2008 Nationals: Eilberg takes top prize after high drama
last updated on September 22, 2008 18:46
The final day of the 2008 Blue Waters National Dressage Championships took an unexpected turn when news came through that the 2005 National Champion Laura Bechtolsheimer would be unable to compete in the grand prix freestyle.
Laura had won the previous day’s grand prix with her relatively new ride, Andretti H, and was the odds-on favourite to win the freestyle and thereby regain the national crown. However, it was not to be as her horsebox was stuck in traffic on the M5 following a major pile-up. Even a police escort was unable to help as so many cars had broken down on the hard shoulder in the heat.
This left the door open for Olympic reserves Maria Eilberg and the 14-year-old Two Sox (main picture), third in the grand prix, to retain their freestyle title with 73.9% and become the 2008 National Champions.
Maria said: “I am devastated for Laura, but it gave me a little bit of breathing space. She is a close friend and has been great, even watching me in the warm-up today. Two Sox came into himself in Hong Kong [they were travelling reserves for the Olympics] and has been on fantastic form since.”
Maria then reduced some of the audience to tears when she announced that she was giving her prize, an all-inclusive holiday to the Blue Waters Hotel in Antigua, to her parents.
“I am giving this holiday to my mum and dad as they have done so much for me. Mum did not go to Hong Kong as she was holding the fort, so this means they can spend some time together,” said the 24-year-old rider, who also announced that she is starting a new job in a pub next week and intends to go back to college to do a cookery course. “I wouldn’t be without horses for anything in the world, but every year I think 'I must get a job'.”
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Martin Collins Advanced Medium Restricted Championship:
Alice Oppenheimer and Wurlizer, 69.03
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Young rider Alice Oppenheimer and her eight-year-old 17.2hh gelding by Weltmeyer pulled out all the stops at the nationals, having finished second at their regional final. Based in Hampshire, the combination is trained by Nicky Barrett. |
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Biotal Equine Gold Medium Restricted Championship:
Corinna Wyse and Riva, 67.86
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Corinna Wyse has brought her eight-year-old 16.2hh mare by Riccione up through the ranks since a three-year-old with the help of trainer Albert von Schie. The mare has just recovered from a nine-month lay off due to injury and Scottish-based Corrie is now hoping to go all the way up to grand prix level.
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Pure Lime Preliminary Championship:
Emma McCombe and Rohan, 71.39
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Shropshire-based Emma McCombe trains with Dianne Breeze. She rode her six-year-old 16hh gelding by Le Primeur, damsire Wittinger. Her ambition is to become an international grand prix rider and trainer. |
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NuuMed Potential International Dressage Horse:
Peter Storr and Royal Concert
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Peter Storr and the 16.3hh grey gelding by Royal Diamond have added another title to their successful season, which included becoming the Shearwater National five-year-old Champion at the recent BD Young Horse & Breeding Championships. Here they also took the reserve Shearwater Supreme Championship title on the second day of competition.
Hermione Black and BD Marketing Director Penny Pollard jointly own Royal Concert.
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| Paras on parade: Britain's hugely-successful Paralympians show off their medal haul and receive a standing ovation. |
Visit www.bdchampionships.co.uk for full results and click here to listen to interviews with all the winners.
>> You can also download the results with the full scores per judge breakdown here
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