NEVER, ever underestimate Charlotte Dujardin. That is the message many will take away from these Games after an individual final of dreams. To come to her third Olympics riding a young, inexperienced horse that until now many didn’t expect to be the one to succeed her great Valegro, and then claim a bronze medal to send her shooting into the history books is extraordinary.
For Charlotte and Gio, the adorable little chestnut gelding who wins everybody over with his friendly face, willing attitude and fun-loving demeanour, these Games – with their disrupted leadup and strange atmosphere – were set to serve as a stepping stone on the road to Paris 2024.
But when it came down to it, Charlotte helped to shape a night of sport that had every ingredient of a classic Olympic episode. There was exultation, devastation, agonising tension as the result came down to the very final salute, and a great many tears. For all its strangeness, the grand finale of the Tokyo Olympic dressage proved to be a vintage evening.
Denne historien er fra August 05, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra August 05, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
