breeding career after sustaining an injury in 2016, when on the brink of grand prix.

“We are going to stop trying to bring Farouche back into work, and focus on embryos with her,” Michael confirmed to H&H. “We have invested a lot of time and money into our youngstock and we want her to be a part of that breeding programme.”

Farouche topped the World Breeding Dressage Championships as a five- and six-year-old and went on to excel at small tour with Michael, until suffering a severe fetlock sprain just after her double small tour victory in a strong field at Aachen in July 2016.

“She had time off and we nursed it back to health, but the problem is that she seems unable to sustain harder work on it now. If I work her lightly she’s OK, but the minute I step it up a notch she goes sore again,” Michael told H&H.

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Farouche bred two successful embryo transfer foals before her competition career escalated — Walk On The Wild Side and the approved stallion Wild Child — but struggled to produce embryos while in full work.

“When she’s in work, she doesn’t seem to want to be a mummy,” said Michael. “I also felt she used to switch off a bit when we were doing embryo work with her, and wasn’t as nice to ride — we always said we would stop with the embryos once she started the serious work. However, since she’s been off we’ve done really well with embryos from her — we had a foal from her last year and have another on the way this year — so it makes sense to pursue that now.”

Michael has not ruled out bringing Farouche back into work at a later stage, though acknowledges that it will be difficult as she gets older. He is also keen to see her carry her own foal at some point.

Michael still has a number of exciting competition prospects, including the eight-year-old Daltrey, currently competing successfully at small tour, and several younger horses coming up through the ranks, such as MSJ Dante and Mount St John Valencia, though is currently without a grand prix ride.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Don’t miss this week’s issue for our special report from the British Dressage Winter Championships, plus full analysis from the Grand National — including expert comment, pictures and more. Read our report from the dressage and showjumping World Cup finals, and in this week’s ‘vet clinic’ we discuss the facts about fitness.

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

If you ask any professional rider how they like their competition horses, “quite hot” will often be the reply.

They want their equines to have the power and the will to perform. Consequently, horses are being bred to be physically imposing with expressive movement.

This has resulted in a trend for anyone who wants to make it — whether at the prelim restricted regionals or Rio 2016 — to acquire a “hot” horse.

Even amateur riders are now convinced this is the way forward, until they realise they can’t go out and win a prix st georges (PSG) by the end of the season on their wunderbeast.

So how do you cope when you find yourself sitting on more than you bargained for? Top dressage rider Michael Eilberg shares his top tips:

• Be sure the horse is merely showing excess energy or power, rather than reacting to pain — have his back, teeth and tack checked first
• Talk to a dietician about keeping weight on and providing nutrients without building excessive energy
• Turn him out in a safe environment whenever possible
• If you ever feel out of your depth, enlist the help of an able professional
• Don’t be greedy — it’s better to take your time and not compete for three years than rush out and ruin your confidence and the horse’s
• Be patient — if you only walk in a session because he is too excited to trot and canter, that’s fine
• Give a goey horses plenty of walk breaks, but keep a contact and ride shapes to keep them thinking
• Make your aids black and white and the horse will learn quickly. If an animal knows how they should react to a command, they will be more relaxed about it
• A useful exercise is riding a square. The horse must come back to the rider to collect for the square’s corners. Give and retake the reins in the corners — you don’t want a hot horse powering round corners or cutting them
• To develop strength and confidence in canter, the horse needs to spend time lots of time cantering. Start on a small circle so as not to give the horse the opportunity to become too onward bound. Slowly make the circle bigger, giving and retaking the rein occasionally to establish you have control. Only then go large and, if the horse begins to take over, circle to regain control — don’t haul on the reins and potentially get into a fight

First published: 12 April 2013.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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

Michael Eilberg has paid tribute to the “amazing” grand prix mare Half Moon Dynasty.

The talented thirteen-year-old owned by Jon and Julie Deverill was put down six weeks after a serious accident out hacking.

“Mollie” spooked and bolted through multiple fences, suffering severe injuries to her legs in the process.

It was touch and go whether she would survive, but Michael and his team worked tirelessly to nurse Mollie back to health.

She had shown signs of improvement, but her health suddenly deteriorated and Michael and the Deverills were left facing a tough decision.

“I went up in the morning and she was on three legs,” Michael told H&H.

“She got an infection in the carpal sheath and it was quite severe. It was in the leg that we were worried about at the very beginning.

“She had seemed to be coping ok, but every now and then she would get a little funny on that leg — I thought it was due to her having such a large amount of skin missing, an awful lot of bruising and the wound being sore and tight and catching her, but it had progressed to being incredibly painful.

“Her owner and I thought it was the best decision to let her go. We had to weigh up how much we were willing to put her through. It was sensible but gut wrenching.

“It was so sudden — we had her at grass at 7pm the night before.”

Everyone’s favourite

Michael reflected on his time with the special mare, whom he had had for six years.

“I’ve been looking back on things we did and pictures I found of her,” he said. “I was surprised how much she had done.

“She won a medium competition with me at the nationals, an advanced medium, the Mount St John at HOYS, the super flex [intermediate I music freestyle] at the winters, at Saumur in two a and b classes, an intermediate II at the nationals, and had started grand prix stuff.

“She was a lovely mare. She wasn’t easy, she wasn’t a super traveller, but was a lovely person.

“She’s been an amazing horse. She was everyone’s favourite and our show groom loved her to bits.”

Michael said he had two particularly special memories of Mollie.

“I’ll always remember inter I freestyle at the winters,” he said. “She was absolutely amazing there. Probably the best she felt in the ring. She won it by a long way.

“It was the first time I rode her through a freestyle and she was just brilliant.

“The other that is really sad was the last time at Somerford where she scored over 70%.

“We had really made a leap. I felt like I was really going where I wanted to.

“Stephen Clarke was judging and said it was very exciting to see what she could do.

“That’s what made it so devastating because we’d been on such journey — getting her to grand prix and having her working right at the end the way she was.

“To have it end so abruptly was devastating.

“It’s sad for everyone involved – Jon and Julie sold Maggie [Half Moon Delphi — Mollie’s half sister] to the US. We put all our hopes and dreams into Mollie there have been plenty of chances to sell her.

“Lots of things have been a challenge this year – I’m trying to put my focus on rebuilding

“Life has to go on, we have to move on and find joy in other things.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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

Michael Eilberg’s grand prix-winning dressage mare Half Moon Dynasty has returned home to continue her recovery after a serious accident.

“Mollie” sustained multiple injuries after spooking and bolting on a hack and has been receiving treatment at Three Counties Equine Hospital.

Michael shared the news that the mare was home on social media last week (24 June) with photos and a video clip of her tucking into some grass and hay.

“We are very happy to have her back in her own stable and doing as well as she is,” he told H&H.

“Things look quite good considering where we were three weeks ago.”

He added that he did not want to tempt fate, but her wounds are “healing well”.

“They are going to take a while to heal but they are looking good, as wounds go,” he said.

“Her immune system is dealing really well with everything and keeping infection at bay.”

He added it will take time for the wounds to heal but he and his team are all “very hopeful”.

The 13-year-old mare, by Dimaggio, was out hacking on 31 May when she was frightened by a calf, spun round and became caught in a fence.

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‘I’m sure it has something to do with

Greg Sims, who was riding her at the time, fell but fortunately escaped serious injury. However Mollie panicked, ran through several fences and came down after trying to jump a hedge with a 10ft drop on to a road.

She was rescued and taken to the vet clinic, where she has been recovering.

“She has been very unlucky and very lucky all at the same time,” added Michael.

“Everybody did an amazing job there that day and they have taken good care of her at Three Counties.”

He explained that the deeper cuts have missed all of her joints and is moving around comfortably in the stable and when she is led out to enjoy her grass.

Michael took the inter II national title with Mollie in 2015 and the pair have also enjoyed success on the international circuit.

The combination’s most recent outing was at Somerford Park Premier League, where they came third in the grand prix with a score of 71.2% and second in the special on 71.31%.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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Michael Eilberg’s Half Moon Dynasty is “looking much more comfortable” following her serious accident last week (31 May).

Michael shared an update on grand prix mare “Mollie” yesterday (4 June), and said the team was “so happy” with her progress.

Mollie has been left with multiple wounds after spooking and bolting on a hack. She went through several fences and a hedge before her injuries forced her to stop.

She was taken to Three Counties Equine Hospital for treatment.

“As there has been such amazing support and concern for Mollie after her accident I thought we would give everybody an update,” read a post on Michael’s Facebook page. “We went to visit her this morning and were so happy to see her looking much more comfortable. She had her dressings changed and the wounds are plentiful but looking better then expected. She also walked out amazingly well after the last time we saw her she could barely get one leg in front of the other.

“We are not wanting to get ahead of ourselves as there is a long way to go but it was hard not to come away today thinking more positive about the whole situation. We are all very touched by everybody’s messages and thanks again. I’m sure it has something to do with all the get well vibes going Mollie’s way.”

Continued below…

Michael Eilberg’s grand prix mare recovering from nightmare ordeal

'When I saw she had tried to jump

‘I tried to stop it’: British rider loses two top horses worth €3million

The rider was unable to sell the pair

6 mesmerising facts about Michael Eilberg

In a one-to-one interview with the newly appointed

The previous day, Michael said he was “overwhelmed” with the messages of support for Mollie.

Mollie was being ridden by Greg Sims when the accident took place. Greg was not seriously injured in the fall.

With the help of Michael’s vet Mollie was put under anaesthetic and taken to the equine hospital.

She eventually stood with the help of a hoist and within half an hour of standing she was able to hold her weight unaided.

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Michael Eilberg’s grand prix mare Half Moon Dynasty is recovering after a terrifying hacking accident.

“Mollie” was being ridden by Greg Sims on Wednesday (31 May), when she was spooked by a calf, spun round and became caught in a fence.

“It was a bit of an ordeal,” Michael told H&H. “All her life she has hacked down there, but it was just one of those things and she took fright.

“She panicked and whipped round, putting her foot into the fence that was next to her. She then panicked even more and jumped into the fence rather than pulling back.

“She then proceeded to go on a warpath with Greg still on, which was terrifying. She was so badly tangled that she fell over and Greg fell off her at that point, I think that was a bit of a blessing in disguise.”

Greg escaped without serious injuries and Mollie managed to extract herself from the fence and return to her feet before bolting away.

“She went through another couple of fences and eventually she ran into a field that had a hedge along it,” said Michael. “On one side it doesn’t look too bad, so you can see why she thought she could take it on, but on the other side it’s a 10ft drop on to the road.

“When I saw she had tried to jump that, I thought I would find her in a heap on the other side, and I pretty much did a little bit further down. I don’t know how she got over that fence.

“We thought she had broken her legs because she was showing signs of not being able to stand. It was so horrible — she tried getting up and panicked and almost fell back in the ditch.”

Michael’s vet arrived and his neighbours helped put bales of straw in the ditch to protect Mollie from further injuries.

“We had to assess the damage, the vet said it looked very likely she had broken her leg,” said Michael. “We were faced with the decision of putting her down there and then which was very difficult.

“It would have been the easy decision but it it wasn’t one we wanted to make until we had evidence she was damaged beyond repair.”

Mollie was given a general anaesthetic, put in a trailer and taken to Three Counties Equine Hospital.

She was sedated again to be taken off the trailer and put in a padded stable to come round.

“Then we had the problem that she had been down for so long,” said Michael. “When they are down for so long things start to get risky and she had been down for five hours.

“Everyone there was great, but it was a very nerve-wracking time waiting for her to get up. I was saying ‘in the next half hour that’s probably going to be it’.

“It was five minutes from when basically her time was up that she had one last effort and got up. It was a bit of a miracle.

“It was like a football match; we were all cheering for her.”

A hoist was put on Mollie to help her regain her balance and within half an hour she was standing unassisted. She then was able to walk out to a stable.

Continued below

‘I tried to stop it’: British rider loses two top horses worth €3million

The rider was unable to sell the pair

6 mesmerising facts about Michael Eilberg

In a one-to-one interview with the newly appointed

Michael Eilberg’s top ride Half Moon Delphi sold to America

Half Moon Delphi has been sold to American

She is now at the clinic recovering from wounds sustained from the fences and in the fall.

“We don’t know the extent of her injuries just yet,” added Michael. “It does sound quite positive — her wounds will take a long time to heal but it looks like they’ve missed the joints.

“It’s been a bit of a shit year [Michael lost the ride on two of his top horses in April] and bad timing after Mollie had gone so well at Somerford, getting two plus 70% scores in the grand prix and the grand prix special.”

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Woodlander Dornroschen, the dressage mare long-listed for the Rio 2016 Olympics with Michael Eilberg, has retired from competition to her owner Lynne Crowden’s Woodlander Stud in Northampton. She will now be used exclusively for breeding.

As well as being an elite competitor at international grand prix, Dornroschen (by Dimaggio) is also the dam of the double world young horse champion Woodlander Farouche (by Fürst Heinrich). “Rosie” won the Horse & Hound outstanding mare award in January 2014.

Michael, a former showjumper, has had the mare in training for a decade, and built an exceptional relationship with the 15-year-old British Hanoverian, who was bred by Karin Hoerner.

At a recent demo at Moulton College, the emotion of riding her for the final time got the better of Michael.

“I did have a moment,” he told H&H. “I took Rosie along and someone asked about her story. I was telling it and just about to say, ‘And this is probably the last time I’ll ride her’, but as I went to say it I got a lump in my throat and I couldn’t talk. I had to turn around and slap myself in the face before I was able to speak again. It was terrible.”

The journey the two have taken is impressive.

“She was really my first dressage horse and we learned things together,” explained Michael. “She wasn’t the easiest to start and took some time to get sensible and strong. The first time I sat on her, the rein snapped and I ended up on the floor.

“When she was young she’d put her head between her knees and bronc like a good un’. But the fascinating thing about her was that she had two sides: she has a massive personality with a strong attitude and presence, but on the other side she was incredibly delicate and fragile.

“We found a great relationship where earning her respect through her strong side meant I could influence her when she was fragile and she’d look to me for support.”

‘It’s a lot of responsibilty’

Lynne bought Rosie from Brightwells sale and remembers how she was captivated by her beautiful, seahorse head.

“I fell in love with her at the auction, and it’s been such a fantastic journey that she’s initiated,” Lynne told H&H. “It’s a delight to have her home — and a lot of responsibility to have back a horse that’s been in training.

“Carsten [Sandrock, Woodlander Stud’s rider] will ride her as it will be better for her to be ridden a bit but she won’t be competed. I’ve had enquiries, but I don’t want her to go anywhere else.

“She’s now in the mare barn with 23 other mare boxes and she’s settled straight away. Now we are thinking about which stallions to use on her this season for embryo transfer [ET]. Our own Double Bubble, by Don Frederic x Rousseau, is a definite, but we haven’t finally chosen the others yet, though Quantensprung has really impressed me. His offspring were amazing at the Hanoverian licensing.”

Other than Woodlander Farouche — whom Rosie carried herself — the rest of her offspring have all been via ET.

Her son Franz Ferdinand is a licensed stallion standing in Germany, and is full-brother to Farouche. Another licensed son is Freddie M (by For Compliment).

Related articles:

• Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche score six nines on way to another Aachen win
• Ferdi and Michael Eilberg: 7 training tips sure to improve your horse’s performance
• 11 things you (probably) didn’t know about Woodlander Farouche

The Eilbergs own Rosie’s full-brother MSJ Distinction, a rising four-year-old by Dimaggio out of Claire. Now 22, Claire is still being used for breeding via ET by Newton Stud in Devon, and is expecting a Quantensprung foal this spring.

Michael describes Distinction as “a cheeky boy. He’s definitely got his sister’s bronc in him, but he’s only a baby so you’d sort of expect it at this stage. He’s absolutely stunning and such a looker. It’s like ‘I’m so sexy’ is playing through his head all the time. We’re keeping him entire for now, but we’ll see how things go.”

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Top British dressage rider, Michael Eilberg, explains the three steps he works through when teaching any horse to rein back

Take your horse in hand on the left rein on the long side of the arena. Firstly achieve a square halt. Then give a little feel on the reins and see how your horse reacts first of all. You are looking for your horse to walk forwards in a four-beat rhythm and to rein back in a two-beat rhythm, their legs moving in diagonal pairs.

If your horse doesn’t quite know what you are asking for, then carry out the exercise from the ground as described above, but touch your horse on their shoulder with the handle of your schooling whip as you ask them to move back. Remember to praise your horse when you get a positive reaction.

Next, once mounted on your horse, with a person who knows what they are doing on the ground, ask your horse to walk forwards and then into a square, established halt.

Then, with the aid of your helper on the ground with the schooling whip, ask your horse to move backwards. You want just four or five steps before asking them to walk forward again.

Next, with the helper just walking towards the horse, not using the whip, ask for the rein-back with your aids.

The third stage of the rein-back is to ask for it using no additional help from the ground. Essentially you want some activity from your horse within the rein-back.

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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

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Britain’s Michael Eilberg put in a great performance with his father Ferdi’s Marakov today (Sunday, 17 July) to finish seventh in the grand prix freestyle in Aachen.

Michael Eilberg was “absolutely thrilled” with the horse and the pair scored 77%.

“To finish the show off like that is fantastic,” he said. “That last test is an effort for the horse after the grand prix and the special.”

The only slight glitch in the test was the 16-year-old not really halting at the start of the test.

“I was hoping to go round the other side of the arena away from the camera when I came in, so that he’d be less stressed and stand better, but they rang the bell quite quickly and I didn’t have time,” he explained.

Fellow Brit Emile Faurie scored 73.175% on Ulli and Bianca Kasselmann’s Weekend Fun, who is a new ride for him.

“I couldn’t have asked for more,” he said. “I’m delighted. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

The mark might have been slightly higher, but the horse seemed to catch a fly in his ear at the start of the trot half-pass left and twitched a couple of times, resulting in three 6.5s for that movement.

“I kept trying to look to see what it was, but halfway through it came right again,” said Emile.

Desperados on form again

The Germans took the top three places again today.

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe repeated her win in yesterday’s special with a brilliant test on Desperados FRH for 88.825%.

Isabell Werth — the winner on Thursday and third yesterday — was back up to second today. She had a glitch when Weihegold OLD broke in the extended trot, but finished on 86.95%.

Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH were just behind on 86.925%.

Spain’s Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez managed to move up to fourth after sixth in the special and grand prix. His freestyle on Lorenzo ended on a crowd pleaser — he rode his final centreline with one hand and the vocals: “It’s my life and it’s now or never” from the Bon Jovi song, with the spectators clapping along.

Full report of Aachen in H&H next week, out Thursday, 21 July.

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British stars Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche did the double in Aachen last night (Saturday, 16 July) when they added intermediaire I victory to their win in Wednesday’s prix st georges.

The 10-year-old mare scored 76.632%, with all five judges placing her first.

“It’s quite an atmosphere in there,” said Michael. “She was less nervous at the start than on Wednesday, but became more excited at the end.

“She was slightly short behind in the one of the two-time changes — the second from last — which was really annoying, but her rhythm and balance in the trotwork shoulder-in and circles are second to none.”

Two judges gave Farouche six for the two-time changes, with the others awarding 6.5, seven and 8.5.

Michael’s father Ferdi commented how impressive it is for Farouche to cope with the packed crowd in the Deutsche Bank Stadium, which was full for the class. The audience are close to the arena and extremely knowledgeable, with gasps accompanying any mistake.

“Horses feel that vibe,” he said.

Michael and Farouche scored six nines last night — two for extended trot, one for an 8m circle, one for extended canter, one for paces and Michael’s riding.

Farouche (Furst Heinrich x Dimaggio) was bred by Lynne Crowden of Woodlander Stud and belongs to the Eilbergs and Alison Walton.

The runner-up was the last into the arena, Germany’s Hubertus Schmidt on the seven-year-old stallion Escolar, by Estobar NRW. They scored 73.421%. Yesterday, Hubertus was named the travelling reserve for the German dressage team for the Rio Olympics.

The home side’s Helen Langehanenberg took third on Suppenkasper (73.079%). He is an eight-year-old by Spielberg.

Michael was also best of the Brits in the CDIO5* grand prix special yesterday with Marakov. He rides again in the freestyle this morning, as does fellow Brit Emile Faurie on Weekend Fun.

Full report of Aachen in H&H this week, out Thursday, 21 August.

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Germany confirmed their win in the Lambertz dressage Nations Cup in Aachen today (Saturday, 16 July), with their top three riders again scoring over 80% in the special after achieving that feat in the grand prix on Thursday.

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe on Desperados FRH led the charge this time with 83.725%, despite an extra flying change just before the first halt.

“Obviously I had a big mistake early on, but I had a great feeling in the piaffe and passage and in my hand,” she said.

Dorothee Schneider took second on Showtime FRH, scoring 81.902%.

“It’s the first time he’s been in such a big arena and he did a good job,” she said. “We messed up our one-time flying changes, but I’m very happy with him.”

Thursday’s winner, Isabell Werth with Weihegold OLD, did not have quite such a great ride this time, but still clocked in 80.686% for third.

Fourth team member Sönke Rothenberger was fifth again on Cosmo 59 (76.412%) and the Germans confirmed after the class that their Rio team will be the same horses and riders as they fielded in Aachen.

The USA’s Steffen Peters repeated his fourth place on Legolas 92. The USA finished second with Denmark third.

Two Brits will ride to music

Britain finished in sixth place and two riders, Michael Eilberg and Emile Faurie, have qualified for tomorrow’s freestyle.

Michael was the best performer today on his father Ferdi’s Marakov. They were 12th on 72.216%.

“He rode a blinder of a test,” said chef d’equipe Richard Waygood.

Emile landed 20th with 69.843% on Ulli and Bianca Kasselmann’s Weekend Fun, a new ride for him who excelled for ninth in the grand prix on Thursday.

Daniel Watson was 26th on 66.588% on Nicola Naylor’s Amadeus, who has shown a lot of potential here in Aachen, with Sarah Millis just one place behind on her own and Katja Kuistilla’s Hofjuwel (65.784%).

Full report of Aachen in next week’s H&H, out Thursday, 21 July.

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Emile Faurie finished ninth in the grand prix today (Thursday, 14 July) in Aachen on a new ride he has only competed twice before. Emile and Weekend Fun scored 72.886%.

“I’m chuffed to bits,” said Emile, who has been riding the 15-year-old for Ulli and Bianca Kasselmann of PSI since February. “He can be a hot head and a bit of a goer, but I felt he stayed with me.”

Michael Eilberg scored 72% for individual 14th on his father Ferdi’s 16-year-old Marakov, a member of last year’s British silver medal-winning European team here.

“It was a clean test and in the 70s so I’m well happy,” he said. “He gets spooky and nervous but once he’s between the boards he feels more secure — he trusts that because he knows that.”

The British team lie in sixth in the Nations Cup ahead of Saturday’s special, with Daniel Watson and Sarah Millis pleased with their inexpereinced horses despite lower placings — Daniel was 31st and Sarah 38th.

The first Brit into the arena, Daniel was “over the moon” with Nicola Naylor’s 11-year-old Amadeus, who is only in his second year at grand prix and scored 66.886%.

“For his stage in training I’m happy he went in there and did that — he’s not experienced and hasn’t done much, so to go in an atmosphere like that is a massive thing for him,” he said.

Sarah received 64.229% for her test on her own and Katja Kuistilla’s Hofjuwel, another 11-year-old, who did his first international grand prix in March.

“In some ways I’m pleased — he coped well in that atmosphere, which is quite new to the pair of us,” she said. “We had two big mistakes and I have to find a route to maintaining the connection all the way through the test and getting the bigger marks.”

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds is in Aachen for a final run before the Rio Olympics with her parents Joe and Kathleen’s Vancouver K. She had a slightly tricky time going into the arena when she had to walk to avoid the previous competitor, the USA’s Shelly Francis on Doktor, and then the hot Jazz son nearly decided to leave the arena following Shelly. But she still scored 72.714%.

“We made two mistakes but I was pleased with the test and to get 72% from the Olympic judges on not a good day for us,” she said.

Germans dominate

The German team took four of the top five placings today to lead, with their top three all scoring over 80%, believed to be a first for the sport.

Isabell Werth led after a mistake-free test on Weihegold OLD (83.271%), while Kristina Bröring-Sprehe took second on 82.314% with Desperados FRH. Dorothee Schneider claimed third with 80.7% on Showtime FRH and Sönke Rothenberger landed fifth riding Cosmo 59 (75.6%). Oddly, all the Germans apart from Isabell had errors in their two-time changes.

Only Rio-bound US rider Steffen Peters could break the Germans’ run, taking fourth on Legolas 92 with 77.243%. The USA lie second in the team competition, with Denmark third.

Full report of Aachen in H&H next week, out Thursday, 21 July.

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Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche won the prix st georges in Aachen today (Wednesday, 13 July) with a score of 76.368%.

“I’d be thrilled if we come out on top — you are against the best in the world here,” said Michael after his test.

The 10-year-old mare, who is considered one of the most promising next generation British dressage team horses, was “a bit nervous” in the arena, which showed when she straddled her front legs and tossed her head in her first halt.

“She didn’t want to stop, but I tried to stay cool,” said Michael. “I had to ride it a bit carefully. When you have a first halt like that you don’t want to get on the first diagonal and give them a big kick. But I’m pleased, there were no mega whoopsies.

“That’s exactly why she’s here — to get her in the big arena and get her in that sort of atmosphere before she has to do it on the big stage.

“I worked her in that arena the other day, but it’s completely different with the people — they hear the buzz and the clapping.”

Michael said his mark was “a good score” but he thought it might be a little higher as “she felt very consistent”. There was quite a wide disparity in his points — three judges put him first, with the best percentage being 79.079% from Mexico’s Maribel Alonso at E, but Germany’s Ulrike Nivelle at M placed him second and Austria’s Thomas Lang at B had him in fourth on 73.816%.

Michael and Farouche, who was bred by Lynne Crowden of Woodlander Stud and belongs to the Eilbergs and Alison Walton, will perform again in the intermediate I on Saturday.

“I will try to get her out and about when there are things happening before then and work on some of the movements which are in that test but not in this one,” said Michael.

Michael also rides in the CDIO5* grand prix tomorrow on Marakov, with whom he was long-listed for the Rio Olympics and was on the British silver medal-winning team at the European Championships here in Aachen last year. He is joined in the British team for the Nations Cup by Daniel Watson (Amadeus), Sarah Millis (Hofjuwel) and Emile Faurie (Weekend Fun).

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Although there are no official selection trial shows for British Olympic team hopefuls, as all combinations’ schedules are individually planned and agreed, four British riders will be heading to Rotterdam CHIO in Holland (23-26 June).

This represents the last chance to impress selectors ahead of the Rio Olympic team announcement which is expected on Tuesday, 5 July.

Britain will send four riders, and three of those places look sure to go to Charlotte Dujardin (Valegro), Carl Hester (Nip Tuck) and Fiona Bigwood (Atterupgaards Orthilia), but the tussle for the fourth place is wide open.

British combinations confirmed for the Nations Cup team at Rotterdam are:

• Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, a 10-year-old mare by Trento B
• Laura Tomlinson and Rosalie B, a 10-year-old mare by Rubin Royal
• Lara Griffith and Rubin Al Asad, a 14-year-old by Rubin Royal
• Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Dornroschen, a 14-year-old mare by Dimaggio

Michael will also ride Marakov as an individual. Neither Valegro nor Nip Tuck is set to compete again (apart from Nip Tuck in the invitational class at Bolesworth) until after the team announcement. Both are entered for Hartpury CDI (6-10 July).

Rotterdam CHIO, a major date on the international dressage calendar, is a mandatory selection trial for the Dutch Olympic hopefuls as well as the US and Australia.

Edward Gal will present Glock’s Undercover in Rotterdam. The sensitive gelding has only made one appearance since he was eliminated in the grand prix special at the European Championships in Aachen last year.

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• Beginners’ guide to Olympic dressage at Rio 2016
• Video: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro on top form at Hartpury

They scored 70.22% in the grand prix — well below their usual level — at the CDI Nieuw en Sint Joosland in April. The horse was withdrawn from the remainder of the competition.

Rotterdam will be Edward’s chance to prove to selectors that the 15-year-old Ferro x Donnerhall gelding deserves a spot on the Dutch team.

Aside from the British riders in Rotterdam, other names in the shake-up for the fourth place include Spencer Wilton (Supernova), Anna Ross (Die Callas) and Hayley Watson-Greaves (Rubins Nite) as well as both Richard and Gill Davison (Bubblingh and Alfranco).

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

Fiona Bigwood made her Olympic intentions crystal clear at Saumur CDI in France (28 April-1 May) by winning both the grand prix and the grand prix special with new personal best scores.

Her 11-year old Danish-bred Atterupgaards Orthilia (by Gribaldi x Donnerschlag) posted 77.6% to top the 42-starter grand prix, with the score increasing to an emphatic 79.16% in the special.

“What a ride she [Orthilia] gave me,” said the rider from Sussex. “She was an absolute pleasure and gave me so much in the arena. I feel like I am living in a dream.”

“Anyone who works with horses knows how incredibly tough it can be. We all put in hours of work and we can have our hearts broken so quickly. We reach low points that the average person never gets to see but the highs are so amazing that they keep us going.”

Watch Fiona’s winning grand prix test here.

Fiona’s husband Anders stood second with over 73% in the special on the 12-year-old Selten HW (Sandro Hit x Hohenstein); the horse’s first run-through of this test and his international debut show at grand prix.

Michael Eilberg’s dream season continued. He bagged five wins and a second place at the show with his three rides.

Having been second to Fiona in the grand prix, he opted to ride the freestyle and duly won that with Marakov.

Their 76.05% put them more than 3% clear of second-placed Veronique Henschen from Luxembourg.

Michael had a busy week, piloting the Russian-owned nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding Sa Coeur in his international debut. The striking, big-moving bay won the prix st georges and inter I classes on his international debut, both with 74.9%.

Michael also dominated the middle tour class, topping both the inter A and inter B on the Dimaggio mare Half Moon Dynasty. The 12-year-old mare, who belongs to Jon and Julie Deverill, had not competed internationally since Hickstead in 2014 — and never before off British shores.

A number of pony riders also made the trip across the channel, with Sophie Taylor (Madam’s Miss Maria), Lara Kuropatwa (Le Chiffre), Lara Kuropatwa (Mister Snowman), Charlotte McDowall (BKS Grand Design) and Isobel Lickley (Gigolo) all posting top 10 finishes.

Related articles:

• Fiona Bigwood: What are judges looking for [H&H VIP]
• Beginners’ guide to Olympic dressage at Rio 2016
• Carl Hester believes Uthopia’s future is secure

In the junior ranks, Alexandra Hellings (Uvender V) and Bethany Rose Horobin (Cachet) posted top 10 placings, while the young rider British girls finished third in the Nations Cup.

Alex Hardwick put up storng performances in the under-25 division. She finished third in the inter II with Donauwein, then improved to second with him in the short grand prix and hit the magic 70% marker.

Her other ride, Royal Chester, improved 11% on a dismal inter II to score 69.18% in the grand prix and clinch fourth.

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

Former British team horse Half Moon Delphi scored 66.1% competing in her first grand prix with US rider Sarah Daehnert earlier this month (16 January).

The 14-year-old Hannoverian was sold by Jon and Julie Deverill to Bob Price in the USA last summer.

The grey mare had represented Britain with rider Michael Eilberg at the European Championships in Denmark in 2013 (pictured, top) and was on the silver medal-winning team at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in 2014.

She had been with Michael for five years and was his first team horse.

Delphi spent last summer with Patrik Kittel, who trains Sarah, in Germany, but has now moved Pegaso Farm South in Wellington Florida for the dressage season.

“It takes a little time, and I think by next month we will already be much further developed,” Sarah told US site PS Dressage after her first competition.

She said Delphi has “a super talent for piaffe/passge” and she enjoys her “overall fluidity.”

The mare even if she makes a mistake, always “does really well” said Sarah after her test.

The pair now need to get to know each other she admitted and concentrate on building a partnership.

Their next outing is the CDI competition on 4-7 February at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival where Sarah hopes to enter the grand prix and grand prix special.

If she does not qualify for the US team for Rio 2016, Sarah said she will compete in Europe during the summer with her trainer.

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

My Little Pony, National Velvet and Jill and her ponies all have one thing in common besides horses: girls. Where is Action Man Polo Player, or Just William Goes Hunting? Three-quarters of Britain’s riding population is female, according to the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) National Equestrian Survey 2015.

But despite pony toys being marketed towards girls and an absence of like-minded testosterone at the Pony Club rally, there is a hard core of keen boys going against the grain. They are our Brashes and Fox-Pitts of the future.

So how do parents prevent ambitious sons from fleeing a world of pink numnahs and high-pitched giggles?

1. Find the perfect pony

The pony is paramount. Sophie Funnell’s son Theo, 11, is passionate about eventing, but a few years ago lost his confidence after a few falls. “He wanted to ride but I could see he was clinging on so we stopped for a few months, then bought a lovely new pony,” says Sophie. “It makes a huge difference. We never buy expensive ponies, but they must be fun and a good match.”

2. …or the wrong pony

But other boys seem compelled by the challenge of righting a wrong pony. Eventer Bert Bolton (pictured above as a child), now 21, is now on the cusp of breaking into senior ranks with several three-star finishes under his belt, having started with some mounts that tested his tenacity. “We started with an unsuitably green, naughty Welsh pony that he fell off more than stayed on,” says his mother, Fizz, who then found a schoolmaster for a year to encourage him. “He then had the original pony back, as he was determined to prove he could ride him, which was the point at which it was clear he wasn’t going to give up. He’s had a soft spot for a quirky horse ever since.”

Continued below…

15 riders reach the point of no return

We’ve all been there — one minute you’re enjoying the ride of your life and the next you experience that

3. Give them a taste of winning

“It was all about success; winning and being competitive. As long as I was winning, then that drove me forward,” says eventer Matthew Wright. Harry Pitt, 12, is extremely competitive, which overrides any concerns about being the only boy. “He loves the thrill of tight jump-off turns,” says his mother Emma. “He’s the only boy on the [school] jumping with style team, but he’s much braver than the girls. He suffers in the style part as his toes point down, but he rides very quietly and ponies go well for him. His idol is William Fox-Pitt, and I’ll always point out to him at Badminton or Burghley that many of the top riders are men.”

4. Focus on the fun factor

While Emma believes all children need strong encouragement at first, once they’re up and running, the family has a lark. “It’s not much fun falling off, and riding is hard to start with,” Emma says. “I bribe big and hard at first: lots of sweets, then maybe £1 if they go clear. I really try to keep it fun for them. Out riding we love making courses jumping thistles and hedges. And I’m happy to clean tack as Harry hates it, but he’ll have to do something else, like unload the dishwasher.”

5. Pick the right sport

Polo is a godsend for sporty boys like Harry, who plays with the Grafton branch of the Pony Club during the summer. “It’s hard and fast, and there’s no flatwork. It’s like rugby on ponies and he just loves it,” she says. “The variety is great for boys — he’d get bored just doing one discipline.”

6. … and finally — turn the girl-boy ratio into a plus

“You’re the only boy in a girls’ world — what is better than being surrounded by loads of girls?” says dressage rider Michael Eilberg. And showjumper Tim Stockdale agrees: “Being among so many girls was certainly not a bad thing. And I had an idol — Harvey Smith.”

Read the full feature about keeping boys keen on riding in the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine (7 January 2016)

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.

Continued below…

Ferdi and Michael Eilberg: 7 training tips sure to improve your horse’s performance

Father and son dressage supremos Ferdi and Michael Eilberg share some of their performance enhancing secrets — from playing with

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.

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

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.”

Continued below…

25 signs you’re an incurable dressage diva/divo

Does seeing female competitors without hairnets make your stomach do a little flip? And is all your kit patent or

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.”

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

From having her teeth brushed every other day to making soup every day in her stable, we find out more about this world class dressage horse

1. She is multi-talented

Michael Eilberg, Farouche’s rider, jumps most of his young horses and says that Farouche has a decent jump in her. “The talent’s there and I still jump her now. I’ve jumped her about 1m – it would be silly to do too much, but she enjoys it,” he says.

“It helps with the enthusiasm and freshness; you’ve just got to be careful because the horses are not used to jumping on a regular basis. You don’t want to load their joints in a way they’re not used to.”

2. There are two sides to her personality

“She’s a little queen,” says Michael. “Put it this way, if you can’t reach to stroke her over her stable door, even with a treat, she won’t come to you. She’ll make you open the door and come right in to her.

“She has got a very cuddly, sweet side, but she’ll also make it clear when she wants to be left alone. She is similar to ride – one minute she’ll be very quiet and at ease, the next she’s a firecracker.”

3. She makes “soup” in her stable

Both Farouche and her mother, Woodlander Dornroschen (Rosie), have a dunking bucket in their stables, for their hay.

“Rouchy takes it a step further and dunks her feed as well as her hay – she makes a right mess,” says Michael.

4. Her teeth are cleaned every two days

“The dentist said she has quite a lot of decay in her teeth so we tried brushing them with a toothbrush but she didn’t like it,” says Michael. “So now she has a mouthwash syringe — she wears a mouth brace and has a slosh on each side. She loves it and it’s done wonders for her teeth.

5. She’s not quite such a queen when she sleeps

“Rouchy always sleeps with her nose in the straw, and she snores – quite loudly! I’ve got a video of it,” says Michael.

6. She loves to be clipped

“She likes the itching. It’s hard to clip her neckline actually, because she always rubs the wall with her nose so her head and neck wobbles.”

Watch Farouche’s winning test at the BD nationals

Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche cruise to victory in the inter I class, while Charlotte Dujardin tastes success as an

7. She takes after her mum

“They’re very similar, especially in the way they can switch from lamb to lioness very quickly,” says Michael. “But Rouchy has more confidence and independence than her mother – Rosie is more vulnerable and needy, and takes confidence from me.”

8. Passage hasn’t come easily to her

“The concept of passage was tricky for her, which I didn’t expect,” says Michael. “She picked up piaffe in a week but when it came to passage she didn’t understand the concept. When I said passage she thought I meant piaffe, and I couldn’t tell her off for that because piaffe is good. In the end, I had to avoid piaffe for a year.”

9. She doesn’t like puddles

“We struggle to get her through a puddle. She’ll go into water with enough persuasion, but out hacking she would rather go in the ditch then through the puddle.”

10. She has presence for a reason

Farouche stands at a lofty 17.2hh. “She always seems bigger at shows at well,” says Michael.

11. Michael has never fallen off her – yet!

Don’t miss our Horse Hero feature in the 15 October 2015 issue of Horse & Hound magazine, where we take a closer look at her conformation to find out what makes her so impressive

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

Once you have a feeling that there is a good amount of energy and impulsion within an established canter with your horse, start to ride some differences within the pace.

Use a half-halt to bring the horse backwards slightly while ensuring that the impulsion doesn’t die. Then ride your horse forwards to make a nice difference to the canter. Repeat this exercise, forwards and backwards. You should notice a development within the canter towards some collection as the horse is achieving better balance with more weight being carried into the hind leg.

Always remember that before you bring the horse back, make sure he is in front of your leg. This will ensure that you have something to take back when asking for the collection.

Don’t ask for too much in one go – three to 10 strides, depending on how established your horse is will be sufficient.

The differences within the pace will help to engage the hind leg and aid activity within the canter which is extremely important for successful collection which will be required from your horse at higher level tests.

Another good exercise to help collection of the canter is to use small circles (approximately 10m in diameter if possible). These can help to develop the horse’s balance and allows you to challenge the energy of the canter without the horse becoming too onward bound. This also helps to ‘feed’ the hind leg with energy without the horse running and to encourage the horse to sit within the collection.

Repeat this exercise on both reins to check that your horse is even.

The third exercise you can try is to use a pole in the corner of the arena to use as a guideline to encourage riding into the corners. It must be easy to ride this exercise in walk before trying it in canter.

Ride in canter onto a square, riding forwards on the sides before collecting, using the pole to take you into the corner.

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

Watch Michael Eilberg's winning inter II test on Half Moon Dynasty on the opening day of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships

Michael Eilberg rode the expressive Half Moon Dynasty to head the inter II championship on the opening day of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. The Dimaggio mare, who made her inter II debut in July this year, posted just shy of 70% to clinch the title over Pippa Hutton and Duela.

“For the past year we’ve been working on the grand prix movements and she wasn’t ready until Hartpury Premier League. She went really well there so it seemed silly not to bring her here,” said a delighted Michael.

Alice Oppenheimer set the standard high early on in the prix st georges (PSG), maintaining her 75.08% lead with Tantoni Sir Soccrates.

“It was a very long wait until the end,” said Alice, who was bubbling over with joy at this horse’s superb performance. “If someone had told me a year ago that he would come here this year and win the PSG, I wouldn’t have believed them.”

Two Keystone horses featured in the top three of the advanced medium restricted, with Sadie Smith taking the honours on the eight-year-old Keystone Dynamite, in the pair’s first year at the level.

Diane Thurman-Baker and Highcliffe Apollo – who demonstrated his eye-catching Spanish walk in the prize-giving – split Sadie and Debbie Poynter riding Keystone For Real.

Ashley Jenkins took the elementary restricted championship with the British-bred Salsa Hit, being the only combination in the class to break the 70% barrier.

“He is the smallest horse on the yard but the biggest character,” said Ashley, of the Samba Hit II six-year-old, who is the first horse he has owned.

Karen Frankum claimed the hotly contested prelim title, having only taken up affiliated dressage with Wizard VI in March this year. They posted 72.37% to pip Elijah Lovell and Sheepcote Lets Go to the top spot.

“He’s a very sensitive horse, who doesn’t like other people, and he felt very intimidated yesterday in the warm-up with the horses coming towards him. As a result we decided not to do the arena walk today and he was very relaxed in the test.

Among tomorrow’s highlights will be the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I championship, featuring Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche. See www.horseandhound.co.uk tomorrow for footage of Farouche’s test.

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

Dressage videos 27 Videos

Amy Woodhead: how to ride a canter half pass to wow the judges 02:58

Amy Woodhead: how working for Carl Hester has set her up for success 06:14

Watch Carl Hester at home: 'I can't wait to get out of bed and train horses towards grand prix' 02:31

Tales from Hartpury: the nine-year-old rising star with an Olympic dream 02:35

Winter Dressage Championships day four: one-two for Dujardin 03:43

Sophie Wells' rising star impresses on prix st georges gala night 01:22

Winter Dressage Championships day three: former runaway horse shows what she's made of for championship first-timer 03:30

Tales from Hartpury: the event horse making waves in her new career 01:56

Tales from Hartpury: Five horses and 13 tests — but did this rider remember where to go? 01:04

Tales from Hartpury: the horse with a rare skin condition that travelled in first gear for six miles 02:02

Winter Dressage Championships day two: Dujardin wants her rising star's foal for Easter 03:35

Tales from Hartpury: meet the family pony rubbing shoulders with dressage's big guns 01:08

Winter Dressage Championships day one: a shock victory and a horse defies the odds to do a double 04:43

H&H dressage editor’s Area Festival video diary: Disbelieving the results of my small and fairly average horse 05:03

Watch Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro's European freestyle dressage test 07:13

Watch Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro wow the crowds at Hartpury 09:37

Watch Charlotte Dujardin riding Valegro's freestyle on a catch ride 06:38

Ruth Edge: How to ride the perfect 10m circle 01:18

Exclusive: watch Valegro work out on a water treadmill 02:46

'Squat to exhaustion': meet Alice Oppenheimer 02:43

Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin: A bit of banter 03:15

Maria Eilberg: How to improve your horse's walk 02:03

Maria Eilberg: how to improve your horse’s trot 01:21

Michael Eilberg: How to ride a square halt 03:35

Michael Eilberg: introducing collection in canter 05:01

Michael Eilberg: teaching your horse to rein back 05:03

Watch Farouche's winning test at the BD nationals 05:44

Knowing how to ride a square halt is very important, not only to gain marks, but it is also the first and last impression the judge will get of the horse in a test.

The horse must halt straight, square and maintain his outline.

Firstly take your horse in hand with a schooling whip. Walk the horse forwards along one side of the school and then ask for the halt. If it isn’t square, touch the leg which isn’t square with the whip — you are looking for your horse to react by moving that leg forwards — ultimately a half step to bring the leg into a square halt. Repeat this exercise.

Next, mounted on your horse ask for several halts, ideally using a mirror so that you don’t have to look down at their legs every time you halt.

If your horse isn’t square, ask with your leg for the half step forwards. Remember to praise your horse with each forward step they take into the halt, even if it doesn’t end up square. Also remember to maintain the halt each time so that your horse understands immobility.

If the horse is strung out and not engaged then your halts are more likely not to be square. If your horse is engaged then it is more likely to correct itself going into the halt than once the halt has already begun.

It’s also a good idea to practice taking your hand off the rein as though you are saluting, and then replacing your hand so that the horse learns to stand still throughout this movement.

You must get a reaction when moving off from the halt and try to avoid doing all of your halts in the same place so that your horse doesn’t anticipate the movement.

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

Dressage videos 27 Videos

Amy Woodhead: how to ride a canter half pass to wow the judges 02:58

Amy Woodhead: how working for Carl Hester has set her up for success 06:14

Watch Carl Hester at home: 'I can't wait to get out of bed and train horses towards grand prix' 02:31

Tales from Hartpury: the nine-year-old rising star with an Olympic dream 02:35

Winter Dressage Championships day four: one-two for Dujardin 03:43

Sophie Wells' rising star impresses on prix st georges gala night 01:22

Winter Dressage Championships day three: former runaway horse shows what she's made of for championship first-timer 03:30

Tales from Hartpury: the event horse making waves in her new career 01:56

Tales from Hartpury: Five horses and 13 tests — but did this rider remember where to go? 01:04

Tales from Hartpury: the horse with a rare skin condition that travelled in first gear for six miles 02:02

Winter Dressage Championships day two: Dujardin wants her rising star's foal for Easter 03:35

Tales from Hartpury: meet the family pony rubbing shoulders with dressage's big guns 01:08

Winter Dressage Championships day one: a shock victory and a horse defies the odds to do a double 04:43

H&H dressage editor’s Area Festival video diary: Disbelieving the results of my small and fairly average horse 05:03

Watch Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro's European freestyle dressage test 07:13

Watch Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro wow the crowds at Hartpury 09:37

Watch Charlotte Dujardin riding Valegro's freestyle on a catch ride 06:38

Ruth Edge: How to ride the perfect 10m circle 01:18

Exclusive: watch Valegro work out on a water treadmill 02:46

'Squat to exhaustion': meet Alice Oppenheimer 02:43

Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin: A bit of banter 03:15

Maria Eilberg: How to improve your horse's walk 02:03

Maria Eilberg: how to improve your horse’s trot 01:21

Michael Eilberg: How to ride a square halt 03:35

Michael Eilberg: introducing collection in canter 05:01

Michael Eilberg: teaching your horse to rein back 05:03

Watch Farouche's winning test at the BD nationals 05:44

The drama continued to unfold at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany, today (Saturday, 15 August).

Charlotte Dujardin successfully defended her grand prix special gold medal on Valegro, posting a new Europeans record of 87.577%. However there was heartbreak for Edward Gal, who was eliminated when blood was spotted in Glock’s Undercover NOP’s mouth during their performance.

He was the second rider to crash out after Sweden’s Patrik Kittel’s mare Deja got her tongue over the bit and became upset, prompting him to retire.

Charlotte’s test, barring a tiny mistake at the end of the one-time changes, was crisp, clean and powerful; Valegro back to his best.

“It’s a great feeling that this tough crowd – the Germans – have come here and appreciated what Valegro and I have done,” said Charlotte, who picked up €18,000 for her victory.

Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe set the bar high (83.067%) with Desperados FRH, claiming silver. This is consolation for her nation as the Germans were disappointed to finish in bronze medal position in the team competition.

Her trending score never dipped below 80% throughout the well presented test on the 14-year-old black De Niro stallion.

Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud clinched the bronze medal in the special with a wonderful ride on another stallion, Glock’s Johnson. He and the imposing Johnson x Flemmingh 13-year-old added their bronze to their team gold medal earlier in the week.

They scored 79.034%. Had it not been for a mistake in the changes, they would likely have crept over the 80% mark.

Carl Hester and the 11-year-old Nip Tuck pulled off one of the few mistake-free tests of the day to finish in fifth place with 77.003%.

“Forget Valegro, Nip Tuck’s had his moment today,” he beamed. “I’m smiling from ear to ear; it’s like having a whole pack of pastels in one go. That horse has the best work ethic and always tries for me.”

Fiona Bigwood made a few mistakes on Aterrupgaards Orthilia in their special test, claiming ninth place with 74.510%. They endured the worst of the weather, which hampered Fiona’s already compromised vision, but she was delighted with her Gribaldi mare’s attitude.

Britain’s Michael Eilberg was drawn first to go initially, but after Totilas withdrew from the competition yesterday, the Norwegian Trude Hestengen went in ahead of him.

Mistakes in the one-time changes pulled the pair’s score down just below 70%, for the second time at this competition.

“It’s a good score but I’m a bit annoyed about the mistakes as the horse’s physique and way of going were really good,” he said. “Sadly problems in the one-times aren’t a new phenomenon for this horse.”

Michael, who finished in 19th place, won’t defend his British Dressage nationals champion title with Marko, but he has a number of other horse qualified for the show, including Woodlander Farouche’s dam, Woodlander Dornroschen, in the grand prix.

Charlotte, Carl and Fiona have all qualified for the individual freestyle, which takes place tomorrow (16 August) and is being shown live on the BBC.

For a full report on all the action, see Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine – a special European Dressage Championships issue packed with news, photos, analysis and comment.

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The team competition at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen today (Thursday, 13 August) went right down to the wire. Ultimately, the last competitor in the ring, Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe could not do enough to pull her team up the medal table from bronze position.

The Netherlands won gold, with the British team of Charlotte Dujardin (video interview above), Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood and Michael Eilberg claiming silver.

The pressure was on Charlotte to deliver a performance good enough to overtake the Dutch, but mistakes in the zig-zag and the one-time changes prevented that. She and Valegro still lead the individual rankings, having scored 83.029% to second-placed Edward Gal’s 82.229%. Two judges preferred Edward’s test to Charlotte’s.

Kristina and the black De Niro stallion Desperados FRH finished third individually with 79.986%.

Despite winning the class individually, Charlotte was disappointed.

“The mistakes were all my fault and I’m annoyed with myself,” said the world number one.

“The beginning felt really good, but it’s tough out there – and there aren’t many horses who haven’t made mistakes. Unfortunately mine cost us the gold, but as a team we’ve performed brilliantly.”

Edward Gal eeked every single possible mark from Glock’s Undercover (pictured below), recovering from a torrid outing in Rotterdam; their 76.6% being well below their usual scores in this test.

“He felt really really good from beginning to end,” beamed the popular Dutch rider.

“When he’s like that, I feel I can piaffe as long as I want and go in and out smoothly.”

The top 30 individuals from the grand prix qualify for the grand prix special, which means all four Brits go through, as Michael Eilberg finished in 29th. The special takes place on Saturday, with tomorrow being a rest day.

The teams finishing in fourth, fifth and sixth — Spain, Sweden and France — secured their Olympic qualification today as there were three spots up for grabs and the podium teams had all qualified before this championships.

For a full report on all the action, including the controversy surrounding Totilas’ performance, see the full report in Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 20 August.

Team medal results

Netherlands

Edward Gal 82.229%

Hans Peter Minderhoud 77.586%

Diederik van Silfhout 75.814%

Patrick van der Meer 72.4%

Great Britain

Charlotte Dujardin 83.029%

Fiona Bigwood 75.8%

Carl Hester 75.4%

Michael Eilberg 69.943%

Germany

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe 79.743%

Matthias Alexander Rath 75.971%

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl 75.2%

Isabell Werth 74.9%

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At the lunch break of the opening day’s session at the FEI European Dressage Championships (Wednesday, 12 August), Germany sit atop the leaderboard with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (pictured top) posting an unassailable 75.5% on Unee BB.

The Dutch rider Patrick van der Meer (Uzzo) lies in second with 72.4% and in third is Sweden’s Emilie Nyrerod (Miata) with 71.82%.

Four combinations have already posted plus-70% scores. Michael Eilberg and Marakov (pictured below) looked to be the fifth, but his score was revised down some time after his test to 69.94%.

The test had a few errors in it, but the final centre line picked up strong marks. They now lie in fifth.

“He found it quite daunting in that arena,” said Michael. “I had to ‘hold his hand’ through the test and the zig-zag was a mess. But he can be really spooky, so I always just have to gague how he feels and ride accordingly.

“Aachen is such a professional set-up; you really feel that you’re at a major championships.”

One member of each team has already competed. Nations traditionally put their lowest-scoring combinations first. Teams are made up of four riders but with just three counting scores, so the current placings are likely to alter as these riders may well turn out to be the drop scores tomorrow (13 August), when the team competition culminates.

Carl Hester, who has in 15 years of competing has “never had a good Aachen” has had an inauspicious start to the championships, falling off Nip Tuck this morning.

“This is my luck in Aachen: this morning I finished my training and went for a walk round the big grass field with the eventers. A waiter dropped a tray of glasses in front of us and, being a wimpy dressage horse, Nip Tuck spun round and all 18hh of him came down on top of me on the grass.

“He shocked himself so much that he didn’t even bother to run off, which is lucky as he’s a bit neurotic and we’d probably never have caught him. So I haven’t had the best start to the week.”

Another competitor having a less than ideal start was the Ukranian Alisa Kovan’ko. She and Vian Stallone were eliminated for blood during their test. The horse, a son of Emma Hindle’s Lancet, stepped on the arena board — which is a tiny angled picket fence — and cut himself just before the first piaffe. The pair completed a few more movements before the bell was rung, signalling their elimination.

Richard Davison joined the disgruntled list when his bicycle was stolen from the British team hotel. He had borrowed it from his son to cycle daily to a nearby yard to ride his grand prix horse Bubblingh and a youngster whom he has brought over to train during the championships.

Click here for full grand prix results.

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Following the announcement of the British squad for the Longines FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany (12-16 August), we bring you all of the facts and figures about the four selected horses and riders.

Meet the British dressage squad for the Europeans

Fiona Bigwood

Age: 39

From: Horsham, West Sussex

Horse: 10-year-old Atterupgaards Orthilia (Tillie)

Owner: Penny Bigwood

Previous success: Dressage rider Fiona Bigwood first represented Britain at the 1993 Junior European Championships. In 1996 21-year-old Fiona was the youngest British rider to be selected for a senior European Championships with Dance & Fly. In 2014, a freak schooling fall left Fiona with serious visual impairment and she still has double vision and has to ride with an eye patch. Tillie is in her first year of grand prix, but has impressed judges and selectors enough to get the call-up.

What you might not know: Fiona’s husband, Anders Dahl, is also a top dressage rider who represents Denmark.

Her reaction to selection: “Tillie is the horse of a lifetime; she’s a dream horse. She has everything; the temperament, movement and ability so it’s up to me as a rider now to produce her in the ring.”

Charlotte Dujardin

Age: 30

From: Newent, Gloucestershire

Horse: 13-year-old Valegro (Blueberry)

Owner: Roly Luard, Anne Barrott and Carl Hester

Previous success: The reigning Olympic, World and European Champion, Charlotte requires no introduction. The Sunday Times and Sky Sports 2014 Sportwoman of the Year also holds all three world records for dressage which were all achieved with Valegro.

What you might not know: Charlotte’s riding career began in the show ring, but after she first went to Carl Hester’s yard for lessons and yard work in 2007, she never left.

Her reaction to selection: “He’s [Valegro] in great form as ever and we’re looking forward to defending our European titles but are fully aware of how strong some of the other nations and individuals are – we’re definitely not going to have it our own way!”

Michael Eilberg

Age: 28

From: Redditch, Worcestershire

Horse: 15-year-old Marakov (Marko)

Owner: Ferdi Eilberg

Previous success: Michael was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2013 European Championships and the silver medal-winning team at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2014 riding the recently sold Half Moon Delphi. Michael will ride his father’s Marakov at this year’s Europeans, with whom he has enjoyed success earlier this year on the Sunshine Tour.

What you might not know: Michael origianlly pursued a showjumping career and upon leaving school went to work for Tim Stockdale.

His reaction to selection: “He [Marakov] pretty much made his debut into dressage with me, and he was my first dressage horse; I’m teaching him a lot and he’s teaching me. I’m very chuffed that we’re on the team.”

Carl Hester

Age: 48

From: Newent, Gloucestershire

Horse: 11-year-old Nip Tuck (Barney)

Owner: Jane de la Mere and rider

Previous success: Carl received his first team call-up at the 1990 senior European Championships. Since then, Carl has been a stalwart of the British team and instrumental in its meteroic rise and success. He has won eight medals over the years and of course is the man behind Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

What you might not know: Carl first learnt to ride in Sark, where he brought up, before eventually working for Laura Tomlinson’s father, Dr Bechtolsheimer who gave Carl his first big break.

His reaction to selection:

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The FEI has responded to suggestions that dressage needs a judging overhaul by saying it is frustrated the system being promoted by the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) has not yet been fully submitted.

The FEI reacted to the article in H&H, reporting that pressure on the body to re-evaluate the judging system is mounting.

Judging is a topic that has been a focus of riders’ minds of late — at Rotterdam, Spencer Wilton received scores varying from 65% to 73% for his grand prix aboard Numberto.

“We know that today’s judging system has potential for improvement, and we are open to evaluating all proposals. There is no doubt that we all want a system that is easy to understand and which prevents big differences. These make people sceptical about our sport,” said Trond Asmyr, FEI dressage and para- equestrian dressage director.

“We know that judges are doing their best to give the correct marks. The reason why we have judges sitting around the arena is that the execution of the movements looks different from different angles,” added Mr Asmyr.

“Because of this, the ‘correct’ solution is not to have exactly the same marks from all the judges, but the average of marks should give a correct total result.”

As well as education — for which future “e-learning solutions” are in the pipeline to help the training of judges — the FEI says it has introduced a number of elements to “avoid big differences”.

Mr Asmyr added: “The judges’ supervisory panel [JSP] is there as a safety net to correct marks if a judge has not seen technical mistakes or counting errors. As of this year, the responsibility of the JSP has been widened, so that if one judge’s results are markedly different from the rest of the ground jury, the results of this judge may be changed. This is especially important in cases such as at the 2013 European Championships [where one judge scored Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi 6% lower than the others in the grand prix].”

The IDRC believes the solution is an evaluation matrix based on a code of points, similar to that used in other artistic sports such as gymnastics and figure skating. This solution has been supported by Spencer Wilton who said it would “bring more structure to the marking” in his recent H&H comment.

However, the FEI said it is frustrated the document has not yet been submitted.

“The FEI has repeatedly asked for a description of the system, so that we can start evaluating it. We have been told that it is not sufficiently developed yet,” added Mr Asmyr.

“Therefore the FEI finds it difficult to understand how the IDRC can have such a clear conviction that this is the mantra for the future. The overall idea is interesting, but how will it work in practice? It is easy to talk positively about a system if you don’t need to evaluate it from all sides. It is frustrating that the IDRC has so far not provided the FEI with the system, especially when the club is promoting it so heavily externally.”

Wayne Channon, secretary general of the IDRC, told H&H he had submitted an outline overview to the FEI a couple of months ago.

“We were hoping that the FEI would develop it from our draft,” he added. “We need to work on the software. It won’t happen overnight, but we aim to have the full proposal to the FEI by the end of the year.”

The FEI has said it is looking for a “detailed explanation of the system” from the IDRC, not a fully working model.

Ref: H&H 16 July, 2015

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Footage courtesy of Hartpury College

Michael Eilberg rode Woodlander Farouche into first place in the innovative Elite Stallions young horse prix st georges qualifier at Hartpury Festival of Dressage today (Thursday 9 July).

The elegant nine-year-old chestnut mare, by Furst Heinrich, scored 77.851% to head the class, which is designed to help develop horses working at prix st georges level. Alice Oppenheimer was second riding Tantoni Sir Soccrates on 75.088% while Kate Cowell took third with Dahling (70.965%)

The top eight horses go forward to the second round of this competition, which takes place during the show’s gala evening on Saturday. There is a first-round prize-pot of £350 and a fund of over £2,000, including £1,000 to the winner in the second round.

Lorna Wilson of Elite Stallions said: “These prestigious developing horse classes are so popular on the continent, but not widely on offer in the UK.

“We’re thrilled Hartpury is keen to welcome the class to their busy schedule and we believe this offers a fantastic springboard. It’s an ideal opportunity for riders to expose their horses to a championship atmosphere and for the audience to see what will hopefully become the UK’s next band of grand prix horses.”

Olympic judge Isobel Wessels has leant her support saying: “It’s wonderful we’ve got this new showcase at PSG level; it’s been missing for a long time.

“I’m really excited that Elite Stallions have made it happen as I’ve judged the final of the equivalent class in Germany and my vision would be to build up to something similar over here.”

After each test on Saturday night, there will be judges’ feedback and a mini interview with each rider to get reaction on the test and insight about their horses.

Isobel adds: “This element should enhance the whole thing for the gala evening audience.”

Full report from Hartpury Festival of Dressage will be published in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 16 July

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Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche won the prix st georges at the CDI4* Schindlhof in Fritzens, Austria today (Friday 26 June).

The pair impressed with a flawless test which was awarded 76.5% — more than 4% ahead of second-placed combination Wibke Bruns and Donna Caribica.

This is Michael’s first visit to Fritzens.

“The test felt really good with no real mistakes,” he said.

“This show is amazing and the view is incredible. I told my dad that I have to be careful when I go down the centre line and don’t look at the mountains instead of concentrating on the test.”

It’s been a busy week for Michael. On Thursday 18 June Michael and Woodlander Farouche cruised to victory in the Equestrian.com invitational inter I freestyle at the Ashford Farm Bolesworth International.

Their score of 77.62% put them more than 3.5% clear of second-placed Laura Tomlinson.

Then on Sunday (21 June) Michael broke the news that his European bronze medal-winning partner Half Moon Delphi had been sold to the US.

The British-bred 13-year-old Dimaggio x Westwall mare Half Moon Delphi was sold to Bob Price for the American rider Sarah Daehnert with Rio in mind.

And on Tuesday (23 June) H&H revealed that Michael had acquired the ride on another superstar, the €2.31million (£1.6m) auction horse, Sa Coeur.

The Oldenburg gelding, who is by the Sandro Hit son Sir Donnerhall out of a Don Davidoff mare, was sold at the high profile December 2012 PSI Auction in Germany and is now at the Eilberg’s Worcestershire yard.

Meanwhile, Carl Hester has unfortunately had to withdraw from the big tour at Fritzens as his ride Wanadoo got a foot abscess after arriving in Austria.

Wanadoo, formerly ridden by owner Coral Ingham, has only had one outing so far under new rider Carl Hester.

The pair competed at the grand prix qualifier at Somerford Premier League scoring 71.4% to win.

Carl said: “I’m so sorry for him and his owners and he was so on form.”

For full report don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H — out Thursday 2 July.

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Following the sale of his top horse Half Moon Delphi, British team dressage rider Michael Eilberg has acquired the ride on another superstar, the €2.31million (£1.6m) auction horse, Sa Coeur.

The Oldenburg gelding, who is by the Sandro Hit son Sir Donnerhall out of a Don Davidoff mare, was sold at the high profile December 2012 PSI Auction in Germany.

In the summer of 2012 Sa Coeur stood world young horse champion in the six-year-old division under Eva Möller. This was a repeat of his five-year-old achievements the previous year, hence his hefty price-tag.

As a five-year-old he received a 10/10 for his walk, and an overall score of 9.38, and as a six-year-old finished top with 9.04.

In 2012, behind Sa Coeur, Laura Tomlinson’s new ride Duvals Capri Sonne Jr captured the bronze medal under his former Dutch rider Dinja van Liere.

The leggy bay arrived at the Eilbergs’ Worcestershire yard a few weeks ago and has settled in well. Though Michael said he will “take some time to get to know him and get him in my way of training before taking him out”.

The Eilbergs already have serious horse power at their yard, in the form of another double world young horse champion Woodlander Farouche — who won the invitational Equestrian.com Bolesworth inter I freestyle last week (18 June).

He also rides her grand prix dam Woodlander Dornroschen (Dimaggio x Caprimond), and has recently broken the 70% barrier at the level.

Michael added: “We had a couple of the horses on the lorry recently and I suddenly realised we had millions of pounds in the back. It’s amazing and exciting — but also a bit terrifying.”

Sa Coeur’s Russian owners already have another expensive horse in training with Michael; the €1.1million (£782,000) black stallion Der Designer, a De Niro son out of a Weltmeyer mare. He was the price highlight at the 2011 PSI Auction and has been winning with Michael on the Premier League circuit at small tour.

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

Horse & Hound's coverage of Ashford Farm CSI4* Bolesworth International (18-21 June) is brought to you in association with Equestrian.com

If you made the trip to Cheshire for the Ashford Farm Bolesworth International (18-21 June) you may be suffering from an equestrian overload hangover, after four days packed with action.

Whether you were in the market for top-class showjumping and dressage, or catching a glimpse of the eventers being put through their paces in the Ride-Away Express Eventing Challenge — it’s unlikely you came away feeling short changed.

And our photographers were on hand to catch some of the thrills, spills and stranger sights from this year’s spectacle.

Bolesworth 2015 in pictures

1. Puissance glory

Ireland’s David Simpson and Gotti Van Paemel (pictured above) and Norway’s Victoria Gulliksen and Grafit shared the prize money in the Equestrian.com puissance that went to a thrilling final fifth round, with the wall reaching 2.10 metres.

2. …and again

Victoria Gulliksen celebrates her Puissance success in style. “I took advice from my dad as he has jumped up to 2.25 metres so knows how to do it, but I wasn’t expecting to get to the final round,” she said afterwards.

3. Michael Eilberg wows the crowds

Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche cruise to victory in the Equestrian.com invitational inter I freestyle — despite the chestnut being a little nervous in the electric atmosphere.

4. Sit tight!

Robert Whitaker and USA Today take the Equerry Horse Feeds CSI4* 1.45m title after a tight jump off

Continued below…

15 riders reach the point of no return

We’ve all been there — one minute you’re enjoying the ride of your life and the next you experience that

5. Superman in action

Geoff Billington ditches his show jacket to win the Mini Major class with Martha Hughes.

6. Fine style

The show’s president Nina Barbour opts for some more unusual footwear…

7. A party atmosphere

The opening ceremony gets the crowds in the mood for four days of entertainment.

8. Not your average main arena attraction…

Butterflies wowed the crowd in the opening ceremony.

9. A memorable backdrop

Wrapped up in all the action, you may have failed to give the stunning castle backdrop the credit it’s due…

10. Wacky jumps

Clare Shepherd and Jordanta take the six-year-old final, where no creativity has been spared with the fence designs

11. The high jump

The French Horseman display team show the horses how it’s done.

Don’t miss the full report from Bolesworth International in Horse & Hound magazine, 25 June issue

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

Half Moon Delphi has been sold to American owners and has left the Eilbergs' yard

The British-bred 13-year-old Dimaggio x Westwall mare Half Moon Delphi has been sold to the USA. Bob Price has bought her for the American rider Sarah Daehnert.

She left the Eilberg family’s yard near Redditch in Worcestershire today (21 June) and travelled to Sarah’s trainer Patrik Kittel’s yard in Germany.

Delphi represented Britain under Michael Eilberg at the European Championships in Denmark in 2013, winning bronze and was on the silver medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy last year – posting a counting score on both occasions.

The pair also posted a plus-80% freestyle score at Aachen in 2014.

“Today was a sad day seeing her go,” Michael told H&H. “I’ve had her five years now and it’s been quite a journey. We’ve done a lot together and she was my first team horse – and possibly my only team horse, but I hope not She’s been lovely to have around.”

Though the mare is now in American ownership, she will spend some time in Germany at Patrik Kittel’s base in Westfalia, Germany, so he can help Sarah get to know the mare.

Michael added: “It was a big decision for her owners, Jon and Julie Deverill, but a big part of their decision to sell was that they knew they aren’t leaving me in the lurch given the horses I have now. And when the big offers start to come in for horses, you have to consider selling.

“Now I can dedicate more time to the others in my stables.”

The other horses are quite a roll-call; including Woodlander Farouche, her dam Woodlander Dornroschen and the €1m auction horse Der Designer.

Despite the loss of his top horse, Michael is still in the shake-up for a spot on the European team for the championships later this year at Aachen in Germany. His former showjumper Marakov has been consistently scoring around the 70% mark for 18 months.

Michael’s association with Half Moon Delphi started many years ago.

“We were at Kingswood for a young horse class with Rosie [Dornroschen] and I said to mum and dad that I’d seen Tim Sillevis riding a fantastic grey that I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on.

“I never saw her again as she went off to Germany. It was only after Jon and Julie [Deverill] contacted me and she came to my yard that I realised it was the same grey horse that I’d wished I could have years earlier.”

Her new rider has bought her as a potential ride for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Delphi – known at home as Maggie – is out of the Half Moon Stud’s foundation mare Waldfee, who was awarded the Horse & Hound Outstanding Mare Award in 2013 for her contribution to British Breeding, with her first five foals already achieving advanced level in dressage.

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

Horse & Hound's coverage of Ashford Farm CSI4* Bolesworth International (18-21 June) is brought to you in association with Equestrian.com

Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche cruised to victory in the Equestrian.com invitational inter I freestyle at the Ashford Farm Bolesworth International (18 June).

Their score of 77.62% put them more than 3.5% clear of second-placed Laura Tomlinson.

Since Michael rode the now nine-year-old Furst Heinrich daughter to World young horse championship gold medals as both a five- and six-year-old, the pair have gone from strength to strength.

At Bolesworth the chestnut was a little nervous in the atmosphere – given away by blowing her nose and chewing on the bit – but her extended trot was still rewarded with two nines.

Farouche’s dam, Woodlander Dornroschen, is competing at top level, recently posting over 70% at grand prix for the first time on only her third outing at the level.

“Rouchy” heads to Fritzens CDI in Austria next, before contesting the Elite Stallions young horse prix st georges classes at Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

Laura Tomlinson brought her new ride, the eight-year-old Rhodium x San Remo stallion Duval’s Capri Sonne Jr, and occupied second place with 74%.

Laura rode to an old compilation, but one that she had never before ridden in competition.

Apart from a mistake in one pirouette, where the horse lost impulsion, the test was smooth and rythmical.

Third-placed Becky Moody was snapping at Laura’s heels, garnering 73.79% for her test on Carinsio (Painted Black x Beaujolais). The pair are the reigning inter I winter champions, having won both that and the prix st georges class at the Naf Five-Star British Dressage Winter Championships at Hartpury in April.

For a full report on all the action at the Ashford Farm Bolesworth International show, pick up a copy of Horse & Hound on Thursday (25 June).

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Horse & Hound's coverage of Ashford Farm CSI4* Bolesworth International (18-21 June) is brought to you in association with Equestrian.com

The impressive setting of the main International Arena at Ashford Farm Bolesworth International CSI4* show in Cheshire played host to a high quality invitational equestrian.com inter I freestyle dressage class last night (Thursday 18 June).

It was the first time the discipline has featured on the four-star fixture’s calendar.

Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche were victorious with over 77%.

That show organisers pulled in top riders including Laura Tomlinson and Becky Moody – who were second and third – was testament to the venue’s appeal.

Olympic rider Richard Davison, who was instrumental in this trial run of dressage, explained that not only is the setting attractive, but the environment is an invaluable learning tool for developing horses, too.

“It’s clear that atmosphere has a big impact on tests — even for experienced horses — so if we want these sensitive animals to deliver good grand prix tests in challenging, modern situations, then this sort of exposure is essential,” he told H&H.

“We’re so lucky to have the opportunity to expose horses in this way at such a beautiful venue. It’s positive not only for the dressage public, but also for the production of future top international grand prix horses.”

Fellow Olympian Laura Tomlinson, who was second on her new stallion Duvals Capri Sonne Jr with 74%, was also impressed.

“It was a long way for us to drive [from Gloucestershire] but the venue’s really going about testing the appetite for the inclusion of dressage in the right way,” she said.

“It was very clever to have to have a small, quality field at this level rather than run a big tour class and have people bring their second- or third-string grand prix horses.

“The venue is awesome; better than most outdoor shows on the continent,” she added. “Where else can you ride in such a cool arena? I think it must be a photographer’s dream. The dressage world should really try to make use of this venue.”

The brainchild behind the entire show, Nina Barbour, added: “I was thrilled with the turnout for last night’s class. This is a stepping stone as we have plans for future expansion of dressage at Bolesworth.”

For full report don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H — out Thursday 25 June.

Video by www.equine-productions.com

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With more and more quality sport horses being proudly British-bred — and getting the recognition they deserve — H&H talks to those behind Woodlander Farouche to find out why she's set to excel in 2015

Name: Woodlander Farouche

Foaled: 2006

Breeding: by Furst Heinrich and out of Dornroschen (Dimaggio)

Breeder: Lynne Crowden

Rider: Michael Eilberg

Woodlander Farouche is one of the most exciting small tour dressage horses. Her career began with a bang when she became the first British-bred horse to win the World Breeding Dressage Championships, taking the title both as a five- and as a six-year-old.

Under Michael Eilberg, the 17.2hh chestnut mare won on her first attempt at prix st georges (PSG) last year, and wowed the crowds at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with her inter I debut in the Mount St John Future Elite championship, prompting judge Stephen Clarke to call her “the best young horse in the world”.

But Farouche was not intended for a star-studded dressage career, as her breeder, Lynne Crowden of Woodlander Stud, explains: “Farouche was a very serendipitous piece of breeding. She had an amazing mother in British-bred Dornroschen, whom I discovered was from the mother-line of Florestan.

The most important thing in breeding is to have an outstanding mare. Research the damline and breed with prolific and successful female lines. Those mares will do business for you,” she says.

“Farouche was very tall and narrow as a foal, and we could see by the time she was six weeks old that she was a huge mover. She was very strong and powerful and was a foal champion and a Futurity champion as a two-year-old. After that, we decided that she needed to go under saddle, and she has kept surprising us ever since,” says Lynne.

“Her paces are effortlessly big and she has real energy and stamina. She is very uphill; her only challenge is learning to manage all her power.

“As for her character — well, she’s a queen. She believes the world is there for her, and needs everything doing for her. As a yearling, she wouldn’t even break the ice on the water.”

Farouche has proved herself able to cope very well in the spotlight — a big plus for rider Michael Eilberg.

“She was thrown in the deep end at HOYS, but she’s able to handle the pressure. Plenty of good horses have something missing, but she has it all,” says Michael.

“The plan for 2015 is to consolidate her small tour movements. I’ve always thought that you never really know how good a horse will be at grand prix until you actually get them in the arena at that level. I hope she can go all the way.”

Don’t miss our Best of British special issue of Horse & Hound magazine in the 8 January issue, where we look at more British-bred horses to watch and round up some of the best British equestrian events

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

Woodlander Farouche and Michael Eilberg are to spearhead a star-studded line up of demos at this year’s Olympia, The London International Horse Show (16-22 December).

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) silver medallist Michael will ride the exciting daughter of Furst Heinrich during a masterclass with his father Ferdi on the opening night of the show (Tuesday 16 December). This will take place ahead of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage grand prix, supported by Horse & Hound.

Spectators for Wednesday (17 December) evening’s performance will be treated to a masterclass from Olympic team gold medallist Laura Tomlinson, who gave birth to her first child this summer.

Last year was an emotional occasion for Laura, as she retired her British team stalwart Mistral Hojris at the show. This December she will be riding one of her up-and-coming horses, the huge 10-year-old mare, Unique.

Following Laura’s demo there will be a medal parade of the British equestrian teams. Great Britain finished at the top of the medal table at WEG this summer after clinching a total of seven golds.

Also in 2014 British youth teams have won 14 medals this year, while other senior teams have also enjoyed European success, helping to bring the GB equestrian medal tally to 31.

Champion vaulter Joanne Eccles will perform a vaulting display on Thursday 18 December. The individual women’s world vaulting champion, Joanne Eccles will perform with her sister Hannah. The pair took bronze in the pas de deux at WEG.

“British equestrianism has a lot to celebrate right now and what better way to mark all these great achievements than at the world’s biggest equestrian party,” said Olympia organiser Simon Brooks-Ward.

“We are thrilled to have so many stars — both human and equine — appearing at this year’s show. I think it is going to be the biggest and best Olympia yet.”

For more information and to buy tickets online visit: www.olympiahorseshow.com or telephone the box office on 0871 230 5580.

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 Mount St John Future Elite Championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is now in its second year — and dressage fans are in for a treat this week.

The championship is the brainchild of HOYS and Emma Blundell, the owner of the Yorkshire-based stud Mount St John.

Emma hopes that the class will continue to attract Britain’s top riders and will come to be seen as a showcase of the nation’s future team horses.

This year the class — an inter I freestyle test — has attracted two of the best small tour horses in the country; Woodlander Farouche and Selten HW (though the latter is ridden by the Dane Anders Dahl, so possibly a future team prospect, but not a British one). Charlotte Dujardin, Emile Faurie and Spencer Wilton are also in the line-up.

The class, inaugurated last year, sees dressage returning to HOYS after a long absence.

Emma is also conscious that the class offers rare big atmosphere exposure for up-coming horses.

“We saw there was a gap in the market for an advanced class like this. HOYS is a huge party and horses have to cope with it,” Emma points out. “Many horses will have mostly only seen the inside of an arena, so it’s good for them to get used to performing in a big atmosphere, rather than riders trying to desensitize them at a final when it counts for a team medal.

“Not all riders have experienced an atmosphere like it either — though of course Charlotte knows HOYS well as her background is showing.”

As the class is a freestyle, it allows riders to sculpt a test which shows of their horse to its best; experienced horses can be shown off and riders can help out a greener one.

Prize-money is another draw. The pot is £3,000, with £2,000 to the winner. Prize-money is handed out to all eight starters.

“It’s good money; not what you’d get at a normal show,” adds Emma. “So we hope to attract those top riders — it’s not just your average test, which is what finals should be about.”

There is also a lucrative prize for the highest-placed mare; likely to be Woodlander Farouche this year.

Emma is offering the top mare an embryo transfer package at Mount St John.

“We like to promote the breeding side to people — not everyone at the highest level has had exposure to affordable AI [artificial insemination]. Any mare in the top few at that sort of level should probably be considered for breeding,” she says.

The class takes place at 6pm on Friday, 10 October. The starting list is:

1. Alfons and Spencer Wilton

2. AMD Don Rosso II and Matt Frost

3. Excalibur and Matt Hicks

4. Selten HW and Anders Dahl

5. Woodlander Farouche and Michael Eilberg

6. Zamboucca and Spencer Wilton

7. Barolo and Charlotte Dujardin

8. Bohemo Tinto and Emile Faurie

Find out how to watch HOYS on TV

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