Charlotte Dujardin is competing in the World Cup at Olympia later this month – however she will be leaving her record-breaking partner at home.
‘Having fun’
Valegro is stepping aside (or should that be half-passing?) Olympia this year, and Charlotte will be riding Uthopia instead.
The 14-year-old stallion was Carl Hester’s ride at the London Olympics, but Charlotte has since competed him a number of times, in order to give her medal-winning superstar a breather.
“I thought it would be great to ride something different this year, as I want to do the [World Cup] final on Valegro,” Charlotte told H&C.
“He’s had a holiday since the Europeans and is now back in work and fighting fit. We’re just playing with him and having fun and he will start next year.”
Impressive results
Charlotte last competed Uthopia at Windsor CDI in May 2014, where they won the Grand Prix with 76.9% and the Freestyle on 83.6%.
Impressive results by most people’s standards, but they are along way off Charlotte’s records-breaking scores at Olympia 2014, when she was awarded 87.4% in the Grand Prix and a stonking 94.3%in the freestyle.
Carl will be riding Nip Tuck, with whom he came fifth in the freestyle last year. The pair also competed at the World Equestrian Games together in 2014 and at this year’s European Championships, winning team silver at both events.
Joining Carl and Charlotte is Europeans teammate Fiona Bigwood (Atterupgaards Orthilia), alongside Lara Griffith(Bechtolsheimers’ Rubin Al Asad) and Henriette Andersen(Warlock’s Charm).
Overseas riders include Fiona’s Danish husband Anders Dahl, who is based in Sussex, and Peter Minderhoud who won the fourth leg of the World Cup in Sweden last week. He will once again be competing Glock’s Flirt.
Hot competition
The Longines FEI World Cup on Sunday 20 December has attracted the biggest names in showjumping, not least Scott Brash who will be putting in a rare UK appearance.
“I don’t often get the chance to ride in front of home fans as there aren’t many five star events in Britain so it’s always nice to come home and compete in front of the home crowd,” said Scott. “I love Olympia. The atmosphere is always great and the home crowd always cheer me so I’m looking forward to that.”
Scott faces hot competition from the likes of Daniel Deusser,Marcus Ehning, Ludger BeerbaumandHans-Dieter Dreher.
The best of the British will also be competing, including John, Michael, Robert and William Whitaker,Ben Maher –who will be hoping to defend his Olympia Grand Prix title – Jessica Mendoza, Joe Clee, Laura Renwickand Guy Williams, who won last year’s Puissance.
Unstoppable form
Olympia is also hosting the World Cup Driving.
Defending champion Boyd Exell has been crowned the World Cup Driving Champion a record six times. He is on unstoppable form, having won the first two legs, and no doubt will be hoping to repeat last year’s success at Olympia, where he won by four-seconds.
Other drivers hoping to make their mark are DutchmenIJsbrand ChardonandKoos de Ronde.
IJsbrand won the third leg in Stockholm last month and was just pipped to the post by Boyd in 2014. Can he be the won to keep Boyd off the top spot?