‘I come out with a smile on my face’: Michael Eilberg on his seven-year-old nationals winner
(Image credit: KEVIN SPARROW)
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 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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