Watch Woodlander Farouche win at Hartpury Festival of Dressage: VIDEO
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%)
| More about Woodlander Farouche‘There’s life after Rio for Farouche’Why is Farouche so good?Farouche sets record score as young horse world champion |
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.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“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
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
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.