Dujardin dances again
Horse & Hound|May 18, 2023
Charlotte Dujardin makes a winning comeback after her baby break and an upcoming star rides the test of his career
POLLY BRYAN
Dujardin dances again

Windsor CDI4*, Windsor Castle, Berks

JUST nine weeks after giving birth, Charlotte Dujardin returned to the competition arena in fine style, winning the grand prix and freestyle.

In fact, it was only three weeks since Charlotte had got back on a horse, but her time out of action hardly showed as she and her 2022 World Dressage Championships ride Imhotep pulled off one impressive test followed by another in the shadow of Windsor Castle.

They scored 77.26% to top the grand prix, the 10-year-old Everdale son, known as Pete, never looking for a moment as though he had not competed since the worlds last August.

“I didn’t know how it was going to go. I knew Pete would be a bit ring rusty – and he is still such a green grand prix horse. He got here and was so hot, and then he saw the Household Cavalry and it blew his mind,” Charlotte said. “He has so much energy, but he never uses it against you. Even when he’s nervous, he tries to keep going.

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