Maria Eilberg's First FEI Pony Willoway Seasong Passed Away

Sat, 11/16/2019 - 09:29
Great Britain
Maria Eilberg and Willoway Seasong

British Grand Prix rider and 2008 British Champion Maria Eilberg had to say goodbye to her career-starting FEI dressage pony, Willoway Seasong. The pony was euthanized on 8 November at the respectable age of 35. 

Willoway Seasong was a British cross bred pony with New Forest Pony, Thoroughbred, Welsh and Arab in his pedigree. He was by Sea Urchin of Willoway out of Tomatin Song of The Hills.

He arrived at Eilberg's yard age 6  as a loss of use pony, when Maria was 6 as well.

The pair started off with one-day eventing, then show jumping on riding club teams, and finishing off with winning the Pony Club U13's dressage title at Weston Park and taking the overall reserve title the next year.

Their partnership culminated into getting selected on the British dressage team for the 1998 European Pony Championships in Le Touquet, France, but they didn't end up going. 

"He was selected for the team and then went lame," Maria told Eurodressage. "It wasn’t noticeable under saddle, only in hand. In the end we found he had been compensating and had actually pulled all four suspensories! He had a break after that to recover and then was ridden by my brothers."

Willowang Season give Maria the first mileage at FEI pony level. On her next pony Manitu N she actually went to the two following European Pony Championships.

Willoway Seasong became a true family pony and taught Michael and Luke how to ride, before going to Clive Millikins as a schoolmaster. He also served as a para pony at age 20. 

"He has spent the rest of his years as a companion and treasured nanny here at Pink Green. He had been looking so well, we were thinking he may have even be first pony for Joshua (Michael Eilberg's son), but sadly that was a dream too far," said Maria Eilberg.

Seasong, aka Thomas, was put to sleep after a colic attack. 

"He had colicked for the first time in 35 years and quite suddenly he was looking as if old age had at last had caught up with him," said Maria. "We shall miss him."

Related Links
Photo Report: Belgian Delphine Meiresonne Wins 1998 European Pony Championships
Scores: 1998 European Pony Championships
Maria Eilberg, 2008 British Dressage Champion
Ferdi Eilberg: Meet the Eilbergs