In the week that is historically the week of the Liverpool International Horse Show, we take a trip down memory lane to last year’s action, when the master of British dressage posted another impressive win on his Olympic partner Nip Tuck
Carl Hester and Jane De La Mare’s Nip Tuck trounced the opposition in the Equitop GLME dressage class at the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show.
The illustrious pair, team silver medallists for Britain at the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 World Equestrian Games, scored 83.063% for a victory of more than 6% over Henriette Andersen and Flavio.
“That was great!” said Carl. “He’s a pretty clever old thing — this is his first show since the nationals [where they won the overall grand prix title] in September, and we just do half an hour’s warm-up and go for it.”
Fifteen-year-old Nip Tuck counts wins in the World Cup class at Olympia among his many successes.
Henriette scored 76.938% on her own 13-year-old Flavio to take the runner-up spot a fraction ahead of Louise Bell and Into The Blue (76.25%).
She said: “Coming second to Carl is like winning anyway — I’ll take that! It was quite hard work, though — Flavio hasn’t really done indoor shows and it is quite intense and bright in here. It’s so lovely to be here, though.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
There were 10 competitors in the mixed intermediate I/grand prix freestyle class. Of the three intermediate I tests, Jessica Dunn and Alicante Valley scored the highest with 75.25% and took overall fourth place in the competition.
British team veteran Emma Hindle was fifth on the exuberant chestnut 11-year-old Diesel 8, a son of Vivaldi, with a mark of 73.688%, while Sarah Higgins was sixth with 73.15% aboard Alfranco.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.
