A new World Champs record, four British medals and an emotional retirement – 6 key stories from the final day in Herning

What an exciting final day of action for equestrian fans at the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships in Herning. The competition for the freestyle medals was as hot as the weather has been at times this week. Each of the eight riders who qualified to come forward in the five grades to this final day of competition arrived ready to impress the judges one more time, but with only three places on the podium, only the best would be crowned.

Find out how the battle for the freestyle medals played out…

The action got underway with the grade IV freestyle that saw the Netherlands’ Sanne Voetts and Demantur RS2 N.O.P. collect their third gold of the competition

• Find out why Sanne felt like she was “in another dimension”

A highly competitive grade II freestyle followed with both Britain’s Sir Lee Pearson and Georgia Wilson on the podium

• Find out what colour the British medals were

In the grade I, Ireland was among the medals for a second time at this World Championships

• Ireland’s Michael Murphy explains how he chose his challenging floorplan

The grade III saw a new World Para Dressage Championship and grade III record set by the home-side, plus there was another medal for Britain

• Find out why Natasha Baker had a less than ideal start to her test

Germany’s Michele George took the grade five freestyle gold, with Sophie Wells collecting Britain’s final medal in Herning

• Find out why the medals are no longer the most important thing for Sophie
  

The freestyle competition was an emotional swansong for a 19-year-old stallion, who will now be enjoying life away from the competition area

• “He’s always been there for me – he knows when he’s here for a big thing and he gives me his heart to me”

The Horse & Hound team hope that you have enjoyed our coverage from the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships in Herning. For more detailed analysis of where the medals were won and lost across the para dressage, showjumping and individual dressage competitions, make sure you pick up your copy of Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 18 August.

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Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.