Yesterday she bettered her own World Record in the Grand Prix, and today Charlotte Dujardin repeated the feat in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle test at Olympia (17 December).
Soaring lead
Charlotte had promised to really ‘let rip’ in tonight’s Freestyle test, which was set once again to music from the film How to train your dragon.
The result was a masterclass of precision, mistake-free and polished, and there seemed little doubt that they’d fail to break the 90% barrier. When the score came, it was 94.300% – more than 3% ahead of the record they themselves set at this show last year.
“I was thrilled with my ride, and had so much fun,” Charlotte said after the prizegiving. “Last night gave me so much confidence, so I could go for it tonight. The last piaffe-pirouette I was almost in tears. He’s a horse who never wants to go wrong.”
So many 10s
The judges gave them an amazing 25 perfect 10s, including maximum scores for the harmony, music and choreography.
“In 2009, Edward Gal broke the world record here and it was the most magical moment, and for Charlotte to do it here as well – there’s something about this show,” said tonight’s judge at C, Stephen Clarke.
My Gal
Not only has Charlotte routinely smashed all the records Edward Gal set with Totilas, Charlotte Dujardin also kept him in runner-up spot once again tonight.
Riding Glock’s Undercover, Edward scored 83.550%. “The first part of the test I was happy, then he started cantering and I felt his tension coming up. But at the end it was gone, which is good.”
He still has his sights set on the leader, joking afterwards: “We practise a little bit more – just another 10 percent!”
Reflecting on what it’s like to produce the world’s best dressage test to date, Gal said: “I know the feeling Charlotte, it’s really nice. It makes you want to do it better and better.”
Placings
Germany’sJessica vonBredow-Werndl took third place, relegating Danielle Heijkoop to fourth.
Carl Hester secured a personal best with the 10-year-old Nip Tuck, scoring just under 80% to finish fifth.
Tomorrow the showjumping gets underway at the London International Horse Show at Olympia.
Coming to Olympia? Visit the Horse & Country stand to take advantage of our great show offer.