Erlentanz TSF

Polly Bryan hears more about the expressive Trakehner gelding who has become one of Britain’s very best grand prix horses

RIDER SONNAR MURRAY-BROWN

“THE first time I rode ‘Erly’ was in Germany, as a raw six-year-old. I tried a few, but I loved the feeling he gave me, and the fact there was so much more in there to discover. I remember asking him for a flying change, and he leapt in the air and gave me this huge change – I loved it. He has always given me a really fun feeling; he loves to work and is such a trier.

“He has surpassed all expectations and become a horse of a lifetime – we have learnt the ropes together. I always had a feeling he could do grand prix one day, but there’s a difference between being a grand prix horse and being a really good grand prix horse. He still lacks confidence sometimes, but it is so fun to train a horse who just keeps getting better and better. The fact that he is capable of really high scores makes the hard work worthwhile.