1ST CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN (GBR) on Gio
2ND LOTTIE FRY (GBR) on Dark Legend
3RD FREDERIC WANDRES (GER) on Duke Of Britain
SOME think of dressage as the staid relation in the horse-world. But that was far from the truth last Friday night as riders battled it out in the freestyle that forms the London leg of the World Cup, in a class supported by Horse & Hound.
We might have missed the beautiful curved ceiling of Olympia’s Grand Hall this year, but the packed crowd did all they could to raise the roof of the ExCeL, the well-received new venue for this Christmas show.
Britain’s heroine, Charlotte Dujardin, was the spectators’ darling, winning here for the fifth time. She took the competition reins once again on Gio – her Olympic and European medallist, who has been sold to the Pidgley family for junior rider Annabella to pilot – and finished more than 7% clear of the field in both the grand Prix and the freestyle.
“There’s nothing more exciting than going into an arena with a huge crowd behind you,” said Charlotte after her freestyle. “I’d forgotten what it’s like to hear that buzz and it’s the best feeling – I’ve missed it so much.”
Denne historien er fra December 23, 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.
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Denne historien er fra December 23, 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
