last updated on September 23, 2009 13:27

Maria Eilberg led out the British interest on the first day of the individual dressage competition at the FEI Alltech European Dressage Championships 2009. Aboard Two Sox she bettered the grand prix score she achieved yesterday for 68.83% in today's special to finish in 19th place at her first Championship competition. The 25 year old from Redditch in Worcestershire commented:

"The team pulled out all the stops yesterday and everyone is in high spirits; there's a real buzz in the British camp so we've had to be strict with ourselves to refocus on today's competition - you have to ride each test as if it's the first one again. Two Sox was great in the arena today, really relaxed and less on his toes so I could ride him for more expression."

Carl Hester had another top drawer ride on Donald Mc Taggart's Liebling II to go into equal tenth on a score of 72.25%.

"I'm absolutely delighted with him today" commented Carl "he tries so hard and after a season of ups and downs its all really come together for us here. Championship medals have somehow passed me by so yesterday has to be the highlight of my career. To do it here in Windsor is extra special with so many good friends around me."

Emma Hindle and Lancet's test had both sparkle and power but some uncharacteristic mistakes in the piaffe and the first canter pirouette dropped the eventual mark to 70.75%. The pair end the competition in 16th place. Team captain Richard Davison said:

"Emma will be dissapointed with the final result, there's no doubt about that, but her drive to succeed and always give her best performance is what makes her a top class athlete. Lots of the work today was super quality and there were some very strong highlights in the test. top marks from the judges throughout and lots to like, but the horse lost throughness in places and there were errors as a result."

"Overall I'm very happy; the team result yesterday was obviously fantastic, we'd come here for the bronze but to get silver was wow! Maria and Carl rode every mark out of their horses this morning and I'm quietly confident of another individual medal here this weekend. The consistency and quality of the team has been right up to expectation and everything is going to plan. Emma will put this behind her and be back on Saturday night better than ever with her new Kur."

The top 15 go through to contest the final individual competition, the Freestyle - however only three riders from each nation may compete. As a resut Laura Bechtolsheimer, Carl Hester and Emma Hindle will all start in the Kur held on Saturday evening of 29 August 2009.

View full results here