Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro have become the World Freestyle champions, to add to their Olympic and European titles.
Margin
Having been the highest scoring rider in the Grand Prix and in the Special, Charlotte was expected to produce the goods once again on the final day of dressage.
They duly performed a spectacular routine to get a total of 19 perfect 10s from the judges. The eventual score of 92.161% wasn’t quite enough to beat her own world record, but it was more than enough to secure the title.
Almost four percent separated Charlotte from the silver medallist, Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill FRW.
“It’s just absolutely incredible. After London I didn’t think it could get much better, but to go to the Europeans and come away with two golds and now to come away with another two golds and a team silver I just couldn’t have asked for any more,” said Charlotte.
Bronze
Taking the bronze medal was the popular Dutch combination Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival NOP. The 17-year-old gelding finished on 85.714%.
Brit Michael Eilberg came eighth with Half Moon Delphi, while Carl Hester ended up 12th on Nip Tuck.
Michael’s test, performed to Spanish music, gained a score of 79.696% from the judges. “That was a good way to end. I rode in there today and the stadium was packed, you really feel it, I was just hoping she’d maintain her concentration and show some of the work I know she’s capable of,” he said.
Carl and Nip Tuck scored a personal best of 76.589%.“He has exceeded mine, the owners, all our expectations, he’s just been a complete and utter genius this week. How he’s managed to cope, how he’s managed to take in the noise and the atmosphere has been amazing,” said Carl.