Five class wins for Eilberg at Aintree

Aintree International Equestrian Centre’s High Profile Show (16-20 October 2024) provided five days of top class dressage at an iconic venue which saw Michael Eilberg take five wins concluding with Freestyle Grand Prix success.

European and World team medallist Michael Eilberg (pictured above) showcased an impressive performance, achieving five wins and two top three finishes. His success began on Friday when he and the 11-year-old MSJ Dante VX (Dante Weltino x Quattro B), co-owned with Nicky Hannam, won the Intermediate II Gold with a score of 73.77%. Later, he secured second place in the Prix St Georges Gold aboard the eight-year-old EDH Saubermond (Sezuan x Dancier) with a score of 70.44%, narrowly trailing Jenny Martell and Integro (Dimaggio x Weidyfleur II) on 70.98%.

Eilberg continued his winning streak over the weekend, claiming victory in Saturday’s Grand Prix on 73.88%. He also finished third in the Intermediate I Freestyle Gold riding EDH Nanouk, scoring 74.29%, just behind Sarah Higgins and Samuel IV (Ampere X Stedinger), who placed second on 74.29%, and Sarah Rao and Geniaal, who took first on 75.75%. On Sunday, Eilberg clinched another victory in the closely contested Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 71.27%, edging out Becky Moody and James Bond (Desperado X Fidertanz), who placed second on 71.16%. Additionally, Michael excelled aboard EDH Saubermond, winning the Prix St Georges Freestyle with a score of 75.00%.

“My horses were amazing, and I was so proud of each of them all producing great tests for their low mileage at the various levels,” said Micheal, posting on Facebook, “It was our first time attending and just wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who helped organise it. It really is a special show.” 

Jess Dunn was another rider who secured multiple wins with several of Jennifer Whittaker’s horses across Wednesday and Thursday. Riding the promising six-year-old WHS Funtime Frankie and adding to a string of top placings, Jess won the Elementary on 70.83% and the Medium on 71.25%. Jess and the eight-year-old Lord Lenny also won the Advanced Medium on 69.43%. Jess’s final win was in the Intermediate I, scoring an impressive 74.61%, riding Dan It’s Carston (Durable x Clearway). 

Following her mum Rebecca Hughes’ third place performance in the Intermediate II class, promising young talent Ruby Hughes took up the reins of family favourite Classic Flamboyant (Westpoint x Orchidee) to win the Junior Team test on 69.90% aboard the 14-year-old mare. 

Another young competitor to watch is Hugo Hamblin-Brown, aged 13, aboard Kerrishill Zeus (Tyreos Survivor x Llanarth Rhun) who won the Children on Horses Team test on 76.08%, which was the highest score of the competition.
Congratulations to all the winning riders, owners, grooms and everyone who took part. Thank you to the entire team at Aintree International Equestrian Centre for hosting a successful BD High Profile Show with fantastic facilities and organisation. 

Results – top three placings

Wednesday

Equi-Trek Elementary 4 Gold

1. Jessica Dunn and Funtime Frankie, 70.83%
2. Darcas Lever and Ibiza Romance, 70.50%
3. Chloe Vell and Moonraise, 68.50%

Equi-Trek Elementary 4 Silver

1. Hayley Colwell and Magnetic, 70.67%
2. Rachel Thomas and Felicitas L, 65.83%
3. Charlotte Thomas and My Beauty CTD, 65.67%

Equi-Trek Elementary 5 Gold

1. Darcas Lever and Ibiza Romance, 73.28%
2. Sarah Kingswells and Odi, 69.69%
3. Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 67.97%

Equi-Trek Elementary 5 Silver

1. Robert Gilsenan and Fangio WD, 69.06%
2. Hayley Colwell and Magnetic, 68.59%
3. Hannah Bailey and Santino Royale, 65.16%

HorseLight Medium 4 Gold

1. Jessica Dunn and Funtime Frankie, 71.25%
2. Tracy Tomlinson and Alissa, 69.06%
3. Sarah Kingswells and Odi, 66.56%

HorseLight Medium 4 Silver

1. Freya Baldwin and Hoghton Maverick, 67.81%
2. Robert Gilsenan and Fangio WD, 66.72%
3. Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 65.94%

HorseLight Medium 5 Gold

1. Tracy Tomlinson and Alissa67.17 %4
2. Rebecca Hesketh and DON PFEFFERNUSS, 64.50%
3. Emma Georgina Rarity and Derriamo, 61.50%

HorseLight Medium 5 Silver

1. Lauren Kate Williamson and HIGHWELL INDIGO, 68.00 %
2. Freya Metters and Hoghton Maverick, 66.33 %
3. Olivia Rimmer and Wadacre Fantasia, 65.83 %

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium 4 Gold

1. Mat Burnett and Mackintosh I, 67.41%
2. Tracy Tomlinson and Sarindar, 66.80%
3. Sacha Hamilton and Netstutteriets Nero, 66.10%

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium 4 Silver

1. Matthew Procter and Powered By Furst Impression, 67.85%
2. Harriet Horsfall and Ivanhoe vdc, 64.65%
3. John Biggs and Janota II, 60.13%

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium 5 Gold

1. Jessica Dunn and Lord Lenny, 69.43%
2. Sacha Hamilton and Netstutteriets Nero, 66.75%
3. Tracy Tomlinson and Sarindar, 65.61%

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium 5 Silver

1. Carrie Byrom and Indigo X, 68.82%
2. Harriet Horsfall and Ivanhoe vdc, 66.62%
3. Steph Bradley and VSH Beaulero, 63.07%

Thursday

HorseLight Medium 4 Gold

1. Melissa Chapman and Ling Yao, 71.09%
2. Tyler Bradshaw and Mexx, 70.78%
3. Amy Woodhead and Fluthopia, 70.47%

HorseLight Medium 4 Silver

1. Robert Gilsenan and Fangio WD, 67.97%
2. Katie Seward and Jupiler DHI, 66.56%
3. Bracken Samantha Parkhouse and Bathleyhills Vue Parfaite, 66.09%

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium 4 Gold

1. Amy Woodhead and Keep In Mind’ 70.13%
2. Jessica Dunn and Lord Lenny, 69.43%
3. Amy Woodhead and Guess Who C, 69.12%

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium 4 Silver

1. Penelope Smith and Rembrandt GSH, 66.93%
2. Amy Richards and Happy Pleasure, 66.93%
3. Olivia Rimmer and Oscar C, 66.14%

Magic NAF Prix St Georges Gold

1. Sarah Rao and Geniaal, 72.35%
2. Amy Woodhead and Keep In Mind, 72.30%
3. Amy Woodhead and Mount St John Furstin Fugger, 72.11%

Magic NAF Prix St Georges Silver

1. Lily Kelly and Newton Tiger, 66.42%
2. Nicole Chin-on Richards and Injection, 65.29%
3. Kate Jones and Hollywood VI, 64.61%

NAF Superflex FEI Intermediate I Gold

1. Jessica Dunn and Dan It’s Carston, 74.61%
2. Spencer Wilton and Woodcroft Django Mon Ami, 73.92%
3. Amy Woodhead and Mount St John Furstin Fugger, 71.62%

NAF Superflex FEI Intermediate I Silver

1. Anna Bates and Gitina, 67.31%
2. Samantha Reeves and Genève, 67.30%
3. Sarah Fitton and FLORENCIANA 4, 66.57 %    

Friday

Equi-Trek Elementary 4 Gold

1. Melissa chapman and Ling Yao, 71.17%
2. Darcas Lever and Ibiza Romance, 70.50%
3. Kirstie Clarke and Nono Secret, 69.67%

Equi-Trek Elementary 4 Silver

1. Hayley Colwell and Magnetic, 71.67%
2. Charlotte Thomas and My Beauty CTD, 68.17%
3. Mark Cramb and Calipso, 67.17%

Equi-Trek Elementary 5 Gold

1. Darcas Lever and Ibiza Romance, 71.41%   
2. Beth Bainbridge and WHD Elton, 71.25 %
3. Amy Woodhead and Fluthopia, 71.25 %    

Equi-Trek Elementary 5 Silver

1. Hayley Colwell and Magnetic, 69.06%  
2. Charlotte Emily Thomas and My Beauty CTD, 67.50%
3. Amy Shakeshaft and Cooga Cool Lady, 64.84%

Magic NAF Prix St Georges Gold

1. Jenny Martell and Integro, 70.98%
2. Michael Eilberg and EDH Saubermond, 70.44%
3. Amy Woodhead and Mount St John Furstin Fugger, 70.29%

Magic NAF Prix St Georges Silver

1. Lily Kelly and Newton Tiger, 65.98%
2. Kate Jones and Hollywood VI, 63.87%
3. Sacha Hamilton and netstutteriets Nero, 59.51%

NAF Superflex Intermediate I Gold

1. Sarah Rao and Geniaal, 73.48%
2. Hermioné Tottman and Exquisite, 71.67%
3. Jenny Martell and Integro, 70.88%

NAF Superflex Intermediate I Silver

1. Fiona Newall and Fendy VCG, 68.82%
2. Abbie Newbury and Seagry Firstamour, 66.62%
3. Jenny Ainscough and Florence PFB, 65.05%

SRPR Marketing Intermediate II Gold

1. Michael Eilberg and MSJ Dante VX, 73.77%
2. Amy Woodhead and VV Lioness, 69.80%
3. Rebecca Hughes and Classic Flamboyant, 69.56%

SRPR Marketing Intermediate II Silver

1. Emma Jablonski and Higgens van de Uilenhoek, 67.55%
2. Chrissie Havis and Beckhouse Piano Blue, 64.46%
3. Roisin Henry and Habil, 62.60 %

Saturday

Advanced I (Kindly Sponsored by Horsehage) Gold

1. Mat Burnett and Enzo Vincenzo, 66.72%
2. Georgina Roden and Saraswati R, 66.56%
3. Tyler Bradshaw and Mexx, 65.31%

Children on Horses Team Test

1. Hugo Hamblin-Brown and Kerrishill Zeus, 76.08%
2. Lillian Waller McSweeney and Willinga Park Sky Diamond, 74.00%
3. India Adams and Reitland’s Don Totilas, 72.30%

Pony Team Test  (Kindly Sponsored by Coldstream)

1. Lily Cawley and Cognac IX, 68.95%
2. Rose Punchard and Spot awole, 68.76%
3. Amelia Goodear and Furioso V.H. Enkershof, 68.52%

Junior Team Test  (Kindly Sponsored by Horslyx)

1. Ruby Hughes and Classic Flamboyant, 69.90%
2. Isabella Caldwell and Don Geniro, 69.55%
3. Mia Smith and Dutch Discovery, 68.13%

Young Riders Team Test  (Kindly Sponsored by Bloomfields

1. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 69.75%
2. Morgan Ray Haerr and Behroez, 68.33%
3. Mia Smith and DUTCH DISCOVERY, 66.13 %    

NAF Superflex Intermediate I Freestyle (Kindly Sponsored by Hird & Partners) Gold

1. Sarah Emma Higgins and Samuel IV, 74.30 %
2. Michael Eilberg and Nanouk EDH, 74.29 %
3. Gregory Sims and WAVERLEY FELLINI 72.84 %    

NAF Superflex Intermediate I (Kindly Sponsored by Hird & Partners) Silver

1. Fiona Newall and Fendy VCG, 68.75%
2. Abbie Mae Newbury and SEAGRY FIRSTAMOUR, 67.13 %
3. Lucinda Bellis and WINDHOVER II, 64.04 %    

Grand Prix (Kindly Sponsored by Hird & Partners)

1. Michael Eilberg and MSJ Dante VX, 73.88%
2. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 72.71%
3. Sara-Jane Lanning and Sigurd, 71.17%

Sunday

Prix St Georges/Young Rider Freestyle

1. Michael Eilberg and EDH Saubermond, 75.00%
2. Sara-Jane Lanning and Choice, 71.04%
3. Abbie Newbury and Seagry Firstamour, 70.79%

Grand Prix (Kindly Sponsored by Cavallo UK)

1. Michael Eilberg and MSJ Dante VX, 71.27%
2. Becky Moody and James Bond, 71.16%
3. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson, 68.04%

FULL RESULTS

Photos © Majestic Photography