Rising stars, lasting legends

The reigning Olympic champions stand their ground, a legendary mare bows out and Britain turns the tide

- MARTHA TERRY

BRITAIN went into this Olympic Games under the darkest of clouds in the delicate climate of global dressage, but emerged from the storm with smiles, bronze medals and a palpable sense of relief.

The Paris 2024 Olympics had the perfect blend of drama, intrigue, young pretenders and living legends. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Palace of Versailles in balmy French sunshine, there could not be a better stage for the fabulous theatre that would unfold.

Legends, both human and equine, ensure a certain gravitas and sense of form. The German team remains the rock of Olympic dressage, winning their 10th gold medal in the 11 renewals since Los Angeles 1984 – and 15th in total. But it was by the tiniest of margins, as the youngest team in the competition – Denmark – pushed them to the wire in bagging their first Olympic medal since 2008.

“We’ve all known each other since we were small kids,” said Vayron’s rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen, the oldest in the Danish team at 34. “There is so much more to come for us and we are hungry. It couldn’t be tighter but isn’t that great for the sport?”

Britain’s bronze for Carl Hester, Becky Moody and Lottie Fry was a boost after a tumultuous week, and proof of our strength in depth.

“A lot of people felt that if Charlotte [Dujardin] wasn’t on the team, then we wouldn’t be successful as she has contributed so much,” said Carl, “so it was important for us to show we could.”

Indeed, this bronze was Britain’s first Olympic team medal without Charlotte, a mainstay since London 2012.

Both Carl and Germany’s Isabell Werth were lining up for their seventh Olympics – and these two national figureheads of their sport were once again major players in the denouement. With both gold and silver in this year’s haul, Isabell is Germany’s most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, as well as winning more medals than any other rider.