British Grand Prix team rider Michael Eilberg became the small, medium and big tour winner at the 2016 CDIO Saumur on 28 April - 1 May 2016. Eilberg took the arena on three of his most talented horses. The young Brit made a winning international show debut on the Russian owned double Young Horse World Champion Sa Coeur.
“I was extremely happy with Sa Coeur’s performance at the two shows I have taken him to so far,” Michael told Eurodressage. “Other than Saumur, he also won both small tour classes in a national premier league show the week before.”
Aboard Elena Knyaginicheva's 9-year old Oldenburg gelding Sa Coeur (by Sir Donnerhall I x Don Davidoff) he won the Prix St Georges with 74,974%, and the Intermediaire I with 74,947%. Knyaginicheva has two horses in training with Michael: Sa Coeur and Der Designer, who has been with Michael for quite a while now.
“Elena decided last year to send Sa Coeur to join Der Designer at my stables. When he arrived he needed a bit more time to gain the strength and suppleness for the collected work, but I am now starting to get some really great rides from him. He is the most beautiful horse with a very gentle personality, he is quickly becoming a yard favourite!”
Under Eva Möller, Sa Coeur won the 2012 and 2013 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany. The charming bay gelding sold to Russia as the price highlight (2.3 million euro) at the 2012 P.S.I. Auction.
Michael added that his dad Ferdi is his eyes on the ground when training their horses. He hopes to take Sa Coer to a few more shows at small tour level this year and then progress his training towards Grand Prix.
Aboard Half Moon Dynasty (by Dimaggio) Michael won the Intermediaire A with 73,555, and the Intermediaire B with 69.500%. He went on to come second in the Grand Prix with 70.460%, and first in the Grand Prix Kur to Music with 76.050% on the Latvian bred Marakov.
“I have a lot of very exciting horses training at or towards Grand Prix, so the next couple of years could be quite exciting," said Michael.
Michael lists Woodlander Dornroeschen, Woodlander Farouche, Half moon Dynasty, Der Designer, and Furst Sinclair as his top up and comers.
by Sarah Warne
Related Links
Sa Coeur In Training with Michael Eilberg
Bigwood and Eilberg Clean Up 2016 CDIO Saumur Big Tour
Sa Coeur Reclaims World Champion's Title at the 2013 World Young Horse Chapmpionships
Sa Coeur Perseveres in 5-year old Finals at 2012 World Young Horse Championships
Sa Coeur, Price Highlight of 2.3 Million Euro at 2012 PSI Auction