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.
