Freestyle dressage to music world record broken at Hickstead

Moorlands Totilas, the nine-year-old stallion ridden by the Netherlands’ Edward Gal, broke the world record for a grand prix freestyle with 89.4% at Hickstead’s Exquis World Dressage Masters on Sunday.

Anky van Grunsven previously held the record with Salinero on 87.93%, which she set at a world cup qualifier in ’s-Hertogenbosch in 2006.

“Totilas felt unbelievable,” said Edward, who was even distracted by a fly in his eye throughout the test, but only had a mistake in the one-time changes. “It’s nice to be able to have errors and still get good marks.

“He felt more at ease today than in the grand prix [which they also won with 79.75%]. And it still feels like there’s room for improvement — if I can get him as good at a show as he is at home he should get even higher marks.”

The pair are now favourites for the European championships at Windsor in August.

Laura Bechtolsheimer was best of the Brits in third with Mistral Hojris.

For all the news and action form Hickstead CDI3* and Exquis World Dressage Masters, plus pictures, don’t miss Horse & Hound 30 July issue.

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