Charlotte Dujardin has retained her Reem Acra FEI World Cup title, finishing the Freestyle almost 10 percent ahead of the competition.
Living the dream
Charlotte and Valegro came close to their Freestyle world-record, scoring 94.196% out in Las Vegas.
“I’m just living the dream!” Charlotte said. “I don’t go into the ring to do less than a 10, and Valegro lets me do that. If he gets worried I know I can reassure him, he trusts me, but he’s always been a brave horse.”
Charlotte had been concerned the enthusiastic crowd’s close proximity in the arena might put Valegro off but, as always, he rose to the occasion
“The crowd were clapping throughout the tests which isn’t something we’re used to,” said Charlotte. “But he loved it!”
“Valegro just loves his job, I don’t have to force him to do anything, I just sit there and steer and off I go, there’s no sweating, no pushing, no pulling, he knows his job and it’s just fantastic!”
Near-perfection
Edward Gal had the tough job of following Charlotte’s performance. Glock’s Undercover had struggled with the atmosphere earlier in the week, but held his nerve to take second place on 84.696%.
“When I started out, scoring over 60 percent was something, then it was 70 percent and then 80 percent –but now it seems 90 is the new 80!” said Edward.
“To come out on the top now you need near-perfection, and with the horses we have we can compete very close to perfection.”
Living
Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB were third with 80.464%.
Steffen Peters was initially placed fourth with 80.286%, however he was later eliminated after a small amount of blood was found on Legolas’ side, caused by his spur. This moved fellow American Laura Graves up into fourth place on 79.125%.
As well as receiving €56,000 prize money andthe new trophy designed by Reem Acra – the New York fashion designer offered to make Charlotte’s wedding dress.
Watch the FEI World Cup Dressage Final on Horse & Country TV (Sky 253 and H&C Play) at 9pm on Wednesday 29th April.