September 21, 2008 – The National Dressage Championship at Stoneleigh made a champion out of Mariah Eilberg and her horse Two Sox. The pair was in second place at last year’s championship and this year they took top honors. Eilberg won the freestyle competition with a score of 73.90%, which placed her above her competitors and handing her the win. In second place came Nicola McGivern and her horse Active Walero.

When interviewed by Horse and Hound Magazine, Eilberg had this to say about her win

“It hasn’t quite sunk in,” she supplied “Two Sox tried his heart out today and yesterday, too, his grand prix felt wonderful. He’s so much more confident in the arena this year and, although it’s a difficult floorplan for the freestyle he coped really well.”

Eilberg and Two Sox were reserves for Britain’s Olympic Team at Hong Kong.

Laura Bechtolsheimer, who placed first in the Grand Prix last September 20, was not able to compete. Her horsebox was delayed by an unfortunate road accident as it was on its way to the showground.

Other winners in the National Dressage Championship include Hermoine Black, Alice Oppenheimer on Wurlizer, Corina Wyse and Emma McCombe who rode Rohan.

Oppenheimer said this to Horse and Hound Magazine:

“He produced a good clear round today and scored nines for his extended canter”.