It’s first for Fuerst Sinclair

It’s first for Fuerst Sinclair

Somerford park FEI Intermediate I, Sunday May 29

The Somerford park FEI Intermediate 1 FEI INT1 was stolen in a late swoop by the ever professional dressage master, Michael Eilberg, on board the imposing Fuerst Sinclair, owned by Alison Reddy. The pair effortlessly produced an impressive score of 71.45, to displace his equally talented girlfriend Maya Goldberg on the leader board with 70.04. The second and third positions were sharply contested between Maya Goldberg and Michael Eilberg’s pupil, Zoe Sleigh, both gaining the first-rate score of 70.04, only being separated through their collectives, Maya scoring a 129 just pipping Zoe with 128.

The winning mount was the 18hh majestic offspring of Fuerst Heinrich, Fuerst Sinclair also known as Freddie. Michael acquired the 13-year-old Fuerst Sinclair when he was seven, and a full horse, he was gelded within the year. Michael Eilberg, is from the dressage dynasty of Eilbergs, with his sister Maria also competing here at Somerford this weekend and his father Ferdi, a renowned top level dressage rider. Unusually however with this background, Michael started out by working for elite show jumper Tim Stockdale before returning to his dressage roots. The 28-year-old then went on to become part of the silver medal winning team at the world equestrian games and also at the European championships in Aachens.

Maya Goldberg was aboard the Ferdi Eilberg owned Torino, the gelding by Corland is 16-years-old and was previously ridden by Michael Eilberg. The combination won a highly contested FEI Prix St Georges FEI PSG yesterday producing an excellent score of 71.93.

Zoe Sleigh rode a beautiful test on the seven-year-old gelding, Dark Legend. Zoe bought Dark legend who is by Duino, as a two-year-old and at four he had already achieved 4th at German Bundeschampionate. Zoe from Hallow, Worcs, began riding and successfully competing from an early age and she first competed at pony FEI level when she was just a tender  11 years of age. Zoe has now been selected for the world-class development programme which helps riders they feel are capable for Rio 2016 and beyond.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.