European gold medallist and 2008 Olympic dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer has become supreme national champion for the third time. Laura and her father Wilfried’s 16 year old gelding Andretti H (by Aarking) were crowned 2011 National Champions for the second year running on a score of 76.80%.
In a close fought battle with emerging star Michael Eilberg, Laura finally clinched the title with an impressive technical freestyle, which included tricky one-handed, one and two time changes, “It was going so well, I decided to throw in a bit of show-boating!” Laura explained
Performing to their tried and tested, up-beat reggae soundtrack, Laura and Andretti H entertained the crowds and impressed the judges. “It was great fun today,” Laura told British Dressage. “I had a great time and I’m glad other people enjoyed it.”
Despite her recent European gold medal success, Laura is never one to rest on her laurels and always has one eye on London 2012, “To come back here as champion one year down the line, I was more nervous to keep my place. There’s pressure in front of a home crowd, you want to perform your best. We mustn’t be complacent about keeping the horses fit and well for next year. To be national champion of a country that is the current European gold medallist is brilliant!”
Laura and Andretti H will compete in the Lyon World Cup qualifier in October. With Mistral Hojris, her world number two ride she will contend Stuttgart CDI4* in November.
Farouche Wins Potential International Dressage Horse Championship 5 year old
24 year old Michael Eilberg has added a fifth national title to his impressive 2011 tally. With the current five year old world champion Woodlander Farouche (Furst Heinrich x Woodlander Dornroeschen), Michael took the Potential International Dessage Horse 5 year old Championship and boosted his total .
Woodlander Farouche needs no introduction. The mare has received unprecedented attention from press and judges across Europe, and has enjoyed incredible success both on the national and international stage, winning the much-coveted gold medal at the Verden World Breeding Championships in August.
Potential International Dressage Horse judge Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer commented on the mare in the finals, “She is like a ballet dancer. You may see something like this only once in ten years. It’s not just the paces, which are outstanding but also the rideability.” Farouche’s trot left Wilfried speechless, “The trot, what can I say? You can see it all for yourself!”
Class riding judge Daniel Sherriff dismounted the bright chestnut and told the audience, “I’m shaking with exhilaration, I am incredibly honoured to have the chance to ride her. It’s a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life. She really is as good as she looks; Michael is an excellent rider but he really is not concealing anything!"
With the five year old classes finished for 2011, Michael and Farouche look ahead to the six year old classes in 2012, “We will train her up to her age now, with flying changes, medium work and aim her at the Verden six year old classes – but nothing is set in stone.”
Michael relived the first time feeling of riding Farouche when he watched Dan Sherriff in action, “He was wowed by her. It’s good hear feedback on her training.”
Carinsio Wins Potential International Dressage Horse Championship 4 year old
South Yorkshire dressage rider Becky Moody has ridden talented young horse Carinsio to win the four-year-old category of the Potential International Dressage Horse Championship.
“I was thrilled with how he went in there,” said Becky. “He finds the work so easy and is so adjustable. The Dutch-bred gelding is sired by Painted Black and out of a Beaujolais mare. He was bought by Julie Lockey as a yearling. “It can be difficult to see the potential in yearlings but Julie recognised how talented he was and has always believed in him.”
Carinsio has been in Becky’s yard for a year and her parents, Anne and Patrick Moody, bought a 50% share in him nine months ago. “We hope he’ll be a good prospect and go on to grand prix” said Becky.
Ride judge Daniel Sherriff commented as he dismounted, “I rode the horse as if I was trying to buy, and I’d take this one home without a doubt!”
Isobel Wessels claimed her second championship today at the national championships, and now holds both the National and Winter titles at advanced medium open level. Riding her own and Brigit Powell’s Chagall she scored a fantastic 73.84% in the Martin Collins Advanced Medium Open Championship. There was no time to celebrate though as a delighted Isobel hurried off after the prize-giving to prepare for judging the final class of the Championships, the Dressage Deluxe Grand Prix Freestyle!
“He really is an amazing horse and gave me an amazing ride today,” said Isobel, after she’d finished her judging duties. “He was a little more relaxed than yesterday and was powering along throughout the test. I was so pleased with his half passes and his extended trot is always good.”
Isobel has ridden Chagall for four years. “We found him in Germany, in the stable of a good friend,” said Isobel. “He was bred to jump and had done nothing when Brigit and I went out and bought him. We loved him from the start and knew he was something special. He’s a lovely horse to train and has an amazing engine. He’s the most gorgeous horse and loves working – he’s a dream.”
Talking about their plans, Isobel, who trains with Carl Hester said: “We’ll see how it goes but will hopefully go small tour next year. We’re working on piaffe and passage and he’s becoming stronger for pirouettes.
Source: British Dressage
Related Links
Scores 2011 British Dressage Championships
Bechtolsheimer and Eilberg In the Blue on Day Three of the 2011 British Championships
Eilberg Back In Front on Day Two of 2011 British Championships
Hester and Eilberg Win on Day One of 2011 British Championships