Eilberg excels

Michael Eilberg dominates across the levels with four exciting horses who are coming into their own, while an inter I winner returns from surgery

- EMILY BEVAN

Vale View Premier League, Leics

MICHAEL EILBERG had the Midas touch, taking victory in all five of his classes across the four-day show, with four different horses.

It was the “phenomenal” MSJ Dante VX who was the “star of the show” according to Michael, recording a brace of inter II wins with the Dante Weltino gelding, scoring 76.03% and 75.74%.

“Dante had only done two inter IIs before, so is still green at this level. Although he made mistakes, he still scored high marks. He was getting nines for his walk, extended trot, entries and pirouettes and 8–8.5s for his passage, and I know he can get better,” said Michael, who has produced the British-bred 10-year-old from a foal.

“He’s been challenging – he ran out of the arena in the four-year-olds at Hartpury – but I’ve always rated him. He’s going from strength to strength.”

Another horse Michael has produced from a foal is MSJ Encore, an eight-year-old Escolar son, who topped a strong prix st georges (PSG) line-up on 73.92%.

“He’s a mega mover. He’s stunning and his presence in the arena is amazing. He’s a real crowd favourite and is super-exciting,” said Michael.

“He made a mistake in his three-time changes and the counter-canter, but they were green things because he was trying too hard. His attitude is really good. He lets you push him and relishes the challenge.”

It was tight at the top of the final day’s PSG, with Tahley Reeve-Smith and the 18.1hh 10-year-old son of Vitalis, Woodcroft Valentino, claiming first place with 69.12%, just ahead of Toby Hewlett and Woodcroft Icon on 69.07%.

AGAINST THE ODDS