Carl Hester and Gareth Hughes have cleaned up at the final test events for the World Equestrian Games.
Won gold!
The dressage kicked off yesterday (23 June) with the Grand Prix, which Carl was one of the favourites to win. He took an early lead onboard Nip Tuck with a score of 72.343%.
However, Gareth and DV Stenkjers Nadonna pipped the fellow Brit to the post by less than 0.5%.
“I’ve just won gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games…well, actually, the test event!” joked Gareth. “To be perfectly honest, if I had to compete at the real World Equestrian Games tomorrow, I wouldn’t change anything I asked of my mare. I would simply try to emulate what just happened, as it was a really good performance that I’m totally satisfied with.”
Feeling confident
Before the test event Gareth was concerned the mare wouldn’t cope with the big stadium atmosphere and said he was “surprised” his test went so well. At the Europeans in 2013, the mare got unsettled before her test and did not achieve what she is capable of scoring.
“Now I know that she can perform well in Caen, I’m going to stop competing on her before the final selections are announced,” he said. “This result could be significant in view of a selection. Let’s just say that after this competition, I feel confident!”
In third place was the Princess of Denmark Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, on her new ride Fabienne, who posted a score of 69.157%.
Exciting future
It was Carl’s turn on the champion’s podium in the Grand Prix Special earlier today (24 June) when he scored 73.866%– this time putting Gareth into second place (73.655).Nathalie took the third spot once again (67.745).
“Great ride on Nip Tuck!” tweeted Carl. “He wins his first international with nearly 74% in the special. Really exciting future!”
The final test event for dressage is the Freestyle to Music this afternoon. This will be followed by two days of showjumping, with 50 ridersfrom 24 nations competing, including British riders Jessie Drea and Holly Gilliott.