Five years on: Great Britain’s golden 2012 Olympic dressage day in pictures

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British team on the podium receiving thier medals. L to R Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Charlotte Dujardin
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

On the fifth anniversary of Britain winning our first Olympic dressage gold medal in Greenwich in 2012, we look back at pictures of that historic day

Time flies: how has it been five years since Laura Tomlinson and Mistral Hojris were on their way to team gold and individual bronze?
Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Time flies: how has it been five years since Laura Tomlinson and Mistral Hojris were on their way to team gold and individual bronze?

A lot has changed for Laura since 2012 — include a wedding and two children
Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

A lot has changed for Laura since 2012 — include a wedding and two children

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris ‘The old Alf’s back, he felt fantastic; he gave me the performance of a young horse which makes me feel really emotional,’ said Laura on that record-breaking day in August 2012
Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris ‘The old Alf’s back, he felt fantastic; he gave me the performance of a young horse which makes me feel really emotional,’ said Laura on that record-breaking day in August 2012

In December 2013, Laura officially retired ‘Alf’ from competition in front of a packed house at the London International Horse Show at Olympia
Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

In December 2013, Laura officially retired ‘Alf’ from competition in front of a packed house at the London International Horse Show at Olympia

Where the magic happened: the view on entering the arena in Greenwich
shute between arena and warm up
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Where the magic happened: the view on entering the arena in Greenwich

It was Carl Hester who got the team off to an excellent start with Uthopia, wowing the crowds and the judges for a score of 80.571%
Carl Hester and Uthopia
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

It was Carl Hester who got the team off to an excellent start with Uthopia, wowing the crowds and the judges for a score of 80.571%

‘I was really, really pleased with that — I’m absolutely thrilled,’ said Carl after his test
Carl Hester and Uthopia
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

‘I was really, really pleased with that — I’m absolutely thrilled,’ said Carl after his test

There was no doubt who these spectators were supporting…
Olympic Games Dressage crowds spectators cheering union jack
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

There was no doubt who these spectators were supporting…

Celebrities in the making: London 2012 put Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro firmly in the spotlight
Olympic Games Dressage 09.08.12
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Celebrities in the making: London 2012 put Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro firmly in the spotlight

Aged just 26 at the time, Charlotte kept her cool in only her second season at grand prix to score 83.286% on Valegro and top the individual leader board
charlotte dujardin and valegro lap of honour
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Aged just 26 at the time, Charlotte kept her cool in only her second season at grand prix to score 83.286% on Valegro and top the individual leader board

‘It was the ultimate dream to get here and win gold; Valegro’s the horse of a lifetime,’ Charlotte said
charlotte dujardin and valegro
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

‘It was the ultimate dream to get here and win gold; Valegro’s the horse of a lifetime,’ Charlotte said

Emotions ran high on that golden day. ‘It’s so surreal,’ said Charlotte
charlotte dujardin and valegro
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Emotions ran high on that golden day. ‘It’s so surreal,’ said Charlotte

A view to remember: the dressage arena in Greenwich
Olympic Games Dressage general arena view equestrian arena
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

A view to remember: the dressage arena in Greenwich

Record breakers: Britain took to the podium to collect their first Olympic dressage medal
British team on the podium receiving thier medals. L to R Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Charlotte Dujardin
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Record breakers: Britain took to the podium to collect their first Olympic dressage medal

A golden kiss: Charlotte with her treasured medal
Olympic Games Dressage charlotte dujardin gold medal with union jack flag
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

A golden kiss: Charlotte with her treasured medal

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