Ferdi Eilberg, British dressage rider and trainer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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