THERE’S something about the London International that brings out the absolute best from the world’s top riders. The first world record to be set there was in 2009, when Edward Gal and the then nine-year-old Totilas broke their own record with 92.3%.
This was the extraordinary stallion at the peak of his powers. Set to a classical score with a modern and dramatic twist that perfectly matched his enormous presence, Totilas and Gal’s performance brought Olympia’s Grand Hall to its feet and left those watching with a lump in their throats.
The combination of his extravagant extended trot work and elevated piaffe and passage still elicits strong emotions to this day and marked the birth of a new era in modern dressage.
“He was simply amazing,” reminisces Stephen Clarke, who was president of the ground jury in 2009.
“He was one of the first horses who drew non-dressage people in and I can still remember all of the showjumpers rushing up to watch this magical horse. He did a huge amount for the sport.”
Their world record was eventually broken in 2013 by dressage’s most famous pair: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.
Set to the triumphal track created for the London Olympics the pair scored 93.97% in front of a sell-out crowd.
Leading judge Isobel Wessels explains: “We’d always had exceptional horses and riders but it wasn’t until Valegro and Totilas that we saw this level of harmony, and horses that had huge personalities that came out in the arena.
Denne historien er fra December 07, 2023-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
Denne historien er fra December 07, 2023-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
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
