Charlotte's back on top

It's a British one-two-three as Charlotte Dujardin returns to London to win with Imhotep, on a night that also saw new stars break through

- OSCAR WILLIAMS

GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE

1st Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) on Imhotep

2nd Lottie Fry (GBR) on Everdale

3rd Becky Moody (GBR) on Jagerbomb

Winning owners: Carl Hester and Coral Ingham

Breeder: T Huizing

Groom: Francesca Gorni

London International, ExCeL London

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN missed out on competing at the London International (LIHS) last year as she was pregnant with her daughter Isabella, but she wasn’t going to miss out for a second time. She produced a commanding display aboard 10-year-old gelding Imhotep to take top honours on a score of 89.46%, this time cheered on by a clapping Isabella.

“I was so sad to miss last year, but to be back riding here makes me so proud and riding in front of a home crowd is incredible – it’s everyone’s dream to ride here,” said a beaming Charlotte.

“It makes me so emotional to think about what I’ve achieved this year. I honestly didn’t think I’d be riding having had Isabella in March. It’s been fantastic – the best year ever.”

Despite being a vast building, the team at the ExCel have done a remarkable job in recreating the intimate feeling that was so synonymous with the show’s old venue Olympia.

It was certainly an intimidating, electric atmosphere for a young grand prix horse to enter for his first indoor show, but Charlotte used all of her experience to give “Pete” confidence and produce an almost flawless test.