Latest from Horse & Hound in Dressage-world-championships

‘The undisputed king’: heartbreak as medal-winning horse put down after accident

Becky Murray — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:31:14 +0000

Famoso OLD, the world team bronze medal-winning ride of Germany’s Benjamin Werndl, has been put down following a field accident.

“I don’t want it to be true. And yet I have to tell you with a heavy heart, Famoso is no longer alive,” said Benjamin today (3 April).

Benjamin said the 15-year-old Farewell III x Welt Hit II gelding fractured a leg in the field.

“We don’t know exactly how it happened,” he said, adding that there was “no chance of it healing”.

Benjamin said his “world has collapsed”.

“He was so special. So intelligent, mischievous, playful, cheeky and sweet. And so talented. We still had so much to do, especially this year,” he said.

“He came to us in Aubenhausen at the age of seven. His owner Flora Keller entrusted him to me and I quickly realised that he was something very special.”

Benjamin said technical work was “very easy” for Famoso, so piaffe and passage soon became their “favourite lessons”.

“I will never forget this feeling on him, this lightness, this melting in the movement and this joy of walking,” he said.

Famoso made his international debut with Benjamin at the Mariakalnok CDI3* in Hungary, where they won the prix st georges. The following year Famoso stepped up to international grand prix.

The pair were selected for the German squad, and Benjamin said although “minor injuries set us back from time to time, they never stopped us”.

In 2022 Benjamin and Famoso were part of the German team at the Aachen Nations Cup, finishing second. That year they made their championship debut at the World Championships in Herning, where they were on the team that won bronze, alongside Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz, Frederic Wandres and Duke of Britain and Ingrid Klimke and Fraziskus. The following day Benjamin and Famoso went on to record a personal best grand prix freestyle score of 85.89%, for individual fourth.

“2022 was our year; a dream come true for me. I had the feeling back then that he not only gave everything for me, but even more,” said Benjamin, who added that last year the pair had an “unintentional break”, but were ready to “attack again this year”.

“He was 15, in his prime and very fit. But things turned out differently,” he said.

Benjamin added that Famoso “always loved being the centre of attention”, and his groom Aniko granted his “every wish”.

“He was the undisputed king in my stable and made all the horses and people around him feel this in a loving and mischievous way,” said Benjamin.

“He really enjoyed his life in Aubenhausen and I would have loved to give him so many more years with us.”

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘There’s a lack of transparency’: Richard Davison on FEI rule changes

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Solo British entry for FEI dressage World Cup Final as Jessica von Bredow-Werndl will not defend her title

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

The secret weapon who helps dressage World Championships silver medallist Richard Davison…

Pippa Roome — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 15:02:34 +0000

Richard Davison, who was a member of the British silver medal-winning team at the dressage World Championships in Herning in August, has a secret weapon in his travelling groom, Heidi Troniseck.

In an interview on this week’s episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, Richard reveals that Heidi not only cares for his home-bred ride Bubblingh, but also has a crucial role in supporting his training and development of the horse.

“She will walk Bubblingh out several times a day at a show, obviously on a head collar, but not just to give him grass and get the sunshine – which is what everybody should do with their horses when they’re stabled at shows – but to help his training so that he learns to stand still,” explains Richard.

“He’s got a very big flight instinct, so when you’re walking him around on a big showground with lots of people and noise, that flight instinct can be triggered. When the flight instinct is triggered, horses move their legs very fast, so she trains him to deal with what would be a trigger of flight – the flapping flags or the noise or the loud music – but actually to keep his legs still.

“That groundwork is very important, very helpful and critical to his performance at shows.”

Richard Davison goes on to explain that his groom Heidi Troniseck will sometimes be alongside Bubblingh in the main arena at an event.

He says: “If the organisers let me, she will come into a prize giving with the horse or at least the beginning of the prize giving. That isn’t because I need the horse held because I might fall off – touch wood – but because there’s a mental association for the horse that with her alongside and on the ground [he should stand still], because she’s done so much groundwork with the horse. A big prize giving can be very scary, especially indoor ones, for horses, because of the noise from the people, the applause, the spotlight.

“Likewise sometimes when we’re allowed to train in the main arena, she will lead Bubblingh around the arena rather than me riding. So she’s putting him in that atmosphere, but there’s the association with her on the ground.

“It’s a very holistic job developing a competition horse – it’s all about what’s going on inside the horse’s mind.”

Hear more about grooms’ role in Richard’s team, his experiences at the World Championships and his next plans for Bubblingh by tuning into episode 125 of The Horse & Hound Podcast here or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 125: Richard Davison | Maryland five-star review | Classical conditioning | News round-up

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

MP3s v CDs dressage music debate after riders ‘let down’ in competition

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Double bridle debate continues – as FEI dressage committee has its say

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Organisers praised as grooms put to the forefront at World Championships

Becky Murray — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:12:36 +0000

Grooms were at the forefront of the FEI World Championships in Herning (6–14 August), as “important strides” were made.

The Herning organising committee has been praised for “setting a new standard” for grooms, with highlights including a dedicated lounge at the stable area, an exclusive restaurant with “grab-and-go” options, recognition of grooms on screens during the competition, and grooms taking part in prize-giving ceremonies for the first time.

Herning was Charlotte Dujardin’s groom Alan Davies’ 20th major championship and he said the organising committee “tried so hard”.

“They stabled all the teams together, which is always really good at a championship. A WhatsApp group was created and the stable manager put any information we needed and there were at least three or four messages a day keeping us updated,” he told H&H.

“The restaurant was one of the best I’ve ever seen, this is my 12th championship in a row and the food was tip-top. They did fantastic buffets and supplied eco-friendly boxes so you could take food away, and there was always fresh fruit and salad available.”

Alan added that the recognition on the televised screen – each groom was pictured along with each horse and rider – “meant a lot”, and said the event was a “massive improvement” on previous ones he had been to.

“It’s all going in the right direction. If we can really get the International Grooms Association [IGA] off the ground [news, 5 May] and get people to listen, and if there can be more communication between the organisers, the FEI and grooms, then we can keep [the standard] up to a level, which it is getting to,” he said.

“Herning did a really good job and the level of care for grooms is getting better, but it’s going to be keeping those standards up that’s difficult. The cost of living is creeping up, so it’s not going to be easy.”

The IGA, which launched at the end of April, met the Herning organising committee before the championships, and IGA executive director Lucy Katan told H&H she was “delighted” with their “forward-thinking approach”.

“Historically, many shows plan everything and then say, ‘and the grooms’, as kind of an afterthought, but that was not the case here. The organising committee really put the grooms at the forefront of their planning and it created such a different atmosphere of positivity,” she said.

The championships’ sport chief executive Jens Trabjerg confirmed to H&H the committee was “let down at the last minute” with the accommodation, but this was “solved” on 3 August. He added that the committee was “very pleased and proud of the many positive comments” they received.

Alan, who opted to stay in a horsebox with Gareth Hughes’ groom Steph Sharples, said the accommodation was a “bit of a problem” but the committee tried to resolve the issue.

“I feel for them that it went wrong on that level because everything else they were trying so hard to do right for us,” he said.

An FEI spokesman told H&H “important strides” were made at Herning.

“The organising committee was extremely proactive and dedicated to setting a new standard for grooms, which at many levels they achieved. While we fully acknowledge there were some challenges – such as the accommodation – these were resolved in the best possible way given the situation,” he said.

“It was a big team effort with the organising committee, IGA and FEI working together in the build-up and throughout the championship to fulfil a shared vision whereby grooms got the recognition they fully deserved.”

The spokesman added there will be a “thorough debrief” with stakeholders, and the FEI will continue to liaise with the IGA on all matters regarding grooms.

You won’t believe how many 10s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale scored at the World Championships…

Polly Bryan — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 16:31:23 +0000

The ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning may have drawn to a close, but we will be talking about it for a long time yet. The championships were filled with glorious successes, agonising near-misses and a plethora of fabulous horses and riders who provided us all with so much excitement.

It can be hard to put the story of the Ecco FEI World Championships into words (although we’ve done our best – don’t miss the 11 August and 18 August issues of H&H for the full story), and sometimes numbers can paint the picture. So here are our favourite facts and stats that emerged from Herning – some might surprise you….

10 – years to the day since Britain won gold at the London Olympics, they landed team silver in at the Herning World Championships, with Charlotte Dujardin featuring in both teams

20 – years since Britain’s Richard Davison rode his Herning home-bred Bubblingh’s mother, Ballaseyr Royale, at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain

8 – horses on the dressage team podium were competing at their very first major championship: Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, Lottie Fry’s Glamourdale, Richard Davison’s Bubblingh, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour’s Vamos Amigos, Benjamin Werndl’s Famoso OLD, Isabell Werth’s DP Quantaz, Frederic Wandres’ Duke of Britain FRH and Ingrid Klimke’s Franziskus.

5th – the position Britain’s dressage team were lying in overnight, at the halfway point of the team competition

1.228 – the eventual points margin between Denmark in gold and Britain in silver

82.508% – Lottie Fry and Glamourdale’s winning special score – 1.529% more than their personal best in the special to that point

3 – the number of horses with which Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour has won individual medals with in the past four years: European bronze with Atterupgaards Cassidy in 2017 and 2019, European silver and bronze with Bohemian in 2021 and now double world silver with Vamos Amigos.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour at the World Dressage Championships with Vamos Amigos (Image credit: creditUnknown)

0.66% – separated the combinations in sixth to 11th in the freestyle

24 – marks of 10 given across Lottie Fry’s gold medal-winning freestyle, for trot half-pass, extended trot, extended canter, two-time changes, plus rhythm, energy and elasticity, harmony between horse and rider, choreography and use of the arena, music and interpretation.

3.918% – the margin by which Britain’s Gareth Hughes achieved a new career best score, with 84.043% in the freestyle on Classic Briolinca

Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca in the World Dressage Championships freestyle (Image credit: creditUnknown)

83 – athletes from 28 countries competing at the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships

1 – score below 70% across all the riders in the top six para dressage teams

6 – the age of the youngest horse at the World Para Dressage Championships, the USA’s Roxanne Trunnell’s ride Fortunato H20

9 – the number of 10s Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Jørgensen earned for his winning grade III freestyle on Jolene Hill

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

24 – years since Britain had last won a team world medal in showjumping

21 – the age of the championships’ youngest rider: the USA’s Brian Moggre

8 – the number of clears in the team final of the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships

Ben Maher and Faltic HB pictured in the second round of the World Showjumping Championships individual final. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

1 – pole stood between Britain’s Ben Maher and the podium; he and Faltic HB finished fourth

0 – rails down by jumping medallists on the final day of individual competition

The Horse & Hound Podcast 116: World Championships review and BSPS Championships preview

Carol Phillips — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 06:02:35 +0000

Our 116th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features our review of Ecco FEI World Championships, including all the showjumping and para dressage action, as well as the dressage freestyle (check out last week’s episode for the rest of the dressage medals). H&H’s showjumping editor Jennifer Donald catches up with our Herning showjumping reporter H&H’s news editor Eleanor Jones, while H&H’s dressage editor Polly Bryan, who was also out in Herning, chats to H&H‘s senior news writer Lucy Elder. Turning our eyes to the future, H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson interviews producers Sara Parrott and Craig Elenor about their BSPS Championships memories and their plans for this year’s show, before filling in our podcast host H&H’s Pippa Roome on why this show is so important in the showing calendar and what highlights to look forward to. We hope you will enjoy listening.

Episode 116 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service, which is available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers, is now live.

Each episode is available for all H&H fans to listen to via your favourite podcast app 24hrs after its early release to our H&H digital subscribers. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your preferred podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode. This will allow more listeners to make The Horse & Hound Podcast an essential part of their week on Friday morning.

View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

Our 116th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast is the second part of our review of the Ecco FEI World Championships action, kicking off with H&H’s showjumping editor Jennifer Donald catching-up with H&H’s news editor Eleanor Jones, who was part of our team reporting from Herning.

“We all wish we had a horse like King Edward, don’t we. He never looks like he’s going to touch anything” – H&H’s Jennifer Donald

H&H’s Polly Bryan, who was also out in Herning for the competition, and H&H’s Lucy Elder, who has been covering the event from back in the UK, share their thoughts on the incredibly exciting dressage freestyle and all of the para dressage medals.

“I’ve watched Lottie’s freestyle test about seven times since she rode it – I actually feel quite emotional just thinking about it now” – H&H’s Polly Bryan

Looking ahead to the British Show Pony Society’s (BSPS) Summer Championships, H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson catches up with top pony producers Sara Parrott and Craig Elenor to find out their favourite BSPS Championships memories and their plans for this year’s show. Then Alex sits down with our regular podcast host H&H’s Pippa Roome to explain why this show is so important in the showing calendar and what are the key classes to look out for.

“We’ve got a complete range of ponies, from opens to one who’s only been to one show before. We’ll win a flowery sash hopefully!” – Sara Parrott

We would love to hear your feedback on our new “summer of sport” podcast series, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 116

Listen now to other recent episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 115: World Dressage Championships & Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe review

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 112: Hickstead Derby review with Shane Breen, plus Royal International preview

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 114: Royal International Horse Show review

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 113: Lottie Fry | Herning World Championships preview | Festival of Hunting review

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

How to listen to the Horse & Hound Podcast: a beginner’s guide to podcasts

Carl Hester on the World Dressage Championships: ‘A mind-blowing competition’

Carl Hester — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:00:18 +0000

Top British dressage trainer and rider Carl Hester on the strength of British dressage, owners and training

THE legacy of medals carries on. What a mind-blowing competition the World Championships turned out to be for Britain.

The myth of having to go and compete against the best in the world before a championship was blown out of the water. Our three high-scoring combinations had done two competitions each this season and for Gareth Hughes’ Classic Briolinca, an older horse, this was good management, saving an experienced horse for the big day.

Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry showed huge potential at the shows they did, but the improvement and problem solving is delivered at home. Competition is the icing on the cake.

Along with stalwart Richard Davison and the ever-useful Bubblingh (who literally was!), the team arrived with fresh, sound, eager horses. There was no doubt to me they could rival the home team Denmark. The competition was closely fought and showed Britain has a strong chance of gold at Paris 2024.

My vastly different role at these championships included commentating. I enjoyed the chance to give a rider’s point of view. We see the best tests in the grand prix special. Once riders have exposed horses to the main arena and atmosphere in the grand prix, they become braver in riding forward for individual honours. Even the first group of seven went up a notch. There were some impressive performances from Spain and Portugal, with some excellent riding.

“Huge shoes to fill”

DURING the final 10, the pressure and atmosphere mounted quickly, and it was a rare sight for Germany to be missing from the top of the pecking order. Germany’s Benjamin Werndl impressed with his correct and classical techniques on Famoso. Would they have been higher if drawn later in the class?

My own and Coral Inghams’ Imhotep has some pretty huge shoes to fill. “Pete” is an incredibly hot horse who really missed his regular turnout, but Charlotte again showed she’s one of the best with a young, inexperienced horse. The future will see a podium finish.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour is one of the lightest riders and, under pressure, she produced some highlight moments in the special, but for gold she needed forward riding and to take some risks I felt were missing.

Lottie’s ride Glamourdale oozed spine-tingling presence and power, and her riding has come of age both in technique and the risks she felt able to take to go for gold.

“Edge of my seat”

THE atmosphere for the freestyle was more pop concert than dressage. It was evening dressage at its best, with tension and an outcome impossible to foresee. Cathrine and Lottie both rode their best tests, albeit with a few little blips.

In the end, it was the sheer quality of horse that won, with a range of collection and extension rarely seen. As Lottie’s music lyrics sang out at the beginning, her freestyle had me on the edge of my seat. There were oohs and aahs from the crowd at the sheer brilliance of Glamourdale’s movement – it was breathtaking.

With bronze medallist Dinja van Liere – on Hermes, another quality stallion on the way up – we saw three exciting young horses win medals. Benjamin fought back with a brilliant ride; his Olympic gold medal-winning sibling Jessica’s brilliance rubbed off on his performance. And Jessica gave birth to a baby girl the next day!

Gareth Hughes rode at his best, giving an example of what accomplished riding can produce. It was lovely to watch him guide Briolinca so precisely, making the most of every movement, and they showed the best pirouettes of the championships.

The freestyle baton handed from one top Brit to another, since Charlotte’s 2014 win stood while Tryon’s 2018 freestyle was blown away by Hurricane Florence, and it wasn’t so much a case of dreams coming true, but rather who’d dared to dream this? None of us could have wished for a better week.

As Gertjan van Olst, owner of Glamourdale, said, the podium was a synergy of Britain, Denmark, and the Netherlands. His wife Anne was a five-time Olympian for Denmark, they are Dutch-based and their horse is ridden by a Brit. Thank God and how lucky we are to have the van Olsts as honorary Brits when they have so many options.

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 18 August

Re-watch Lottie Fry and Glamourdale’s breathtaking World Championship freestyle

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 19:05:37 +0000

On the evening of Wednesday 10 August 2022, Lottie Fry and Glamourdale quite literally danced their way to World Dressage Championship freestyle gold in Herning, Denmark.

And because it was just so fantastic (we can’t watch it without shedding a tear), we want to relive their fantastic test again and dig deeper into their performance.

Lottie Fry freestyle: watch it again

Lottie Fry freestyle: which music did she use?

Lottie and the Van Olst’s black Lord Leatherdale x Negro stallion, Glamourdale, used newly-composed music created by Joost Peters for their freestyle in Herning.

Brian May’s rock rendition of God Save the Queen got their test underway as the pair passaged to halt, then, after their first halt, continued to Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust. Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You was set to their extended trot, which merged into Millennium for the extended canter, then Genesis’ Land of Confusion could also be heard for further canter work.

Their pirouettes were performed to another Robbie track, She’s The One. Then, the Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony was used for the two-time tempi-changes, while the Beatles’ Hey Jude set the tempo for the one-time changes. The final centreline was ridden to some more God Save the Queen before nailing their final halt, in perfect time with the end of the music.

Lottie Fry freestyle: how she scored

Overall, Lottie and Glamourdale scored an impressive 90.65% from the seven judges, who were located around the arena.

But to delve deeper into the marks they were awarded, here is a full breakdown for you to devour.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘Every child begins the world again’: Olympic champion gives birth while watching her brother ride at Herning World Championships

Polly Bryan — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 18:28:12 +0000

Olympic and European dressage champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has given birth to her second baby, a daughter, with husband Max von Bredow.

The baby, named Ella Marie, was born on Thursday, 11 August, the morning after German rider Jessica had watched her brother Benjamin finish fourth in the grand prix freestyle at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships, from the delivery room at the hospital.

“Yes, she’s here,” said Jessica. “ I watched my brother’s phenomenal performance from the maternity room yesterday evening.”

She has already got home to her Aubenhausen base, and introduced Ella Marie to the horses, including her top mare, the Easy Game daughter TSF Dalera BB.

Jessica’s pregnancy prevented her from competing at the Dressage World Championships, and thus a crack at the “triple crown” – holding world, European and Olympic titles simultaneously. Her last major competition with was the World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany, in April, which she won.

But while Jessica had to follow the World Championships from home – and the hospital – her brother Benjamin was instrumental in helping Germany claim team bronze, on his championship debut with Famoso OLD. The pair also came fifth in the special and fourth in the freestyle, both with personal best scores.

“So damn proud of you and Famoso. Riding one personal best after the other at your first championship at seniors level is just crazy,” Jessica said in support of her brother after the grand prix special.

Following Benjamin’s brilliant freestyle performance for 85.89% she said: “There were so many wonderful goosebumps moments, every day you outdid yourselves again. And this is just the beginning.

“I am incredibly proud of my brother Benjamin, Famoso, his owner Flora Keller, Aniko Hornik – representing our whole team in Aubenhausen and all coaches (equestrian, fitness or mental), physiotherapists, vets, farriers… simply all who belong to it!”

You may also be interested in…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘The fear of mistakes knocked on my door every day’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on the ‘mental toolbox’ that helped her win Olympic gold

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘She leaves her heart in there for us’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl claims World Cup title on last major outing before baby break

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘He doesn’t want to make any mistakes’: German debutants impress with second personal best of World Dressage Championships

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A new Olympic champion is crowned – how Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won gold in Tokyo

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

We are the champions! Celebrating the world medallists in Herning

Carol Phillips — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 06:49:07 +0000

The Ecco FEI World Championships 2022 is a feast of top-class horse sport in Herning, Denmark, crowning the best horse and rider combinations in dressage, showjumping and para dressage. Congratulations to all who won Herning World Championships medals.
World Dressage Championship medals
Team
Gold: Denmark
Silver: Britain
Bronze: Germany
Grand prix special
Gold: Lottie Fry on Glamourdale (GBR)
Silver: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos (DEN)
Bronze: Dinja van Liere on Hermes (NED)
Grand prix freestyle
Gold: Lottie Fry on Glamourdale (GBR)
Silver: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos (DEN)
Bronze: Dinja van Liere on Hermes (NED)
World Showjumping Championship medals
Team
Gold: Sweden
Silver: Netherlands
Bronze: Great Britain
Individual
Gold: Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward (SWE)
Silver: Jérôme Guery on Quel Homme de Hus (BEL)
Bronze: Maikel van der Vleuten on Beauville Z N.O.P. (NED)
World Para Dressage Championship medals
Individual grade IGold: Rihards Snikus on King Of The Dance (LAT)Silver: Sara Morganti on Royal Delight (ITA)Bronze: Michael Murphy on Cleverboy (IRL)
Individual grade IIGold: Katrine Kristensen on Goerklintgaards Quater (DEN)Silver: Pepo Puch on Sailor’s Blue (AUT)Bronze: Sir Lee Pearson on Breezer (GBR)
Individual grade IIIGold: Tobias Thorning Joergensen on Jolene Hill (DEN)Silver: Natasha Baker on Keystone Dawn Chorus (GBR)Bronze: Rebecca Hart on El Corona Texel (USA)
Individual grade IVGold: Sanne Voets on Demantur RS2 N.O.P. (NED)Silver: Demi Haerkens on EHL Daula (NED)Bronze: Rodolpho Riskalla on Don Henrico (BRA)
Individual grade VGold: Michèle George on Best of 8 (BEL)Silver: Sophie Wells on Don Cara M (GBR)Bronze: Frank Hosmar on Alphaville N.O.P. (NED)
TeamGold: NetherlandsSilver: DenmarkBronze: USA
Freestyle grade IGold: Sara Morganti on Royal Delight (ITA)Silver: Rihards Snikus on King of the Dance (LAT)Bronze: Michael Murphy on Cleverboy (IRL)
Freestyle grade IIGold: Katrine Kristensen on Goerklintgaards Quater (DEN)Silver: Sir Lee Pearson on Breezer (GBR)Bronze: Georgia Wilson on Sakura (GBR)
Freestyle grade IIIGold: Tobias Thorning Joergensen on Jolene Hill (DEN)Silver: Lotte Krijnsen on Rosenstolz (NED)Bronze: Natasha Baker on Keystone Dawn Chorus (GBR)
Freestyle grade IVGold: Sanne Voets on Demantur RS2 N.O.P. (NED)Silver: Kate Shoemaker on Quiana (USA)Bronze: Rodolpho Riskalla on Don Henrico (BRA)
Freestyle grade VGold: Michèle George on Best of 8 (BEL)Silver: Frank Hosmar on Alphaville N.O.P. (NED)Bronze: Sophie Wells on Don Cara (GBR)
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Meet the championship debutant (aged 45) and the slightly-out-of-control mare leading the World Showjumping Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The sport is so beautiful when the horses are happy’: Dutch star raises gold medal hopes with fantastic performance in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘It’s about being at one with your horse and enjoying yourself’: Bond fan brings the drama on World Championships freestyle night
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

The Horse & Hound Podcast 115: World Dressage Championships & Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe review

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 05:45:08 +0000

Our 115th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features our full review of the team competition at the World Dressage Championships, where the British team won a brilliant silver medal and Lottie Fry won an incredible individual gold in the grand prix special aboard Glamourdale. As this podcast was recorded prior to the freestyle, we will review that in full on next week‘s episode. H&H’s Polly Bryan, who is out in Herning, where the championships are taking place, and H&H‘s Lucy Elder, who has been covering the event from the UK, share their thoughts on the amazing achievements of the British team so far. Then H&H’s Martha Terry and Gemma Redrup, who were both reporting from the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe last week, ably assisted by their colleagues Pippa Roome who was covering the event remotely, give the full lowdown on all the action from the Gloucestershire event. We hope you will enjoy listening.
Episode 115 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service, which is available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers, is now live.
Each episode is available for all H&H fans to listen to via your favourite podcast app 24hrs after its early release to our H&H digital subscribers. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your preferred podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode. This will allow more listeners to make The Horse & Hound Podcast an essential part of their week on Friday morning.
View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast
Our 115th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features our full review of the team competition at the World Dressage Championships, where the British team won a brilliant silver medal and Lottie Fry won an incredible individual gold in the grand prix special aboard Glamourdale. As this podcast was recorded prior to the freestyle, we will review that in full on next week‘s episode. H&H’s Polly Bryan, who is out in Herning, where the championships are taking place, and H&H‘s Lucy Elder, who has been covering the event from the UK, share their thoughts on the amazing achievements of the British team so far.
“Lottie came in and absolutely blew it out of the water. Considering this was a Danish crowd, they went wild for her” – H&H’s Polly Bryan
Then H&H’s Martha Terry and Gemma Redrup, who were both reporting from the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe last week, ably assisted by their colleagues Pippa Roome who was covering the event remotely, give the full lowdown on all the action from the Gloucestershire event.
“Tim was delighted and Tim‘s ride aboard Vitali was very much him trying to gear this horse up for a crack at Burghley next month” – H&H’s Gemma Redrup
We would love to hear your feedback on our new podcast series, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com
Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 115
Listen now to other recent episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The Horse & Hound Podcast 114: Royal International Horse Show review
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The Horse & Hound Podcast 113: Lottie Fry | Herning World Championships preview | Festival of Hunting review
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The Horse & Hound Podcast 112: Hickstead Derby review with Shane Breen, plus Royal International preview
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The Horse & Hound Podcast 111: Gareth Hughes | Hartpury dressage | Hoof cracks | News round-up
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Yet another gold for Britain and some incredibly exciting prospects – 8 stories to read from the World Dressage Championships today

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 22:55:48 +0000

What an incredible evening! Britain has yet another new world champion in Lottie Fry, as she and Glamourdale topped the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results in the freestyle.
Here’s a rundown of all the action from Herning on the final day of World Dressage Championships action…
Lottie and Glamourdale scored 90.65% to win the gold.
Read what Lottie said straight after her incredible test with the remarkable Glamourdale
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour took the silver with Vamos Amigos.
Read what Cathrine said about riding in front of the home crowd
Britain’s Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca scored a personal best to finish a very creditable fifth.
Read what an emotional Gareth had to say after his test
Charlotte Dujardin finished 10th for Britain on Imhotep in a promising performance for the future.
Find out why Charlotte is excited for the future on Imhotep
Sweden’s Patrick Kittel never fails to impress and this evening was no different.
Read about what Patrik had to say on his top 10 finish aboard Touchdown
The Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens got the freestyle underway on a very exciting nine-year-old stallion.
Emmelie talks about why she is looking forward to the future with this promising son of Apache
Judy Harvey, chief of selectors for the British dressage team, and a top judge and international grand prix rider, reflects on the British team’s performance and unexpected silver medal in the World Dressage Championships results.
Find out what Judy had to say on the team’s performance
And finally, top British grand prix dressage rider and trainer Anna Ross on championships of all levels, and why grooms deserve better
Read about Anna’s thoughts on this year’s World Dressage Championships
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A star is born – Britain’s Lottie Fry claims freestyle World Dressage Championships gold
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He is going to be a superstar’: Charlotte Dujardin eyes bright future for rising star following impressive World Dressage Championships freestyle performance
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I just love her’: British rider rockets into Herning freestyle lead with a personal best
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘I thrive under this kind of pressure’: Danish rider dances to freestyle silver to delight of home World Championships crowd

Lucy Elder — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 22:46:25 +0000

Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Vamos Amigos danced their way to another silver medal to a standing ovation from a home crowd in Herning. The pair’s moving freestyle was rewarded with a +89% score in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results – earning the pair their third medal of the week.
Cathrine and the 10-year-old Vitalis gelding, who she co-owns with Sarah Pidgley, entered to the haunting sounds of the Les Misérables soundtrack.
Vamos Amigos has stepped up through each performance this week. Buoyed by the home crowd, the pair delivered a sensational test heaving with 10s. Cathrine’s interpretation of the music made for pure theatre – using vocals to accentuate this horse’s strengths.
The final passage and piaffe to the sound of Do You Hear the People Sing was alchemy – music, sport, the crowd and this exceptional bond between horse and rider the magic ingredients.
“I’m pretty sure there was fire on the floor right before I went in as he was so hot today!” said Cathrine, adding she is “super happy” with Vamos.
“He is the third horse within four years that I’ve taken an individual medal with. I’m very proud of my team. You always go for gold, of course, but it’s just an honour to be here with these two girls [on the podium].”
She added: “I really thrive under this kind of pressure, it just makes me better. This championship has been good for Denmark and our sport.”
As the pair’s test ended, the crowd held its breath to see if she had done enough to edge ahead of Britain’s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale. Cathrine and Vamos Amigos scored 88.38% in the freestyle results table at Aachen, on their last outing ahead of these World Dressage Championships, and given their stand-out performance in Herning, it looked as if it was going to be close.
Their score of 89.41% set a new personal best for the Danish pair, who were part of the gold medal-winning team at the weekend, slotting them just behind Lottie and into second place. This was their third medal of the championships, having won individual silver on Monday (8 August).
As well as three stellar medal-winning performances, Herning has also been a poignant week for Cathrine, with the official retirement of her “heart horse” Atterupgaards Cassidy, who helped to launch her career.
“It’s been a full-on week. I knew that when we won the gold it would be hard to beat, and the experience with Cassidy was very emotional,” she said.
“To finish with a third medal… like Lottie says, it’s still sinking in. I’m super proud of everyone who has been a part of this, it is the most amazing show I have ever been at.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A star is born – Britain’s Lottie Fry claims freestyle World Dressage Championships gold
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The right side of chaotic and brilliant’: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour spearheads Danish charge to world team gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Top rider’s ‘heart horse’ to retire in special ceremony at World Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘A dream come true’: Danish duo secure second World Dressage Championship medal on home soil
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘He is going to be a superstar’: Charlotte Dujardin eyes bright future for rising star following impressive World Dressage Championships freestyle performance

Lucy Elder — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 21:39:00 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin is eyeing a big future for her rising “superstar” Imhotep after her freestyle which saw her score +83% in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results table tonight (10 August).
Charlotte entered the Stutteri Ask Stadium as defending world champion – a title she won with Valegro in 2014 and has held unchallenged for eight years, owing to the hurricane-related cancellation of the freestyle at the 2018 World Equestrian Games.
But this was a different ask. Herning is the biggest stage nine-year-old “Pete” has ever experienced and the partnership’s result tonight (10 August) is made all the more impressive considering this was his first ever grand prix freestyle.
“For him to go out there tonight and to deliver that test… I was absolutely delighted with him,” said Charlotte, who finished 10th in the final Dressage World Championship freestyle results on a score of 83.13%
“He has done absolutely amazing this week and I couldn’t have asked any more from him. He has taken everything in his stride, he has gone beyond what I thought he would have done here. He has dealt with the atmosphere and the crowd amazingly, when I went in they all applauded and he stayed very calm. He has never, ever been in that sort of environment ever before, so I’m absolutely thrilled with him.”
The Everdale son, owned by Carl Hester and Coral Ingham, flowed through the early trot work, with the clever choreography showcasing his strengths. The canter pirouettes and this horse’s natural aptitude for the piaffe/passage were a treat to watch, scoring well in the World Dressage Championships results. There were a couple of green moments, which simply frank how much more there is to come in future.
“He has just got better and better, even just here at this show, every day he has felt better, more and more relaxed,” said Charlotte.
“I know he has definitely come away with a great experience here and he has learnt a lot. This time next year, he is going to be a different horse. I think he is an incredibly talented horse, I love the horse to bits and I think he is going to be a superstar.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s dazzling team silver, chaos and brilliance, and a home World Dressage Championship win: eight unmissable stories from Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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 star is born – Britain’s Lottie Fry claims freestyle World Dressage Championships gold

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 21:15:22 +0000

The incredible talent of Britain’s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale posted a personal best and sensational score of 90.65% in the freestyle this evening (10 August), putting them into top spot on the Blue Hors World Dressage Championships results table.
The Danish crowd were on their feet upon the completion of Lottie’s sensational test with the 11-year-old, owned by Van Olst Horses.
“I was literally loving every second – as soon as the music started, I could hear the crowd and some were even singing along. It was just the most incredible feeling,” an overwhelmed Lottie, who is just 26 years old, said after her test. “I could really sit up and relax. Glamourdale was enjoying himself and I was just like, ‘wow, this is the most amazing feeling in the world’”.
Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour gave it her all in the Stutteri Ask arena, earning her second silver medal of the week, scoring 89.41% with the British-owned 10-year-old Vitalis son Vamos Amigos. In another repeat of the grand prix special, the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere claimed bronze on the 10-year-old Easy Game son Hermes, posting 86.9%.
When asked about Lottie becoming part of the “90% club”, Lottie said: “I didn’t dare to dream about it to be honest – it is something that all my idols do. I didn’t expect that it would happen to me.”
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale at the World Dressage Championships 2022 (Image credit: creditUnknown)
Lottie’s freestyle music included a range of well-known British songs, such as Another One Bites The Dust by Queen for her entry, Millennium by Robbie Williams for the extended canter, Angels, also by Robbie Williams for some of their other canter work, Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve and God Save The Queen for the final centre-line and halt.
“We knew we wanted to have a special British theme. I know that when those songs comes on, he dances to them, and he really did dance to it tonight,” Lottie said. “As soon as I came onto the centre-line, the crowd started to join in and he just loved it.”
Of the technicalities behind her choice of music, Lottie said after her World Dressage Championships results: “I picked the lines to show off his incredible extended canter and to be honest, everything is such a highlight for him.
“It was difficult to fit it all in it took us weeks to be able to fit everything in and get it inside the time because I wanted to do a 10-minute freestyle, so it took a long time to get it down to the six minutes that we’re allowed.
“I think it really captured all his amazing points. I‘m literally speechless about the music – I have never had such an amazing piece of music.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I just love her’: British rider rockets into Herning freestyle lead with a personal best
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘It’s about being at one with your horse and enjoying yourself’: Bond fan brings the drama on World Championships freestyle night
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘It’s exciting to be so competitive’: Judy Harvey on the British dressage team’s performance in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘I just love her’: British rider rockets into Herning freestyle lead with a personal best

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 19:45:48 +0000

The first of the three British riders to compete in the Blue Hors World Dressage Championships freestyle this evening (10 August) was Gareth Hughes who, with the 16-year-old mare Classic Briolinca, scored a personal best of 84.04%. This was enough to put them into the lead at the halfway stage of the World Dressage Championships results.
Gareth and Classic Briolinca performed their freestyle to a Madonna medley.
“We thought that music would suit her and that‘s actually the first time I’ve ridden through the whole floor plan,” Gareth explained after his test. “To go into an arena like that was really different but it was a lot of fun. I probably looked quite serious, but I was actually smiling.
“This is only our third competition this year, because we’ve just been building her up for this show. She’s 16 and I want another couple of years out of her, so we’ve been very careful.”
Gareth was quite emotional relaying his thoughts on his test this evening and how this mare, who he owns alongside his wife Rebecca and daughter Ruby, has performed throughout these championships.
“She’s come out and she amazes me – she’s just stunning and she’s got so much heart. She holds a lot of tension but now she’s experienced, she knows her lines now and when she goes on those lines, she tries so hard not to make a mistake.”
The highlights in Classic Briolinca’s work were her piaffe, passage and pirouettes and she looked to be really trying for Gareth.
“That’s a pretty special arena and how often do you get to ride in front of that many people, who are such an enthusiastic crowd – the size and scope of it, it’s amazing. I mean, these are dreams,” he said. “I think we can still go even better, but I just love her. We’ll aim for the Europeans next year and then the Paris Olympics. Briolinca has done more than I could ever have dreamed.”
Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Touchdown hold second place on 83.68% in the World Dressage Championships results, while fellow Swede, Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino OLD are in third on 83.05%.
The two remaining British riders, Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry, are due to start their freestyle performances at 9pm and 9.30pm BST respectively.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He showed his potential and he’s a great horse’: Exciting prospect gets Herning freestyle underway
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
What time do Lottie Fry and the other Brits ride in tonight’s freestyle at the World Dressage Championships?
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘It’s about being at one with your horse and enjoying yourself’: Bond fan brings the drama on World Championships freestyle night

Lucy Elder — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 19:44:21 +0000

Sweden’s Patrick Kittel brought the drama with a spectacular Bond-themed freestyle aboard Touchdown at the Blue Hors World Dressage Championships. Their score of 83.68% put the pair into the provisional lead in the World Dressage Championships results table.
But their reign was short-lived, with next to go Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca shooting to the top of the leaderboard with a huge new personal best of 84.04%.
The partnership entered at collected walk, building the suspense through the choreography matched seamlessly with their dramatic soundtrack.
“I loved it, the music is fantastic – Skyfall it’s a little bit of everything from Daniel Craig’s [films as Bond], so it’s Skyfall, Casino Royale, No Time To Die, Spectre, but it’s not the customised James Bond,” said Patrik.
“For example, the last piaffe passage that’s when [Bond] is dying in No Time To Die, when the bombs are coming in, and I just love that music. I wanted to do James Bond, because I’m a big James Bond fan, but without making it the James Bond because everyone has done before, so that was my goal. Walking to that piano, that was the coolest thing.”
While Herning marks the first senior championship for the 10-year-old Quarterback gelding, owned by Sommarkvarn AB, Patrick brings with him a wealth of experience and medals, with Herning marking his fourth World Championship appearance.
He added it felt “unbelievable” to ride in that stadium
“I had one small mistake, but to be really honest, to ride in here, and this audience. It is next level,” he said.
“I think they’re supportive of everybody. I wasn’t even nervous going into it. I just wanted to ride, to make people have a good time. That’s what it’s about, you know, being one with your horse and enjoying yourself.”
Patrick’s team-mate Therese Nilshagen and the 15-year-old Dante Weltino OLD impressed with a new freestyle for these championships.
“I had such a great feeling coming into the arena. I have a new freestyle which got ready just in time, so I thought – why not use it, no point in saving it for later,” said Therese, who scored 83.05%.
“It has a nice flow and fits Dante very well. Comparing this to the European championship in 2017, it feels a lot alike – back then, was a home crowd which is always amazing, but this feels like a home crowd as well. Such a great atmosphere and so many Swedes here to cheer on. Overall, I am happy with the week and looking forward to the next European championship and Olympics.”
Denmark’s team gold medallist Carina Cassøe Krüth received a warm welcome from the home crowd for her performance with Heiline’s Danciera, receiving a score of 82.14% from the judges.
“First of all, the Danish audience is amazing, they know us, they love us and they know we are more than ok with them clapping and cheering for us,” said Carina, who rode to the sound of music from Dirty Dancing and Fame, with the crowd clapping them along the final centre line.
“I am more than happy with my test and my horse even if we had expensive mistakes today. This championship is a once in a lifetime experience, there will never in my lifetime be a championship on home soil. The team medal is so precious because we all fought so hard for it, it has been nothing short of amazing.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Leanjo de Koster)
What time do Lottie Fry and the other Brits ride in tonight’s freestyle at the World Dressage Championships?
(Image credit: Leanjo de Koster)
‘The most incredible music we’ve ever heard’: enjoy a sneak peek of Lottie Fry’s new World Championships freestyle
(Image credit: Leanjo de Koster)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
(Image credit: Leanjo de Koster)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Leanjo de Koster)
‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘He showed his potential and he’s a great horse’: Exciting prospect gets Herning freestyle underway

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 18:46:01 +0000

The Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens got the freestyle underway this evening (10 August), posting a score of 74.59% in the Blue Hors World Dressage Championships results table. Emmelie was riding the nine-year-old Indian Rock and they performed a lovely test, but an early spook was costly.
“It’s always hard to go in first and I think the atmosphere was so noisy and because he was not scared at all the days before, but this evening he was like ‘What’s happening?’, and then also the music was a little bit too much for him, but I think he showed his potential and he’s a great horse,” said Emmelie after her test with the young stallion by Apache. “All you want is for your horse to have a good experience, but because of all the things you cannot control, that was that was a little bit hard for me, but he showed really good parts.”
Emmelie rode Indian Rock’s sire at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon and she said that there are some similarities between them.
“It‘s a great experience to have ridden the father and the son at World Championships – it’s something special,“ she explained after her World Dressage Championships results in 2022. “They look very similar and they are both great types and great dressage horses, but they are completely different in their characters – Apache was a real stallion in his character, but Indian Rock isn‘t at all.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
What time do Lottie Fry and the other Brits ride in tonight’s freestyle at the World Dressage Championships?
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘It’s exciting to be so competitive’: Judy Harvey on the British dressage team’s performance in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Anna Ross: ‘Championship experience is everything, while grooms deserve better’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘It’s exciting to be so competitive’: Judy Harvey on the British dressage team’s performance in Herning

Judy Harvey — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 12:54:58 +0000

Judy Harvey, chief of selectors for the British dressage team, and a top judge and international grand prix rider, reflects on the British team’s performance and unexpected silver medal at the World Dressage Championships
The British dressage team came to Denmark with the main aim of qualifying for the Olympics, for which we had to finish in the top six. There was a point when we started to think maybe we could squeak a bronze medal. Then, as the competition developed, we thought maybe we could get gold. It was so close, and you can’t be disappointed with silver after that. It is exciting going forward with Paris 2024 to have a team which is really competitive again.
The initial disappointment of Carl Hester being missing from the team has been lessened by him doing a sterling job both as team trainer and commentating. He seems to relish both; we might have to convince him to get back on a horse.
Richard Davison’s Bubblingh was nervous. He didn’t settle for the early part of the test, but towards the end he showed some fantastic quality and the marks started to creep up. That’s horses. We imagined Richard’s would be the drop score but even to have him on the team with his great knowledge and support is always a good thing.
Gareth Hughes wasn’t feeling 100%, but he and Classic Briolinca have such a partnership, she held his hand through the test. It was emotional to watch as it was so beautiful with such harmony. Their final halt scored threes when it would normally be eights – because of the applause the mare continued to piaffe.
Charlotte Dujardin did a masterful job giving Imhotep confidence. She was still riding to educate the horse, but where she could show off his highlights, she did. They just got in a muddle with the timing coming out of one passage, but it’s extraordinary what she produced on only the horse’s fourth grand prix.
The pressure was on Lottie Fry as the last British rider. She had to get more than 80% for the team to be in with a chance of silver or gold. She was so cool and rode with the handbrake off. We sat opposite her extended canter. It was straight as a die and she came across in barely any strides at all – Glamourdale has unbelievable power.
On the final centre line the crowds started clapping and he just grew and then halted perfectly – he’s a born show-off.
“The Danes deserved to win”
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour’s ride Vamos Amigos went better in Aachen, but the home crowd was behind them here. She posted on social media asking the crowd not to applaud. When some started, there was shushing and nobody clapped. We thought that was slightly unjust, but that’s one benefit of being on home ground.
The Danes deserved to win, and it’s great for the sport we have so many competitive nations. Similarly, it was great to see two riders from India proving dressage truly is an international sport.
We’re happy in the British camp, with chef d’equipe Caroline Griffith’s efficient management and the great support from World Class. As I write before the grand prix special individual competition, I’m hoping our riders will have to clear a bit more space on their mantle pieces yet.
There’s a great team atmosphere here and the Brits are well supported. Numbers of British spectators are not quite what they were pre-Covid, but you’re bumping into people you know in the tradestands again.
The Danes excelled organising these championships. The officials were friendly – if you didn’t have the right pass, they pointed you in the right direction rather than being met with the usual “no”. There’s lots of shopping – and it’s freezing out here, I had to buy a winter coat – although everything is pretty expensive, like £15 for a gin and tonic!
This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 11 August
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The right side of chaotic and brilliant’: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour spearheads Danish charge to world team gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale mesmerise as Britain goes into the lead of the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Anna Ross: ‘Championship experience is everything, while grooms deserve better’

Anna Ross — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 07:56:57 +0000

Top British grand prix dressage rider and trainer Anna Ross on championships of all levels, and why grooms deserve better
CHAMPIONSHIP fever has hit us. As well as the seniors at the dressage World Championships, it’s been brilliant to see the pony, junior and young riders do so well.
Their success has been built on years of solid foundations, as championship experience never goes to waste. Many of today’s team members are trained by former team members who, although they may not be medallists, have used their experiences to hone the next generation’s skills.
The cutest photo from the junior and young rider European Championships must be the one Britain’s Rebecca Bell posted on Instagram, of Myles Graham and herself, eight years apart, as medallists and supporters for each other. The message has been sent to the top teams; the British team is coming for the top spots.
Grooms deserve better
IT’S a travelling circus at this time of year – a quick turnaround to head to the senior dressage World Championships. Many of the same people are seen again with different team T-shirts, as riders or trainers of different nations.
Packing skills and knowing which kit you’ve sent with which lorry becomes essential. God forbid the Irish team T-shirt ends up in the Canadian truck halfway across the world.
I was cheered on entering the World Championships at Herning to see a huge banner “Grooms – our heroes”, but was then disappointed to discover the grooms’ accommodation was old caravans, shared with a stranger, without privacy or running water.
Grooms are skilled professionals, the custodians of millions of pounds’ worth of horses, as well as the hopes and dreams of the riders. Their nations and venues should offer the best they can, not the least they can get away with.
Everything else in Herning is excellent: big stables, great catering, a beautifully dressed arena and the volunteers couldn’t be more helpful. It was great to see our regular British stewards in key roles around the venue, as recognition of what we already knew – they are among the best in the world.
“Hungry for more”
THERE was a huge mix of nationalities across the board at the dressage World Championships, with 34 countries represented by 93 riders in the grand prix. This diversity is great for the sport. ln order for international dressage to survive and grow, we need global approval that we have horse-friendly sport at the highest levels.
Alex Baker, 26, who arrived in our stables seven years ago as an apprentice competing at elementary silver, represented Ireland in Herning on her senior team debut.
Alex has backed all our young horses at Elite Dressage for years – but we did stand her down from that role before these championships to increase her chances of making it here in one piece. She rode a great test with Dutchman, achieving close to her personal-best score, and the experience has left her hungry for more.
Our future is bright
IT was such a close competition for the team medals and it was impossible to call it for the teams until the very last rider. Gareth Hughes was unfortunate in that the crowd, thrilled with his test, started clapping before he finished. A distracted Briolinca piaffed through the last halt, losing precious points.
The enthusiasm is great, but perhaps signs around the venue and the commentary could politely suggest the crowd wait until the final halt to clap to prevent this in future?
Charlotte Dujardin then kept us in contention with an amazing plus-77%. And there’s even more to come from the gorgeous Imhotep in future years.
Watching on the big screen from the warm-up raised the first cheer from the riders as Lottie Fry and Glamourdale delivered an incredible grand prix to bring home the team silver medal. With these up-and-coming horses, the future is bright for the British Equestrian dressage team.
Roll on Paris 2024!
This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 11 August
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘This doesn’t happen every day’: Alex Baker gets Ireland’s hopes underway at World Dressage Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Tales from Herning: Indian riders make history – with an Indian-bred horse and another who loves raspberries
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s proved she’s a world-class horse’: Gareth Hughes keeps Britain’s medal hopes alive in the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

What time do Lottie Fry and the other Brits ride in tonight’s freestyle at the World Dressage Championships?

Polly Bryan — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:41:56 +0000

The Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships times have been released for the grand prix freestyle, from which the second set of individual medals will be awarded.
The top 15 riders from the grand prix special are eligible to ride the freestyle, and all three British riders who were in action on Monday have gone through – including newly-crowned individual world champion Lottie Fry. Here’s when you can catch the Brits in action in the freestyle:
Gareth Hughes on Classic Briolinca: 9pm local time (8pm BST)
Charlotte Dujardin on Imhotep: 10pm local time on Sunday (9pm BST)
Lottie Fry on Glamourdale: 10.30pm local time on Sunday (9.30pm BST)
When do the other medal favourites ride?
We can look forward to seeing 15 incredible combinations in action in this freestyle class, but the riders you really must not miss include:
Germany’s Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz: 10.10pm local time (9.10pm BST)
Germany’s Benjamin Werndl on Famoso OLD: 10.20pm local time (9.20pm BST)
The Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere on Hermes: 10.40pm local time (9.40pm BST)
Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos: 10.50pm local time (9.50pm BST)
When does the World Dressage Championships freestyle begin and end?
The first rider into the ring to ride their freestyle routine will be the Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens riding Indian Rock, due to begin their test at 8pm local time. Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour will close the class with Vamos Amigos, riding at 10.50pm local time as she bids to improve on her individual silver medal from Monday.
Where can I find the full list of World Dressage Championships times?
Check out the full starting order for the freestyle:
Grand prix freestyle times [PDF download]
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The most incredible music we’ve ever heard’: enjoy a sneak peek of Lottie Fry’s new World Championships freestyle
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Gold for Britain, a horse like a go kart and a shout out for chestnut mares – 11 stories to read from the World Dressage Championships today

Pippa Roome — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 20:01:41 +0000

What a day! Britain has a new world champion in Lottie Fry, as she and Glamourdale topped the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results in the grand prix special.
Here’s a rundown of all the action from Herning…
Lottie and Glamourdale scored 82.508% to win the gold.
Read what Lottie said straight after finding out she’d taken the top spot
Her test showed the black stallion’s incredible power and expression, with plenty of 10s from the judges.
All the detail about Lottie and Glamourdale’s performance
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour took the silver with Vamos Amigos.
What Cathrine said about riding in front of the home crowd
Dinja van Liere collected the bronze on Hermes, for the Netherlands.
Dinja has big ambitions – what are they?
Charlotte Dujardin finished sixth for Britain on Imhotep in a promising performance for the future.
Find out what Charlotte said about how she communicated with the green horse during the test and why it’s “like riding a go kart”
And Gareth Hughes was just behind her in seventh on Classic Briolinca
What pleased Gareth about his ride today?
Germany’s Benjamin Werndl claimed fifth in the special as he continues his great championship debut.
Why Benjamin’s ride Famoso OLD is a funny character
US rider Adrienne Lyle led at the first break with Salvino, finishing ninth.
Adrienne talks about how she has developed Salvino over the years she’s ridden him
José Antonio Garcia Mena and the striking Divina Royal set the tone for the day with a new personal best.
Carl Hester gives a shout out for chestnut mares on the commentary
Sadly, Australia’s Lyndal Oatley was eliminated with Eros today.
Find out why
And finally, the stallion Blue Hors Zack has not only won a team gold this week himself, he also has talented progeny competing alongside him.
Read about Zack and his sons and grandson who are also featuring in the World Dressage Championships results
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand denied team finish under blood rules, as four combinations eliminated from World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Lottie Fry takes gold in World Dressage Championships special: ‘It’s unreal’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Charlotte Dujardin punches in another plus-77% test at World Dressage Championships: ‘He’s so enthusiastic’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘The horses always come first’: Australian rider shares positive news following grand prix special elimination at World Dressage Championships

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 19:58:54 +0000

Australia’s Lyndal Oatley has reported her “unicorn” Eros has been checked by the vet and “looks to be fine” after the pair’s Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships elimination in the grand prix special.
The pair were nearing the end of their test today (Tuesday, 8 August), when the bell rang in their final extended trot. A post from Equestrian Australia said the pair were eliminated owing to Eros “showing some irregular movement”.
Lyndal said after her World Dressage Championships elimination that the “most important thing” is that Eros is ok.
“I don’t think anyone ever goes in there expecting to have that feeling and this is the first time ever for me so it’s very surreal, and a bit of an odd feeling,” she said.
“At the end of the day the horses always come first and ‘Ross’ is my little dream pony. I literally left everything and ran with him down to the stables. Thankfully, he looks to be fine. The vet has gone straight over him. We’re very lucky, we have a great team vet, Robin [Bell]. We checked everything, [his] trot-up was fine. So it appears that there’s just a bit of tension in his body, and that’s a lot of atmosphere for some horses.
“For him, this is still early days and I think he put his heart and soul into yesterday, and today the tension was a bit too much [resulting in] the irregular rhythm, and that’s what happened.”
She added he felt “a little more introverted than normal” in the arena.
“But then you never know [whether] what you’re feeling, and what it looks like, could be two totally different things,” she said.
“The judge did the right thing for sure and the horse’s welfare must come first.”
Lyndal and the 13-year-old Sir Oldenburg gelding, owned by Carol and Andrew Oatley, scored 72.19% in yesterday’s grand prix to help the Australian team to eighth place.
You might also be interested in:
Lyndal OATLEY (AUS) riding Eros during the Grand Prix for the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Team Championship at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning in Denmark between 6th - 14th August 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)
H&H’s Herning horse of the day: Eros – the eventer and former para horse turned grand prix ‘unicorn’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Lottie Fry takes gold in World Dressage Championships special: ‘It’s unreal’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I’m eager to ride 80%’: Dutch competitor eyes huge future for bronze medallist after World Dressage Championships personal best
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘A dream come true’: Danish duo secure second World Dressage Championship medal on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘I’m eager to ride 80%’: Dutch competitor eyes huge future for bronze medallist after World Dressage Championships personal best

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 19:25:54 +0000

Dinja van Liere and the talented stallion Hermes upgraded their young horse world bronze medal to a senior gong with a massive new personal best of 79.41% in the grand prix special results at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships.
In 2018, Dinja and the 10-year-old Easy Game son, out of a Flemmingh mare, took bronze at the World Breeding Federation Dressage Championships for Young Horses. Fast forward four years and they now have a senior world bronze to add to their collection.
Hermes, who is owned by Joop van Uytert, showed real lightness in his active passage work and stunning canter work, particularly through the one-time changes. A couple of moments of tension crept in, with a spook at the end of the extended trot and a mistake in the canter strike-off, where Hermes jumped together behind, which will have affected their final score.
“He got a little bit spooked today, but I managed to bring him together quickly and I’m pleased with it,” said Dinja, who believes there are bigger scores in Hermes yet to come.
“His highlight is always his piaffe and passage, he can do it so easily, it’s always a relaxing time. I’m really eager to ride 80% – we’ll be together for a long time and we are definitely going to make it.”
This combination has a freestyle personal best of 86.74%, set at Aachen last year, so will be one to watch in the final dressage medal-winning opportunity on Wednesday evening.
Grand prix special gold was won by Britain’s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale, with Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Vamos Amigos claiming silver in the World Dressage Championships results.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Lottie Fry takes gold in World Dressage Championships special: ‘It’s unreal’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘A dream come true’: Danish duo secure second World Dressage Championship medal on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning

Polly Bryan — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:49:23 +0000

Britain’s Lottie Fry rode the test of her life to be crowned world champion in Herning, topping the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results in the grand prix special.
Lottie and the phenomenal 11-stallion stallion Glamourdale scored 82.5% to move ahead of the home favourite, Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, and claim the gold medal for Britain. Their score was over 1.5% higher than their previous best in this test, as they rose to the occasion in formidable fashion and scored a plethora of nines and 10s, particularly in the canter work.
This is the first time Britain has had an individual gold medallist at any championship since Valegro won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016 with Charlotte Dujardin.
“This is an incredible feeling, I have no words right now and I’m probably going to burst into tears at any minute; it’s just unreal,” said Lottie, moments after it was confirmed that she was the new world champion with Van Olst Horses’ fabulous black stallion.
Hopes have been high for Glamourdale eve since he won the seven-year-old title at the World Breeding Championships in 2018, under Lottie. He has been produced steadily through to the top level since, and this week he has truly come of age.
This horse’s canter is something to behold – with the crowd letting out loud gasps of appreciation at various points during the canter tour. But it wasn’t just the canter that earned them the top marks from the seven judges: Lottie and Glamourdale banked a 10 right from the off for their foot perfect entry and square halt. The two-time changes – so huge and scopey they barely fit on the diagonal line – received five 10s; the extended canter earned six 10s.
The pirouettes slightly let the pair down in the grand prix, but Lottie said she hoped she could fix them by the special, and fix them she did, earning eights and even a nine for them today as Glamourdale kept much better balance in both.
On their final centre line, the crowd, who had just about managed to restrain themselves at the end of the pair’s grand prix, could hold back no longer and burst into applause. But this pair are not ones to be fazed – Glamourdale loves the atmosphere, producing even more lift in his last bout of passage, before executing a perfect halt – banking himself a further pair of 10s to help edge them further up the leaderboard.
“To get 82.5% at world champs is what dreams are made of,” said Lottie. “He was incredible, he went in there and just did everything I could ask.
“Everything was better – I didn’t believe it could be better but it was. The changes were bigger than yesterday, the pirouettes were better than yesterday, the piaffes were better than yesterday and he was just so ready for it today. The feeling he gives when he goes in the arena is like no other; he is such a massive showman and he takes me with him in that.
“That extended canter and those changes – it’s just the best feeling in the world when he’s doing that.”
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour had to settle for silver, after scoring 81.32% with the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos, owned by the British Pidgey family, with the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere and Hermes scooping bronze with 79.4%.
The 2018 world champion, Isabell Werth, was the final rider into the arena, following Lottie, but couldn’t quite get onto the podium, finishing fourth with DSP Quantaz on 79.07%. Her compatriot Benjamin Werndl was fifth, with Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin sixth on Imhotep after scoring 77.52%. In fact, all three Brits in the special finished in the top seven in the World Dressage Championships results, with Gareth Hughes seventh on Classic Briolinca.
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He won’t want to hold my hand’: Lottie Fry on prepping Glamourdale for Herning and the food she eats before she competes
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Meet Glamourdale – Lottie Fry’s World Champion dressage stallion
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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 dream come true’: Danish duo secure second World Dressage Championship medal on home soil

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:39:33 +0000

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Vamos Amigos upped their game even further after spearheading the Danish side to team gold to seal individual silver in the grand prix special results at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships.
Cathrine and the 10-year-old Vitalis gelding, who she co-owns with Sarah Pidgley, were rewarded with a huge new personal best of 81.32% by the judges to take individual silver.
“I think my horse was even better today than yesterday – like his tempis, super today,” said Cathrine. “I am so pleased with Vamos and it is nothing short of amazing to take a medal here on Danish soil, it is a dream come true!”
Their performance was undeniably exceptional – Vamos Amigos’ showing his athleticism as he powered across the arena in the evening sun to the dramatic backing music of O Fortuna. But it wasn’t perfect. And the fact horse and riders are not machines is the very essence of what makes equestrian sport unique.
The pair had a couple of costly mistakes in the first line of two-time changes. Cathrine didn’t panic, coming round the corner and filing 15 spot-on one-time changes, with a smile on her face – perhaps in part that was relief and in part the delight of riding this horse to a +81% score in front of a home crowd, who gave the pair a standing ovation after their final halt.
Crown Princess Mary was again among the audience, as she was last night, to see Denmark win its second dressage medal of the championships. Gold was won by Britain’s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale on 82.51%, with the Dutch combination of Dinja van Liere and Hermes taking bronze on a score of 79.41% in the World Dressage Championships results.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Lottie Fry takes gold in World Dressage Championships special: ‘It’s unreal’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Charlotte Dujardin punches in another plus-77% test at World Dressage Championships: ‘He’s so enthusiastic’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s right there when you need him’: USA’s Adrienne Lyle leads World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Gareth Hughes holds second in World Dressage Championships special: ‘She felt calm and relaxed’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Britain’s Lottie Fry takes gold in World Dressage Championships special: ‘It’s unreal’

Pippa Roome — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:01:30 +0000

Britain’s Lottie Fry took the individual gold medal in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results for the grand prix special today (8 August).
Lottie and Glamourdale, owned by Van Olst Horses, scored 82.508% to take the top spot. The 11-year-old black stallion showed incredible power and expression throughout his test.
“It’s pretty unreal, unbelievable right now,” said Lottie. “I feel like I’m about to burst into tears any minute but I’m also the happiest person in the world right now.
“Glamourdale gave me everything. The atmosphere was incredible and the crowd was amazing. He rose to it and gave me the most incredible test I’ve ever felt. The sky is the limit for Glamourdale – he’s one in a million and to be able to ride him here at the World Championships is a dream come true.”
The pair’s scores were trending in the mid-80s coming out of the trotwork, then dropped a little as Glamourdale was a little fragile in the walk. A slightly jarring transition into canter dropped Lottie behind Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Vamos Amigos on the trending scores for the first – and only – time, but immaculate tempi changes soon put the British pair ahead again.
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale take gold in the special at the 2022 World Championships. (Image credit: creditUnknown)
Lottie is the second British rider ever to take the gold in the World Championship Dressage results for grand prix special, with Charlotte Dujardin having also achieved it in 2014 on Valegro.
This is Lottie’s first time riding at a World Championship. She was a member of the bronze-medal winning British team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 riding Everdale and piloted the same horse on the silver-medal winning team at the European Championships later in the year. This is 25-year-old Lottie’s first senior championship individual medal.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour took the grand prix special silver medal, delighting her home crowd, while the Netherlands Dinja van Liere claimed bronze on Hermes.
Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep finished sixth, with team-mates Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca in seventh in the World Dressage Championships results today.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Charlotte Dujardin punches in another plus-77% test at World Dressage Championships: ‘He’s so enthusiastic’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Gareth Hughes holds second in World Dressage Championships special: ‘She felt calm and relaxed’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He doesn’t want to make any mistakes’: German debutants impress with second personal best of World Dressage Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Charlotte Dujardin punches in another plus-77% test at World Dressage Championships: ‘He’s so enthusiastic’

Pippa Roome — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:27:52 +0000

Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep put in another great test in the grand prix special today (8 August), scoring 77.523% in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results.
The nine-year-old Everdale son Imhotep – owned by Carl Hester and Coral Ingham – showed powerful, active, punchy work, with so much potential for the future.
The green horse showed some tension in his neck and Charlotte was constantly trying to free the rein and push his nose forward to combat this.
“He needs to learn to go a bit less, but he’s so enthusiastic, he has so much power and he can’t quite manage it at the moment which is why he makes mistakes,” said Charlotte. “He’s like riding a go kart, what he offers is so much.”
The pair had plenty of strong scores in the trotwork and Imhotep’s ability to open and close the pace really suits this test. In the canter work, he broke to trot momentarily as he rounded the arena end after the one-time flying changes and wobbled in his first canter pirouette, with marks for this averaging 5.7 as opposed to 7.9 for the second, cleaner, effort.
Charlotte explained: “I felt really good up to the canter, then he bubbled up in himself and got hotter and hotter. I kept trying to give him a pat, like, ‘You’re alright, you’re ok.’ Then I used my voice on the short side and he trotted and I was like, ‘Oh no, not that much.’ It’s a little bit hit and miss, that’s how green he is at the moment.”
Speaking about the first pirouette, Charlotte added: “I think he changed behind for one stride. He tried to make it too small for himself, I tried to make it bigger, he tried to make it smaller. That’s where he’s inexperienced and he just needs educating now and ring exposure and just getting that confidence in there.”
Charlotte currently sits third in the grand prix special World Dressage Championships results, just ahead of Britain’s first rider Gareth Hughes, who scored 77.28%, but she is likely to drop out of the medal placings as the final pairs come through in this competition. Britain still has one rider to go, Lottie Fry on Glamourdale.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Gareth Hughes holds second in World Dressage Championships special: ‘She felt calm and relaxed’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s right there when you need him’: USA’s Adrienne Lyle leads World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘He doesn’t want to make any mistakes’: German debutants impress with second personal best of World Dressage Championships

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:01:08 +0000

Germany’s Benjamin Werndl and Famoso OLD have continued to impress on their senior championship team debut with another personal best in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results.
The pair scored 78.24% in today’s grand prix special, beating their previous top mark in the special by 0.22%, which took them into the provisional lead at the final break this afternoon (8 August). This is their second personal best of the week, having helped Germany to team bronze with a score of 77.03% in the grand prix.
The 13-year-old gelding, who Benjamin co-owns with father Klaus Werndl and Flora Keller, has such presence in the arena. The pair were trending just above 76% for their early trot work, with the mark climbing as the test progressed.
Famoso OLD’s spring through his passage and silk-like transitions – gliding from piaffe into passage – were particular highlights, as was his smooth, ground-covering canter zig-zag.
“It felt light, and that’s what I always try to achieve, because if something is not light, it doesn’t feel good,” said Benjamin, adding he had a “really great feeling”.
“Of course it is exhausting to ride a grand prix or grand prix special, but I enjoyed really every metre.
“He is a [naturally] balanced horse and that helps – that’s what we are always looking for, balanced horses, because all the work we do is [about] balance. When you are in balance, everything is light. Of course we work on that too, and the frame – it’s not that it’s always [just] given, we work on that.”
The Farewell III is a character in the stable and that personality is part of what makes him so good in competition.
“He’s really funny,” said Benjamin, with a laugh. “He always wants to escape and do funny things, he is sweet as well. He wants to cuddle, but then when you do, he will suddenly bite you. But he’s a very lovely character. He doesn’t want to do anything bad, and that’s the same in the test. He doesn’t want to make any mistakes.”
Benjamin, who is the brother of reigning Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, added his sister was “really happy” for him to secure his first medal yesterday, as part of the team bronze winning German side.
Benjamin was followed into the arena by Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersenn and Marshall-Bell, fresh from their team gold medal-winning performance the night before. This horse’s hindlegs are exceptional to watch and the pair netted another impressive score of 76.52%, to put them into provisional third in the Dressage World Championships results before the final session of competitors.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Britain’s Gareth Hughes holds second in World Dressage Championships special: ‘She felt calm and relaxed’
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Flashy and powerful’: apple falls close to the tree as Blue Hors Zack grandson shines at Dressage World Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s right there when you need him’: USA’s Adrienne Lyle leads World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Britain’s Gareth Hughes holds second in World Dressage Championships special: ‘She felt calm and relaxed’

Pippa Roome — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 16:08:41 +0000

Britain’s Gareth Hughes has taken the lead with one horse to go in the third session of the grand prix special, as the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results continue to roll in.
Gareth and the 16-year-old mare Classic Briolinca – who he co-owns with his wife Rebecca, daughter Ruby and Julia Hornig – put in a neat, rhythmic test. Their only real mistake was a break in the rhythm at the end of one of the extended trots, for which the average marks dropped to 6.1.
“She was great. The other day [in the grand prix on Saturday] we did a really good test, but there was a little bit of tension there, but today she felt really calm and relaxed and I could ride a lot more positively,” said Gareth.
“She doesn’t have huge natural scope to her basic paces, but in all the collected work she’s got such good mechanics and she’s so regular and you can really ride on the marker.
“I feel I can ride nice as well and I think that’s really important these days because even though we want to do as well as we can, I think that nice riding should always be in the forefront of my mind. If I come out and I feel like I’ve ridden nice and we’ve done mistake-free tests, then I don’t care where we finish.”
Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca in the grand prix special at the World Championships in Herning in August 2022. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The highlights of their performance included the passage and first piaffe and the canter pirouettes, for which the marks averaged 8.9 – the crowd applauded as the scores were displayed for these. Although the spectators were starting to clap at the end of the test too, Classic Briolinca managed to hold it together and show a halt, unlike in Saturday’s grand prix.
The pair scored 77.28% to hold second in the World Dressage Championships results at this stage, behind Germany’s Benjamin Werndl and Famoso OLD.
Gareth added: “When I turned the corner and I set her up a particular way, wherever it is, she knows she’s going to lock onto a pirouette and we always smack out six to eight steps and come out and wave at the judge and carry on.
“She’s always done good pirouettes, but they have got better and better and better. But she’s one of those now who in the passage, the tempi changes and the pirouette, she sort of locks onto a rhythm and in the canter piroutte, separates behind and holds the rhythm so each step’s the same and she doesn’t knock herself out. You’re looking for that separation in the hind leg and she does it beautifully.”
Gareth tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Denmark but still rode in the grand prix and helped Britain to the team silver, which is within the rules. He confirmed today that he has now had two negative tests, the first last night, but is still being cautious.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s right there when you need him’: USA’s Adrienne Lyle leads World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand denied team finish under blood rules, as four combinations eliminated from World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘He’s right there when you need him’: USA’s Adrienne Lyle leads World Dressage Championships grand prix special

Polly Bryan — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:12:16 +0000

Adrienne Lyle of the USA is currently holding at the top sport in the World Dressage Championships results for the grand prix special.
Adrienne and Betsy Juliano’s 15-year-old Sandro Hit stallion Salvino improved on their grand prix performance to score 75.69% and take over from Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino at the top of the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championship results today.
The pair stayed mistake free, with the highest marks coming for the stallion’s piaffe and seamless transitions in and out, as well as his fluid tempi changes.
“He felt looser and a little more relaxed and able to show himself off today, and he didn’t put a foot out of place,” said Adrienne, as she compared the feel of today’s ride with that of yesterday, when she posted 74.39% in the grand prix to help the USA achieve sixth place and the all-important qualification for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“He felt very honest; I didn’t have to use much leg and it’s really fun to feel him when he has that kind of energy and drive to do it,” she added of her ride in the special. “I can just sit up there and pilot him around. We’ve been focusing so much on the grand prix, because that was the team test, and that just shows what a good character he is to be able to go in there, do the changes off the different leads, and do all these things we haven’t really been focusing on. He just is right there when you need him.”
Adrienne has had the ride on Salvino for seven years now, and she says that he just keeps getting better, with today’s ride one of the best she has had in terms of feeling, even if the score was some way off her personal best with Salvino in the special, which is 80.83%.
“We’ve been able to refine the self-carriage and the balance that was always the hardest thing in his younger years, because he was such a big mover that trying to solidify the balance has taken quite a long time. But that’s what I really enjoy about dressage – you can watch the step-by-step process.”
The grand prix special has reached its halfway point, with 14 riders still to go, following the withdrawal of Germany’s Frederic Wandres and Duke Of Britain FRH, a decision made to preserve the well-being of the horse. With the best 15 combinations from today eligible to go forward to the freestyle on Wednesday night, Adrienne is the first rider who can be certain of a slot.
Gareth Hughes, Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry will all ride for Britain later today, with the top combinations from the grand prix still to come as well.
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Horses are not machines; I’m not mad at her’: USA rider has perfect response after disappointment at World Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Find out when the Brits will ride for individual medals in today’s World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand denied team finish under blood rules, as four combinations eliminated from World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘Flashy and powerful’: apple falls close to the tree as Blue Hors Zack grandson shines at Dressage World Championships

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:29:23 +0000

The World Dressage Championships are proving somewhat of a family reunion for super-sire Blue Hors Zack and his talented progeny. The stallion has three off-spring and a grandson competing alongside him in Herning this week, his stallion station fittingly title sponsor for the championships.
The impressive young gelding Zonik Hit proved the apple does not fall far from the tree with a performance oozing potential in the grand prix special at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships.
The nine-year-old by Glock’s Zonik NOP (Blue Hors Zack x Romanov), the late former championship ride of Edward Gal, was ridden by Portugal’s João Pedro Moreira to a score of 70.94% in the grand prix special results at the dressage World Championships.
“This is his first world championships, and big championships for the team. So I’m very proud of him and happy how it went,” said João, who scored 71.52% in the grand prix team test.
“He’s a very hot and spooky horse, so he managed himself very well inside [the stadium]. I’m very happy.”
He added that it is “amazing” for the bloodline to have a grandsire and grandson competing alongside each other at the same championships.
“The highlight was definitely his trot, it is very flashy and powerful,” he said. “He’s always ready to go. For the big sport, it’s very important to always have energy, and I think that his biggest strength is his power and activity.”
This rising star showed real softness through his movements, with beautiful smooth one-time changes and gorgeous passage on the final centre line. A few moments of greenness slid in, which were reflected in the score, and make him an exciting horse to keep an eye on for future.
Blue Hors Zack helped Denmark to team gold on home soil at the weekend, partnered by Nanna Merrald Rasmussen, and his influence on competition and breeding is growing. He will enter the arena for the grand prix special at 6.50pm local time (5.50pm UK time) this afternoon, in search of his second medal of these championships.
His three sons here this week are Swiss competitor Gilles Ngovan’s ride Zigzag, Finnish rider Anna Tallberg’s mount Grevens Zorro, and Gretha Ferreira’s Zidane, competing for South Africa.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Find out when the Brits will ride for individual medals in today’s World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The right side of chaotic and brilliant’: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour spearheads Danish charge to world team gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

New Zealand denied team finish under blood rules, as four combinations eliminated from World Dressage Championships grand prix

Polly Bryan — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 13:24:52 +0000

New Zealand’s Gaylene Lennard and Jax Johnson became the second combination of the World Dressage Championships to be eliminated from the grand prix under blood rules. The pair completed their test for a score of 69.63%, but were eliminated after the stewards check “returned a slight pink colouration” from the horse’s mouth.
As a team of three – the first dressage team New Zealand have fielded at a World Dressage Championships since 1998 – Gaylene’s elimination meant that the team could not complete, thus losing the chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We are all devastated for Gaylene,” said Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance general manager Jock Paget. “She and Jax produced a brilliant test and a strong team finish at their first world champs. It is so unfortunate for it to unravel like this.”
Gaylene and Jax Johnson had already had a nervous start to their World Dressage Championships campaign, after the 12-year-old Johnson son was not shown at the dressage trot-up on Friday morning; the horse was reported to have been running a fever. They were allowed to present the following morning, prior to the start of the grand prix, and were passed by the ground jury.
The Hungarian pair Csaba Szokola and Enying were also eliminated after blood was discovered at the stewards check following their grand prix test on Saturday.
Two pairs out of the 94 that begun the grand prix were rung out by the judges during the test, with the ground jury judging the horses to be unlevel. The first of these was Ireland’s Sorrell Klatzko, who was eliminated early in her test on day one, and the same fate awaited Poland’s Katarzyna Milczarek and Guapo on day two of competition.
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Blow for Ireland as team rider eliminated in World Dressage Championships grand prix *Updated*
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Horses are not machines; I’m not mad at her’: USA rider has perfect response after disappointment at World Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Find out when the Brits will ride for individual medals in today’s World Dressage Championships grand prix special
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘Shout out to the chestnut mares of the world’: expressive mare sets grand prix special off to a cracking start at World Dressage Championships

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 12:40:48 +0000

Spain’s José Antonio Garcia Mena and the striking chestnut mare Divina Royal set the tone for a top-class grand prix special day with a new personal best in the World Dressage Championships results.
This partnership has solidified their partnership since their first appearance on the world stage at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, which came just months after their first international grand prix together.
José Antonio and the 12-year-old mare were first into the arena in the grand prix special at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships today (Tuesday, 8 August), setting the bar with a score of 73.88%.
Jose Ignacio Diaz Bravo’s mare showed scopey trot work, trending around the 74% mark, with her light, expressive passage a treat for viewers. The highlights kept coming, with a flowing canter zig-zag and bold, forward two- and one-time tempi changes.
Carl Hester providing commentary on the livestream summed up her elegant test as a “shout out to the chestnut mares of the world”.
José Antonio said afterwards that he was able to take more risks today than in the grand prix team test, where he scored 71.82 % – helping Spain to team seventh.
“Today I had nothing to lose and our chance to be very on the limit in the special,” he said, adding the special suits this mare better than the grand prix. “Tokyo last year was a very fast year, because my first CDI [big tour] with her was in April last year, so some three months later, she was in the Olympic Games.”
He added the winter has been pivotal in building their relationship and now they are “on their way”.
José Antonio’s team-mates Jose Daniel Martin Dockx, riding Malagueno LXXXIII, and Alejandro Sánchez del Barco, aboard Quincallo de Indalo, are also in this first grand prix special session, which will decide the first set of individual World Dressage Championships results.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Friso Gentsch/dpa)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Friso Gentsch/dpa)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Friso Gentsch/dpa)
‘The right side of chaotic and brilliant’: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour spearheads Danish charge to world team gold on home soil
(Image credit: Friso Gentsch/dpa)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Find out when the Brits will ride for individual medals in today’s World Dressage Championships grand prix special

Polly Bryan — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:02:07 +0000

The World Dressage Championships times have been released for today’s grand prix special, the first of the individual competitions following an exhilarating team contest.
The top 30 riders from the grand prix qualify for the grand prix special, with three of the British riders who won team silver in Herning yesterday going forward to compete for individual medals. The top 15 combinations from the special will go through to the grand prix freestyle on Wednesday, 10 August, although only three from each nation may contest the freestyle.
The Brits will ride the special at the following times:
Gareth Hughes on Classic Briolinca: 5.20pm local time (4.20pm BST)
Charlotte Dujardin on Imhotep: 7pm local time on Sunday (6pm BST)
Lottie Fry on Glamourdale: 7.30pm local time on Sunday (6.30pm BST)
What time do the other medal contenders ride the special?
Don’t miss these combinations, who could all finish near the top of the grand prix special leaderboard:
The USA’s Adrienne Lyle on Salvino: 4pm local time (3pm BST)
Sweden’s Patrik Kittel on Touchdown: 5.30pm local time (4.30pm BST)
The USA’s Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper: 5.40pm local time (4.40pm BST)
Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen on Marshall-Bell: 6pm local time (5pm BST)
Germany’s Frederic Wandres on Duke Of Britain FRH: 6.30pm local time (5.30pm BST)
Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth on Heiline’s Danciera: 6.40pm local time (5.40pm BST)
The Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere on Hermes: 7.18pm local time (6.18pm BST)
Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos: 7.20pm local time (6.20pm BST)
Germany’s Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz: 7.40pm local time (6.40pm BST)
When does the World Dressage Championships grand prix start and finish?
The first rider into the arena for the grand prix special in Herning is José Antomio Garcia Mena riding Divina Royal for Spain, and they go at 1.30pm (12.30pm BST). The reigning world champion in the special, Isabell Werth, will be the final rider to compete tonight, on DSP Quantaz, and she will begin her ride at 7.40pm local time.
Check out the full list of World Dressage Championships times:
Grand prix special times [PDF download]
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale mesmerise as Britain goes into the lead of the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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

Britain’s dazzling team silver, chaos and brilliance, and a home World Dressage Championship win: eight unmissable stories from Herning

Lucy Elder — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 19:44:36 +0000

Denmark delivered their first World Dressage Championship team gold medal in front of a home crowd, with less than a penalty separating the top two teams in the final results. Find out how the action played out in Herning today…
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour spearheaded the Danish charge to the country’s first ever world team gold medal
Find out what Cathrine had to say about dealing with pressure – and another very special horse in her career
Britain landed team silver by the narrowest of margins
Read how the full team results played out at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale scored a new personal best with a dazzling performance
Find out what Lottie had to say after her test
Isabell Werth has another superstar on her hands with DSP Quantaz…
Discover more about this exciting stallion
…as does Charlotte Dujardin, in the shape of senior championship debutant Imhotep
Read what Charlotte had to say about “Pete”
Herning was a milestone moment for Ireland’s Abi Lyle
Discover more about the Irish rider
While H&H also caught up with the youngest competitor in dressage competition
Learn more about Portugal’s Martim Meneres
H&H’s Herning horse of the day is the former eventer and para horse Eros, ridden by Australia’s Lyndal Oatley
Find out more about this grey “unicorn”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand rider scores ‘emotional’ personal best as nation fields first dressage World Championship team in 24 years
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

H&H’s Herning horse of the day: Eros – the eventer and former para horse turned grand prix ‘unicorn’

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:55:08 +0000

Lyndal Oatley was visibly emotional when she finished her grand prix test on a personal best championship score with her “unicorn” Eros, at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships.
Lyndal only decided days before the championship that she would take the 13-year-old grey gelding over her equally talented mare, Elvive. The decision paid off with “Ross” producing some beautiful work, and the pair scoring a marvellous 72.19% for Australia.
As the crowd erupted at the end of their test and Lyndal and Ross made their way out of the arena, Lyndal could be seen wiping happy tears from her eyes.
“I just wanted to do solid and really give our team the best chance we could. I wasn’t thinking of a score,” she said.
“It’s funny because I’ve had a lot of experience with him when he was insecure with noise. Here in Herning for the World Cup, he got really frightened at the clapping and ran off. So for him to actually cope with that [today] I was emotional and proud of him for doing that. Because we do this for the passion of the horse. It’s not just the six minutes in there; it’s our whole journey.
“No one sees how much we work we do with them to get them confident and to feel confident that they can show themselves [off], and that’s the fun thing with him. He went in there, showed off, came out proud as punch, coped with the clapping and wooing and I was already happy. It wouldn’t matter what score I got then, I was just thrilled that he developed and trusted me enough to come out of the arena feeling confident.”
Lyndal, who is based in Germany with her husband Patrik Kittel, admitted choosing Eros over Elvive came with “a lot of guilt”.
“It was really hard,” she said. “They’re like your children and you spend your whole life with them. I’ve had Elvive since she was seven and I know her inside out and I know what she’s capable of. But I also know at this moment when championships count we need stability and experience and at this moment Ross had that after Aachen,” she said.
“When he returned and developed his training for me, I was like, ‘This is the right moment for him’. And so I tossed and turned and I drove everybody nuts in our federation, and thankfully they were really supportive of it and let me bounce off my ideas on where we’re at so we could have the best team we could have.”
Lyndal bought Ross from a stable in Holland, where he was based to be sold. Prior to turning his hooves to dressage, he started off as an eventer – and had a stint as a para horse for a partially blind rider.
“I bought him when he was 10, after I was pregnant with my daughter. I wanted to find a horse that I could develop and come back into the sport but I hadn’t any intentions of championships at that point,” she explained.
“All I wanted to do was really get into the sport and find a horse that I really connected with to develop and have fun along the way. So this [the World Championships] was never a part of it, but it’s a great bonus.”
Lyndal describes Ross as a “unicorn” who loves people.
“He’s adorable; he loves attention. He loves to feel confident and he loves to be with you,” she said.
“He’s a really fun horse to ride because he’s so passionate and loves the partnership. That’s a really fun thing with him because if you offer everything you have, he’ll give you everything he can in return, even if it’s overwhelming for him at that point.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Tales from Herning: From junior Europeans to Worlds – youngest rider in the field shines with long-term partner
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
H&H’s Herning horse of the day: Mount St John Kom Fairy Tale – the mare that shone for her pregnant rider
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Tales from Herning: Indian riders make history – with an Indian-bred horse and another who loves raspberries
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘The right side of chaotic and brilliant’: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour spearheads Danish charge to world team gold on home soil

Lucy Elder — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:50:12 +0000

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Vamos Amigos scored a magnificent personal best in front of a home crowd to seal team gold for Denmark at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships.
The duo entered the arena with a target of 80.636% to equal the British team’s leading mark of 234.223.
Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, was among the ground watching on as the combination produced a grand prix-topping mark of 81.86% in the World Dressage Championships results. As the score flashed up, Cathrine clutched her head with the realisation dawning at what she and the 10-year-old gelding had achieved.
“I’m head over heels,” said Cathrine, who co-owns Vamos Amigos with Sarah Pidgley. “My biggest highlight was the fact that I managed to ride on the limit and stay on the right side of chaotic and brilliant.”
This Vitalis gelding is an absolute powerhouse in a perfectly compact frame. His activity in every movement, particularly through the piaffe and passage, and effortless lightness through his seamless transitions lit up the arena. There was little to split the in-running trending scores of the Danish pair with provisional leaders, Britain’s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale (80.84%). The crowd erupted at their final halt, with the score on the screen showing 80.8%, before the final marks took the pair – and the Danish team – into the lead.
“I’m really used to this pressure because I’ve been doing championships since I was 11 years old. But of course, there’s pressure,” she said.
“I could hear the two ladies on the ground [Cathrine’s team-mates] They were really quiet and I was like, ‘Hey, ladies, we can do this’. I’m really good with that pressure. And it sounds weird, but it sort of just brings me even closer into the zone. Luckily today it just went super.
“He [Vamos Amigos] was on fire today, and I even stopped my entrance because I was like ‘Vamos, relax, I’m here. You have to touch the ground just once in a while. So we will turn around, and then we go’.
“It was fantastic. This is a world championship we were riding with the team, so it’s about taking calculated risks, but today, it went good.”
Winning gold – Denmark’s first team victory at a world championships – in front of a home crowd was a moment beyond words.
“It means a lot. It meant a lot just being in there,” she said. “The other day when we did the arena familiarisation, I felt so proud riding in there with [my teammates] Daniel, Nana, and Carina, because they are fantastic three riders, and they are my colleagues. That was really a moment to remember for me here.”
She shared her thanks to the supportive home crowd – “they rocked that arena” – and to another very special horse, Attherupgaards Cassidy, for his part in her achievement.
The 19-year-old gelding is in Herning this week for his official retirement ceremony and Cathrine said she owes him “everything”.
“I was actually quite nervous this morning,” she said. “Then I had a ride on Cassidy and I realised, ‘Okay, this is why I’m so good riding with the pressure’, because he was like, ‘come on, Mummy, now I’m saving the situation for you’. I had a fantastic journey down at the stable, and I was almost crying because it just made me realise that it’s because of him.
“He filled my rucksack with confidence and the belief that of course I can do it.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s the love of my life’: Ireland’s Abi Lyle sheds tears of pride for defining horse of her career on World Championship debut
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand rider scores ‘emotional’ personal best as nation fields first dressage World Championship team in 24 years
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

It’s SILVER for Britain at World Dressage Championships, as Denmark clinch gold on home soil

Polly Bryan — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:46:37 +0000

Great Britain have won team silver in the World Dressage Championships results, behind home team Denmark, who beat the Brits to the gold medal by just 1.2 points. The 2018 world champions Germany have claimed bronze, 3.43 points behind the British team.
It was nail-biting stuff as the final rotation of top riders took to the Stuttari Ask stadium in Herning, Denmark, and it was Britain’s Lottie Fry who really laid the pressure on the last few, with a sensational test on the 11-year-old championship first-timer Glamourdale, owned by Van Olst Horses. Lottie and Glammy wowed crowds and judges alike to score a personal best of 80.84%, charging to the top of the leaderboard and making Britain the team to beat – 10 years to the day the Britain won gold at the London Olympics in 2012.
“From the second we left the warm-up Glamourdale heard the crowd and he was just ready for it,” said Lottie, adding that her success still hadn’t really sunk in.
But it was Denmark’s darling, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who was always destined to be the protagonist of this championship, and she duly delivered, producing her own personal best score with the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos, who is owned by the British Pidgley family. The pair were foot perfect for 81.86%, securing the gold medal for Denmark – the country’s first ever dressage team gold.
Cathrine explained that ever since Denmark won the bid to host these World Dressage Championships, the team’s aim has been victory here.
“It means a lot just being in there, and I feel so proud to have Daniel, Nanna [Merrald Rasmussen] and Carina [Cassøe Krüth]as my colleagues. the feeling of being in a team that cool, is very nice,” she said.
The Danish team were the favourites going into the competition, and they lived up to the hype – their strength as a quartet is such that their discard score was Daniel Bachmann Andersen’s super 76.58% on Marshall-Bell.
Britain came to Herning with a lot less certainty surrounding their fortunes, with three horses who were competing on a championship team for the first time. Richard Davison and Bubblingh having got the ball rolling on day one, and Gareth Hughes raising British hopes with a very good grand prix on Classic Briolinca, despite having Covid, but there was a lot of pressure on Charlotte Dujardin and the very green nine-year-old Imhotep, who has completed just three grands prix in his life.
Luckily, Charlotte thrives on pressure, busting out a chunky 77.4%, before Lottie proved just what a cool customer she is as well.
With Cathrine and Lottie’s scores soaring to the top of the World Dressage Championships results, only Germany’s Frederic Wandres and the British-bred Duke Of Britain FRH had a realistic chance of disrupting the top two podium positions. He gave it a great shot on his senior team debut, with the 15-year-old Dimaggio gelding shining in the piaffe-passage, and although his 76.66% wasn’t enough to displace the British team, it was enough to secure Germany a very well-earned bronze.
“To come into the arena as the last German rider was something special,” said Frederic. “I never had that before. And to reach the bronze medal is like a dream come true for me, since I was a small kid.”
Just missing the medals was Sweden, who finished fourth in the World Dressage Championships results. They have however secured qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, along with the top three teams, plus the Netherlands in fifth and the USA in sixth.
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale mesmerise as Britain goes into the lead of the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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

Lottie Fry and Glamourdale mesmerise as Britain goes into the lead of the World Dressage Championships grand prix

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:20:55 +0000

Lottie Fry has delivered a masterclass to take the lead on 80.84% in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results – springing Britain to the top of the leaderboard.
Lottie and the striking 11-year-old stallion Glamourdale, owned by Van Olst Horses, had the crowd – and the judges – mesmerised from the moment they entered, earning nines for their first halt.
The pair’s test – which earned them a personal best at this level – was decorated with top marks, scoring six 10s for their canter work and earning gasps from the crowd. The first extended trot scored a handful of nines, and three judges awarded 10s for their superb two-time changes. The pirouettes lost a little balance, but they once again delivered in the extended trot, and went on to nail the final line. The crowd got behind them clapping as they made their final passage and piaffe and Lottie could be seen smiling – before their final halt, which scored more 10s.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in, I’m a little bit numb and speechless. I still need to take a look at that scoreboard and check that it’s mine!,” said Lottie.
“From the second we left the warm-up he heard the crowd and he was just ready for it. He was just taking me and his test felt incredible. There was small moments in the pirouettes which hopefully i can fix for tomorrow [for the grand prix special] for even more marks, but apart from that he was just on fire and loving it.”
Lottie said she and Glamourdale “were in a bubble” as they navigated the test, and when the audience clapping came the Lord Leatherdale son “rose to it”.
“When they started [clapping] it I wasn’t expecting it and then it came, and he came up a little on the poll and he was like ‘Oh wow, there’s people here!’. He loved it. I think I started smiling at that point,” she said.
Lottie Fy and Glamourdale scored a personal best in the grand prix at the World Dressage Championships (Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Lottie praised Glamourdale’s relaxed attitude to the bustling championships.
“He’s been such a pro. This is the furthest he’s ever travelled, the longest he’s been away in competition. It’s a lot of firsts for him. He’s still only 11, and a stallion, which makes everything more difficult but he’s taken it all in his stride,” she said.
“I think he realises why he’s here, he’s going to be very happy tonight.”
She added she received support from Charlotte Dujardin and Gareth Hughes ahead of her test.
“It’s a great team feeling and lots of support. It couldn’t have been better,” she said, adding the pressure “drives her to be better”.
“I need to do Glamourdale justice because everyone knows he’s amazing, so I have to show that I can let him be amazing. There is a lot of pressure riding him but it’s great. It’s a great team and partnership, and hopefully he loves me as much as I love him.”
The World Dressage Championships is Glamourdale’s first major championship, and he showed promise from an early age winning the seven-year-old title at the World Breeding Championships in 2019.
Britain now stands at the top of the leaderboard with the final riders still to come for the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. Richard Davison and Bubblingh’s 68.85% will be the British drop score. Charlotte Dujardin delivered 77.41% on Imhotep, and Gareth Hughes delivered 75.98% on Classic Briolinca.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The score hasn’t dampened my enjoyment’: Richard Davison on his World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s proved she’s a world-class horse’: Gareth Hughes keeps Britain’s medal hopes alive in the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Isabell Werth delivers powerful performance to shake up team standings ahead of final riders

Lucy Elder — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 15:32:57 +0000

Multiple gold medal winner Isabell Werth and championship debutant DSP Quantaz have helped defending champions Germany edge into the provisional lead in the team competition at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships in Herning.
Isabell and the 12-year-old stallion, owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer, scored 77.13% in the World Dressage Championships results today (7 August).
This horse’s passage is breath-taking. He has stepped into the fold following the retirement of Isabell’s top mares, her reigning world grand prix special title-holder Bella Rose 2 and Weihegold OLD, and stepped up to the mark as a championship horse.
“He has a really strong character and a strong mind and sometimes it’s super, sometimes it’s difficult to handle, especially as he is a stallion,” said Isabell, referring to recent competition experiences.
“That made me really focused here and in the preparations for Herning, and I think it helped a lot to learn the horse better and to prepare him better.”
There were no significant blips, though perhaps a smidge of tension crept into their collected walk. The Quaterback son’s one- and two-time changes were crisp and powerful, and the passage and piaffe on the final centreline was electric to watch – the crowd clapping them through the last moments of their test.
“I’m completely happy,” said Isabell. “Maybe I could take a [few] more risks, but I was [riding with context of the] team in the background. We really tried to make no mistakes and to do no mistakes and to really concentrate and focus.
“When you go in the individual, and then you can risk more.”
The judges were split. There was an almost five percent difference between the lowest and highest, which were 73.7% from the judge at H and 78.56% from the judge at B. Three judges had the pair in second, two in fourth, one fifth and one in 11th.
Their overall +77% mark put them just behind Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep and into provisional third.
Isabell, competing at her seventh World Championships, was part of the gold medal-winning side at the 2018 World Equestrian Games where she also took the individual special title with Bella Rose 2. Today’s performance with DSP Quantaz sets a strong charge for Germany to retain that team title.
The morning session on the final day of grand prix has delivered a full shake-up of the team standings. Last night, the Netherlands held the top spot, with Germany in silver and Denmark in bronze. Yesterday’s news is today’s chip paper, to paraphrase the saying.
Germany is now out in front on 154.13, Denmark is less than a mark behind in provisional silver on 153.587, while Britain hold bronze on 153.385. Less than a mark separating the top three teams at this stage, meaning the medals will come down to this fourth and final rotation of riders.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Now I can maybe turn it up’: 10-year-old gelding contains his enthusiasm to deliver another +76% for Denmark at World Dressage Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Charlotte Dujardin reunited with Tokyo superstar Gio for Christmas competition
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s the love of my life’: Ireland’s Abi Lyle sheds tears of pride for defining horse of her career on World Championship debut
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand rider scores ‘emotional’ personal best as nation fields first dressage World Championship team in 24 years
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘Now I can maybe turn it up’: 10-year-old gelding contains his enthusiasm to deliver another +76% for Denmark at World Dressage Championships

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 15:02:31 +0000

Danish rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen has strengthened the home side’s medal hopes in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships with a +76% in the grand prix.
Daniel contained the 10-year-old Marshall-Bell’s enthusiasm to deliver an impressive test, which put the combination into sixth in the World Dressage Championships results at this stage.
The Blue Hors Don Romantic son, who shone in Aachen last month finishing third in the grand prix freestyle, produced expressive half passes in the first stage of the test however lost a bit of energy in the first piaffe. He really relaxed into the extended walk, and although he became a little overactive in the latter passage and piaffe work – his enthusiasm worked well for the pair in the one and two-time changes. The pair finished on 76.58%.
“The feeling in there was absolutely fantastic,” said Daniel.
“I loved my ones, they were really good and soft – and he was really walking nicely today and settling good. The piaffe passage can be much more energetic but I liked overall that he was just with me listening all the way, that was a good start for the next day.”
Daniel, who was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the Europeans in Hagen last year, said Marshall-Bell has grown in confidence.
“He hasn’t done many shows, he’s still just 10 years old. We didn’t do the World Cup season last year because I didn’t want to that with a nine-year-old,” he said.
“He’s got more strength and become softer in the body now. The first day here he was a bit spooky so we really had the tactic today of slow it down and get a safe round. He surprised me how calm he was in there, I was thinking ‘Ok, come on’ – but it worked and he really listened. From now on I can maybe turn it up a little bit because there’s lots of power, it’s just being able to control it and get that soft feeling, because it can also tip a little bit the other way, then you get a mistake which we don’t want.”
Marshall-Bell was sold earlier this year to 22-year-old Israeli rider Nicola Ahorner but Daniel said the gelding will remain with him for the moment.
“I’ll keep riding him, and Nicola will fly in and train with me. Then we will make a show programme for Marshall and Nicola so they can start competing together,” he said.
“I’m so excited to join that journey as well. I’m also a trainer not just a rider, I like to teach and bring my knowledge further on, that makes me better.”
Medal favourites Denmark sit in a strong position at this stage in the World Dressage Championships results, with Nanna Merrald Rasmussen and Blue Hors Zack delivering 76.72% yesterday, and Carina Cassøe scoring 76.86% on Krüth Heiline’s Danciera. Cathrine Laudrop-Dufor will be last to ride for the team on Vamos Amigos at 7.18pm local time (6.18pm BST).
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He’s the love of my life’: Ireland’s Abi Lyle sheds tears of pride for defining horse of her career on World Championship debut
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Horses are not machines; I’m not mad at her’: USA rider has perfect response after disappointment at World Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Danish rider Nanna Merrald Rasmussen takes the lead in World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Highs and heartbreak: all you need to know from day one of the World Dressage Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘I absolutely love that horse’: Charlotte Dujardin’s superstar delivers in World Dressage Championships grand prix

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:09:07 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin has shot into second place in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results after Imhotep rose to the occasion on his championship debut in Herning.
Charlotte expertly guided the nine-year-old Everdale son – owned by Carl Hester and Coral Ingham – round the big arena and the pair were rewarded a 77.41% score.
Imhotep, known fondly as Pete, received some super marks in only his fourth ever grand prix. The combination delivered super clean transitions into the first passage and piaffe, with Pete demonstrating much exuberance. Although a little blip occurred as Pete initially struck off into canter onto the wrong leg, Charlotte kept him focused to deliver clean two-time changes. The canter pirouettes were kept neat and tiny, collecting eights from the judges and Pete looked relaxed as he really lit up the arena during the final extended trot.
Charlotte said she was “absolutely thrilled” with Pete, who only made his international debut in May.
“He’s come here, he’s done three grands prix before arriving – he’s a very inexperienced horse. I had no idea how he was going to be in there,” she said.
“I’ve done shows at home and one show abroad at Compiegne which had no real spectators as such, so for him to go in there and have the crowd and the buzz, I was just so proud of him. I had the one little blip, but it was just a miscommunication more than anything.”
While Pete looked focused and relaxed in the big arena, Charlotte admitted he was “a little bit scared”.
“I kept having to give him confidence,” she said. “You could see it with the sneezing, it was a lot for him in there on his own.
“In the last few days he’s been in there with other horses, then all of a sudden that horse left and he was like, ‘Hang on a second I’m going with you!” and I said ‘No no, you’re going this way.’ He kept going and that’s the main thing. I thought I’ve got to give him a nice round.”
Charlotte, who has ridden Pete since he was a seven-year-old, added the gelding makes her smile from “ear to ear” every day.
“I absolutely love that horse. He has so much power, so much expression. He wants to work every day, he just wants to please you. He never runs out of energy which I absolutely love. I know by day three he’ll still be going!” she said.
“He’ll get better and better and more and more confident. I trust him and he trusts me. In a year or two when he can manage all that power he’s going to be spectacular. I think he’s just an incredible horse and I’m so excited for the future.”
Charlotte’s score bolsters Britain’s chances, with the team currently in the lead on 153.39 in the World Dressage Championships results, although their main medal rivals still have their third riders to go. Yesterday Richard Davison and Bubblingh scored 68.85%, and Gareth Hughes followed this up with 75.98% on Classic Briolinca. The grand prix continues this afternoon with the last British combination, Lottie Fry on Glamourdale, due to take to the arena at 6.51pm local time (5.51pm BST).
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Highs and heartbreak: all you need to know from day one of the World Dressage Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s proved she’s a world-class horse’: Gareth Hughes keeps Britain’s medal hopes alive in the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘The score hasn’t dampened my enjoyment’: Richard Davison on his World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Blow for Ireland as team rider eliminated in World Dressage Championships grand prix *Updated*
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘He’s the love of my life’: Ireland’s Abi Lyle sheds tears of pride for defining horse of her career on World Championship debut

Lucy Elder — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 12:57:36 +0000

Ireland’s Abi Lyle was filled with pride for the “love of my life” Giraldo after their team test at the Ecco FEI World Championships. Their grand prix performance was rewarded with 65.71% in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results.
Herning marks the first senior championship for Northumberland-based Abi, 37, and her own “Arty”, who she has produced from a four-year-old.
The pair showed some lovely work, including a smart halt and rein-back, a flowing canter zig-zag and a real boldness in their extensions. There were a few mistakes – Arty jumped together behind in the penultimate change of their otherwise classy line of two-times and it was not their day in the one-time changes. But Abi could not have been prouder of the 11-year-old gelding, who made his international grand prix debut less than a year ago.
“I’m really happy with him. I can’t ask for any more,” said Abi, who threw her arms around Arty’s neck in a huge hug after cantering out of the arena following the final salute.
“He’s young, I’m not experienced at this, so yes – it would have been nice to come and get more like a score like we’ve been getting the rest of the season. But he’s never been anywhere like that, I’ve never been anywhere like this, so it’s just going to take time for us. And I love him more than anything in the world. I just adore him, he’s the love of my life. So to be able to do that….” she added, tears overwhelming her voice.
“I felt I had the perfect warm up, you just don’t know until you go in what it’s going to be like,” said Abi.
“I felt him sucking back a bit, and then everything was fine – I felt that all the trot was okay. The piaffe wasn’t so good but I was like, that’s fine, we will do our best. I had a late two-time change and then I missed my ones, but other than that I can’t really complain about anything.”
Abi, who hails from Bangor, County Down, was a “riding club rider” when she moved to England aged 24 and decided she wanted to have a crack at riding professionally. She has been training with Carl Hester for 11 years, who she credits as being a “massive influence”.
“He’s taken such good care of me,” she said.
Arty, a Rousseau son, out of a Flemmingh mare, was one of Abi’s first “proper” rides and the partnership has progressed through the levels together.
“He came to me as a four year old, then I bought him when he was six because the owner wanted to sell him. I was like,’ Well, he’s not going anywhere!’” she said.
“He was just backed when he came, so [he has been with me for] everything. I’m pretty lucky that the first horse I’ve trained, here we are. He’s so talented, light and reactive and easy in every way, but he has so much power – that’s the only thing that’s hard, is keeping it all in balance in the right places. Weirdly, I find riding him around the grand prix easier than I ever found riding at advanced medium.”
The final Irish rider, Anna Merveldt, will enter the arena at 5.46pm local time (4.46pm UK time), hoping to achieve a strong position among the World Dressage Championships results with the 13-year-old Pagao son Esporim, owned by Eleonore and Michael Higgins. This will be a counting score following Sorrell Klatzko and Turbo’s elimination yesterday.
Abi added that her thoughts, and those of the Irish squad, are with Sorrell.
“My heart goes out for her,” she said. There’s nothing you can say to make it better. It’s a bitter, bitter disappointment, but she’ll fight another day because that’s the kind of person that she is.”
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Ireland announces first championship dressage team since 2019 – four riders selected for Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
New Zealand rider scores ‘emotional’ personal best as nation fields first dressage World Championship team in 24 years
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Tales from Herning: From junior Europeans to Worlds –youngest rider in the field shines with long-term partner

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 10:58:23 +0000

Portuguese team rider Martim Meneres showed wisdom beyond his years as he made his debut at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships in Herning.
As the youngest competitor in the field aged 22, Martim and his long-term 13-year-old partner Equador produced a flowing grand prix test, nailing the one- and two-time changes, to score 69.05% and sit in 28th place.
Martim’s father bought the Lusitano stallion as a three-year-old for his son to produce. The pair have built a solid relationship together and worked their way up the ranks, competing at junior, young rider and senior European level. The World Dressage Championships marks their first worlds appearance, and their seventh championship together.
Martim, who has a number of grand prix wins under his belt with Equador, was pleased with his test and said the expressive stallion performed how he expected him to.
“It’s a dream to be at this championships for a professional rider, especially given my age it’s amazing to be here and be in this venue. I don’t really have the words to explain,” said Martim.
“Equador was very good and I’m happy with him. It’s amazing to take a horse from nothing as a three-year-old to a World Championships. We have a unique bond, and he’s a super relaxed horse. He loves to be in the ring and show himself off.”
The Portugese team currently sit on a score of 140.58, with their final rider Maria Caetano to ride Fenix De Tineo later today (7 August). The team medals will be awarded at the end of the day based on the grand prix scores. Three scores will count from each team, with teams of four dropping the lowest score.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Tales from Herning: Indian riders make history – with an Indian-bred horse and another who loves raspberries
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
World Dressage Championships day two: what time do Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry ride for Britain?
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

New Zealand rider scores ‘emotional’ personal best as nation fields first dressage World Championship team in 24 years

Lucy Elder — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 10:54:42 +0000

Melissa Galloway scored a new personal best on her senior championship debut to strengthen New Zealand’s hopes in the nation’s first team appearance at a World Dressage Championships in 24 years.
Melissa and Windermere J’Obei W were second into the arena on day two of the team competition at Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships in Herning (Sunday, 7 August), scoring 70.98% in the grand prix.
“I’ve had him since he was a rising two-year-old and we have just done everything together,” said Melissa, 29, who owns the Johnson TN gelding with Anne and Rodney Parkes.
“We’ve won a few championships in New Zealand and have slowly built our way up through the grades together. It makes me a bit emotional. It’s crazy to be here and I’m overwhelmed, actually.”
The bouncy 12-year-old chestnut set the tone with a solid start, springing comfortably through the trot half-pass and showing off his huge, elastic walk. The pair kept their cool through a minor blip in the canter strike off and from here on, the duo showed some of their best work. Their neat changes were a highlight, rewarded with 7.5s by the judges, and their final trot work upped a gear in power and activity.
The huge smile that grew on Melissa’s face as she soaked in the atmosphere and the achievement after finishing her test spoke more than words.
“I’m so happy with him, he was amazing,” she said, her voice choking with emotion after her test.
“He just felt so easy and peaceful and it was such a nice feeling. I was really happy with all of it, I felt an overall peace and harmony with him, I thought ‘it’s all good, he is in tune with me’.”
New Zealand last fielded a dressage World Championship team in 1998 and Melissa spoke of the significance of what it means to be riding as part of a squad in Denmark.
“It’s the best,” she said. “The whole team spirit, being able to do that for our country and actually to think about what we are doing for the future – for other young people that want to be on a team, I just think it is amazing.”
There was an anxious moment earlier in the week when the side’s third horse, Jax Johnson ridden by Gaylene Lennard, was not presented at the initial trot-up. They had the opportunity to present yesterday (Saturday) morning instead, and passed.
“Everyone is so supportive of each other,” said Melissa, adding they are “so excited” to watch Gaylene compete later today.
Japan’s Shingo Hayashi kicked off the second day with his Tokyo Olympic ride Scolari 4, scoring 67.87% in the World Dressage Championships results.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A bluffer’s guide to dressage at the 2022 World Championships in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The Horse & Hound Podcast 113: Lottie Fry | Herning World Championships preview | Festival of Hunting review
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Horses are not machines; I’m not mad at her’: USA rider has perfect response after disappointment at World Championships
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

‘He was difficult in the early days’: Carl Hester on Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, and what it’s like not to be riding in Herning

Polly Bryan — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 10:01:48 +0000

One of the horses at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships that is generating the most excitement is Carl Hester and Coral Ingham’s Imhotep, the young ride of Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin.
Charlotte and Imhotep will kick off their World Dressage Championships campaign later today, as they ride the grand prix at 1.35pm (12.35pm BST), and Carl is as excited as anyone to see Imhotep, known as Pete, in action.
“Pete is mega; we are so exited about Pete,” he told H&H. “Every day he gets better. He’s never been a disappointing horse and I don’t see how he can be with the effort he puts into everything. His joy for life and zest for going is just incredible. He just never, ever, gives in the towel – he’s up for it all the time.
“He is a perfect match for Charlotte with the way she rides, and she has a perfect partner in him as he relishes it, and gets stuck in to everything. He’s hot, and he’s on edge out here, but he’s so young we have nothing to expect.”
But Pete certainly proved challenging in the early years, after Carl bought him from the Netherlands as a youngster, on the strength of a video.
“He was difficult to stay on in the young days. You can see it in the way he moves, how whole body moves – when Pete used to buck he’d really go for it. You never quite trusted Pete in the beginning, but he’s met his match in Charlotte,” said Carl, adding that, to date, Charlotte has never fallen off Pete. “They decided to get married instead of getting divorced!”
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep during arena familiarisation at the World Dressage Championships 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Carl Hester has several roles here at the World Dressage Championships – owner, trainer and commentator on the FEI TV live stream – but, for the first time since 2008, he will not be riding on the British championship team, after his top horse En Vogue suffered an injury earlier in the season .
While he admits it does feel strange not to be riding, and is looking forward to campaigning for the team with En Vogue next year, he is relishing his new role for this year – and the lack of pressure that comes with being part of a team pushing for medals.
“I think of how I feel every year and what I don’t look forward to about being in a competition atmosphere with a team, because we all know how much it means to each other for things not to go wrong – three scores have to be very good nowadays to be in the zone we need to be in,” he explained.
“Of course, that’s what sport’s about – it’s supposed to stir your emotions and it’s supposed to like make you feel hopefully good nerves, but I’m not sure mine always have been [good]. So it’s actually really nice to get to bed at night and sleep and I’m enjoying watching. Of course it’s easy to watch, and it’s easier to do the congratulations and the commiserations, but it’s part of our great support network and that’s what I’m enjoying about it.
“But of course it is a different feeling. The only time I have gone a bit off course and have had a bit of a pang [for riding] was when we had a team photo and I remembered that I wasn’t on the team and I had to move.”
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
World Dressage Championships day two: what time do Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry ride for Britain?
Charlotte DUJARDIN (GBR) riding Imhotep during the arena familiarisation before the dressage competition starts at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning in Denmark between 6th - 14th August 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘We’re ready for the battle’: see the Brits in action in Herning ahead of World Dressage Championships kick-off
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
British dressage team likely to be without Carl Hester for the first time in 14 years
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s proved she’s a world-class horse’: Gareth Hughes keeps Britain’s medal hopes alive in the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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

World Dressage Championships day two: what time do Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry ride for Britain?

Polly Bryan — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 08:31:55 +0000

The second day of competition is about to get underway at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark, with the team medals due to be determined.
The Netherlands held the overnight lead, with Germany in silver and Denmark in bronze; Britain currently lie in fifth but there is all to play for, with many of the strongest combinations in the field set to compete today.
Yesterday Richard Davison got the ball rolling for Britain, followed up by a brilliant performance from Gareth Hughes. Today it is the turn of Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry to ride the World Dressage Championships grand prix, and they will ride at the following times:
Charlotte Dujardin on Imhotep: 1.35pm local time (12.35pm BST)
Lottie Fry on Glamourdale: 6.51pm local time (5.51pm BST)
Two Irish combinations will also be on action today, following disappointment for the team yesterday when Sorrell Klatzko was eliminated in her grand prix test. Catch the remaining Irish riders at the following times:
Abi Lyle on Giraldo: 12.50pm local time (11.50am BST)
Anna Merveldt on Esporim: 5.46pm local time (4.46pm BST)
There are plenty more top combinations to look forward to today as well, including:
Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen on Marshall-Bell: 3.47pm local time (2.47pm BST)
Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen on Dante Weltino: 3.56pm local time (2.56pm BST)
Germany’s Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz: 4.05pm local time (3.05pm BST)
The USA’s Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper: 4.14pm local time (3.14pm BST)
The Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens on Indian Rock: 7.09pm local time (6.09pm BST)
Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos: 7.18pm local time (6.18pm BST)
Sweden’s Patrik Kittel on Touchdown: 7.27pm local time (6.27pm BST)
Germany’s Frederic Wandres on Duke Of Britain FRH: 7.45pm local time (6.45pm BST)
The USA’s Adrienne Lyle on Salvino: 7.54pm local time (6.54pm BST)
It will be Japan’s Shingo Hayashi who gets the ball rolling aboard Scolari 4, entering the arena at 11am (10am BST). The final rider of the World Dressage Championships grand prix will be the USA’s Adrienne Lyle, who will begin her test on Salvino at 7.54pm (6.54pm BST).
Check out the full list of World Dressage Championships times:
Times in the order in which the riders go [PDF download]
Times by team [PDF download]
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A bluffer’s guide to dressage at the 2022 World Championships in Herning
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Netherlands lead halfway through team competition at World Dressage Championships, with Britain in fifth
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s proved she’s a world-class horse’: Gareth Hughes keeps Britain’s medal hopes alive in the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘Horses are not machines; I’m not mad at her’: USA rider has perfect response after disappointment at World Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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

‘Horses are not machines; I’m not mad at her’: USA rider has perfect response after disappointment at World Championships

Polly Bryan — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 06:53:45 +0000

There was drama and disappointment for the USA’s Ashley Holzer, who finished at the bottom of the World Dressage Championships results on day one in Herning. Ashley scored a very uncharacteristic 61.26% with the 12-year-old mare Valentine.
As the final rider of the day, Olympian Ashley, who was born in Canada but rides for the USA, made a great start to her test with the Sir Donnerhall daughter, but as they came into the piaffe, the mare got upset, rearing and then struggling to settle.
“She’s never seen a venue like this, so she came in nervous, but settled in to it,” said Ashley, who remained pragmatic about the situation. “The beginning of the test felt super, really flowing. So then it totally caught me off guard – she’s never done any antics like this. But as disappointed as I am, horses are not machines; she got scared and confused.”
Ashley went on to explain that the mare has such a big passage, and that she thinks she got tight and panicked when she was asked to collect into the piaffe.
“She was tight and I brought her back and she didn’t understand. But then she did the perfect canter tour!” rued Ashley.
“I know that Team USA took a chance on me as she is a green grand prix horse but when she is good she is absolutely brilliant. I feel I have let Team USA down but we do have a great team and they all just said to me, ‘Horses are horses’, and were so supportive.
“Now, I have to try to take her home and take her into a situation where there’s less atmosphere and run through it again in the calm. We’ll go at it again easily and slowly ramp up the passage again until she can piaffe from that animated passage. I have a very good relationship with her; now I have to give her confidence and get her to understand that I’m not mad at her.
“I’m going to go away and think instead of the great things that she did in there today.”
After the first day of the competition, the Netherlands lead the World Dressage Championships results, courtesy of Dinja van Liere and Hermes, who shot into the lead individually with a super test. The grand prix continues today (Sunday, 7 August).
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Blow for Ireland as team rider eliminated in World Dressage Championships grand prix *Updated*
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Highs and heartbreak: all you need to know from day one of the World Dressage Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Netherlands lead halfway through team competition at World Dressage Championships, with Britain in fifth
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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

Highs and heartbreak: all you need to know from day one of the World Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 19:54:23 +0000

The World Dressage Championships got off to a super start in Herning, Denmark, on Saturday, 6 August, with plenty of excitement and drama on day one of the grand prix.
The Netherlands currently hold the gold medal spot, as the team competition hits the halfway point, with Dinja van Liere heading the leaderboard on plus-78% with the 10-year-old Easy Game son Hermes.
Find what Dinja had to say about her super test: what she was pleased with and what she would like to improve
Meanwhile, Britain sit in fifth position at this stage of the World Dressage Championships, after a very good test from Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca left them sixth on the leaderboard.
Hear from Gareth as he chats about his test, and see which movement earned them a flurry of nines
Eventing legend Ingrid Klimke and team debutante Benjamin Werndl each scored a grand prix personal best put defending champions Germany into the silver medal position at this stage.
Discover what Ingrid had to say about her test – and the difference between dressage and eventing championships
Richard Davison and Bubblingh got the ball rolling for Britain earlier in the day, 20 years after Richard rode Bubblingh’s dam at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez.
Hear why Richard’s test here in Herning didn’t go quite to plan, and about the bond between the pair
There was great excitement as two Indian riders made World Dressage Championships history today.
Find out more about the two Indian riders in action in Herning, and what unusual food one of their horses loves to eat
Ireland got off to a positive start with Devon-based Alex Baker making her championship debut on Dutchman.
Check out what Alex had to say about her test, and what she was especially pleased with.
However, Ireland were dealt a blow later in the day as Sorrell Klatzko was eliminated close to the start of her test with Turbo
Find out why Sorrell was sadly eliminated in the grand prix and what she had to say about it afterwards
You may also be interested in…
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘A championship team is like a band’: Gareth Hughes on team dynamics and why the fourth rider is so important
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A bluffer’s guide to dressage at the 2022 World Championships in Herning
World Dressage Championships: who is going to bring home the medals?
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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

H&H’s Herning horse of the day: Mount St John Kom Fairy Tale – the mare that shone for her pregnant rider

Becky Murray — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 19:31:08 +0000

Mount St John Kom Fairy Tale lit up the stage as she made her championship debut with Finnish rider Stella Hagelstam at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships.
Stella has only had the ride on the 16-year-old mare, owned by Emma Blundell, for two and a half months after taking over the reins from Brit Amy Woodhead, who is expecting her first child. The mare was also formerly competed by Charlotte Dujardin.
Stella and the Finnish-bred Mount St John Kom Fairy Tale, known as Princess, scored 69.74% and sit in 16th place following the first day of the World Dressage Championships grand prix.
“It’s a very fresh partnership. I really love the horse,” said Stella.
“I have of course known all the time there is so much quality in her, but so far she has been quite tense inside the ring in most of her tests so I kept my hopes quite realistic. Then when I realised in the beginning that she was totally breathing I thought ‘Yay, now I can go!” and I could really start riding a little more. She was fantastic and I’m so happy.”
Stella explained the opportunity to take on the ride arrived when her own grand prix horse New Hill Julitrea was sidelined owing to injury.
“I know Emma Blundell really well and when my grand prix horse was injured last winter it looked like she probably wouldn’t be back in shape for this season,” she said.
“I spoke to Emma about some embryo transfer possibilities, and she said ‘Would you like to have Princess because Amy won’t be able to compete this summer’. I was like ‘Yes!’”
It could be said a special coincidence brought Stella and the mare together.
“Five years ago I bought an embryo transfer foal from her so I have a five-year-old son from Mount St John Kom Fairy Tale at home, which is so funny because I never knew the mother herself would also be at my stable one day. It’s a lovely coincidence,” said Stella.
“They are quite similar; she’s a hot horse but he is a little bit more relaxed. He’s a bit bigger, and has a lot of her qualities so I am expecting a lot from him in the future.”
At the moment the plan is Princess will go back to Emma after this season – and Amy is not the only rider waiting to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet.
“I am four and a half months pregnant.” revealed a delighted Stella.
You might also be interested in:
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Netherlands lead halfway through team competition at World Dressage Championships, with Britain in fifth
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
‘She’s proved she’s a world-class horse’: Gareth Hughes keeps Britain’s medal hopes alive in the World Dressage Championships grand prix
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Tales from Herning: Indian riders make history – with an Indian-bred horse and another who loves raspberries
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Latest from Horse & Hound in Dressage-world-championships

‘The undisputed king’: heartbreak as medal-winning horse put down after accident

Benjamin said the 15-year-old Farewell III x Welt Hit II gelding fractured a leg in the field.

“We don’t know exactly how it happened,” he said, adding that there was “no chance of it healing”.

Benjamin said his “world has collapsed”.

“He was so special. So intelligent, mischievous, playful, cheeky and sweet. And so talented. We still had so much to do, especially this year,” he said.

“He came to us in Aubenhausen at the age of seven. His owner Flora Keller entrusted him to me and I quickly realised that he was something very special.”

Benjamin said technical work was “very easy” for Famoso, so piaffe and passage soon became their “favourite lessons”.

“I will never forget this feeling on him, this lightness, this melting in the movement and this joy of walking,” he said.

Famoso made his international debut with Benjamin at the Mariakalnok CDI3* in Hungary, where they won the prix st georges. The following year Famoso stepped up to international grand prix.

The pair were selected for the German squad, and Benjamin said although “minor injuries set us back from time to time, they never stopped us”.

“2022 was our year; a dream come true for me. I had the feeling back then that he not only gave everything for me, but even more,” said Benjamin, who added that last year the pair had an “unintentional break”, but were ready to “attack again this year”.

“He was 15, in his prime and very fit. But things turned out differently,” he said.

Benjamin added that Famoso “always loved being the centre of attention”, and his groom Aniko granted his “every wish”.

“He was the undisputed king in my stable and made all the horses and people around him feel this in a loving and mischievous way,” said Benjamin.

“He really enjoyed his life in Aubenhausen and I would have loved to give him so many more years with us.”

You might also be interested in:

The secret weapon who helps dressage World Championships silver medallist Richard Davison…

“That groundwork is very important, very helpful and critical to his performance at shows.”

Richard Davison goes on to explain that his groom Heidi Troniseck will sometimes be alongside Bubblingh in the main arena at an event.

“Likewise sometimes when we’re allowed to train in the main arena, she will lead Bubblingh around the arena rather than me riding. So she’s putting him in that atmosphere, but there’s the association with her on the ground.

“It’s a very holistic job developing a competition horse – it’s all about what’s going on inside the horse’s mind.”

You might also be interested in:

Organisers praised as grooms put to the forefront at World Championships

“They stabled all the teams together, which is always really good at a championship. A WhatsApp group was created and the stable manager put any information we needed and there were at least three or four messages a day keeping us updated,” he told H&H.

“The restaurant was one of the best I’ve ever seen, this is my 12th championship in a row and the food was tip-top. They did fantastic buffets and supplied eco-friendly boxes so you could take food away, and there was always fresh fruit and salad available.”

Alan added that the recognition on the televised screen – each groom was pictured along with each horse and rider – “meant a lot”, and said the event was a “massive improvement” on previous ones he had been to.

“Herning did a really good job and the level of care for grooms is getting better, but it’s going to be keeping those standards up that’s difficult. The cost of living is creeping up, so it’s not going to be easy.”

The IGA, which launched at the end of April, met the Herning organising committee before the championships, and IGA executive director Lucy Katan told H&H she was “delighted” with their “forward-thinking approach”.

“Historically, many shows plan everything and then say, ‘and the grooms’, as kind of an afterthought, but that was not the case here. The organising committee really put the grooms at the forefront of their planning and it created such a different atmosphere of positivity,” she said.

Although the majority of feedback was very positive, some issues around accommodation were highlighted when some grooms had to share caravans with grooms from other nations.

The championships’ sport chief executive Jens Trabjerg confirmed to H&H the committee was “let down at the last minute” with the accommodation, but this was “solved” on 3 August. He added that the committee was “very pleased and proud of the many positive comments” they received.

Alan, who opted to stay in a horsebox with Gareth Hughes’ groom Steph Sharples, said the accommodation was a “bit of a problem” but the committee tried to resolve the issue.

“I feel for them that it went wrong on that level because everything else they were trying so hard to do right for us,” he said.

Lucy said the IGA “firmly believes” grooms should only be sharing with their own national federations, and will be highlighting this to the FEI. She would also like to see “minimum standards” set for grooms at FEI events.

“It was a big team effort with the organising committee, IGA and FEI working together in the build-up and throughout the championship to fulfil a shared vision whereby grooms got the recognition they fully deserved.”

The spokesman added there will be a “thorough debrief” with stakeholders, and the FEI will continue to liaise with the IGA on all matters regarding grooms.

You might also be interested in:

You won’t believe how many 10s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale scored at the World Championships…

0 – rails down by jumping medallists on the final day of individual competition

You may also be interested in…

The Horse & Hound Podcast 116: World Championships review and BSPS Championships preview

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 116

Listen now to other recent episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast…

Carl Hester on the World Dressage Championships: ‘A mind-blowing competition’

“Huge shoes to fill”

“Edge of my seat”

You may also be interested in…

Re-watch Lottie Fry and Glamourdale’s breathtaking World Championship freestyle

Lottie Fry freestyle: watch it again

Lottie Fry freestyle: which music did she use?

Lottie Fry freestyle: how she scored

Overall, Lottie and Glamourdale scored an impressive 90.65% from the seven judges, who were located around the arena.

But to delve deeper into the marks they were awarded, here is a full breakdown for you to devour.

You might also be interested in:

‘Every child begins the world again’: Olympic champion gives birth while watching her brother ride at Herning World Championships

“Yes, she’s here,” said Jessica. “ I watched my brother’s phenomenal performance from the maternity room yesterday evening.”

“Every child begins the world again,” Jessica later posted on social media as she announced the birth, quoting philosopher and poet Henry David Thoreau.

She has already got home to her Aubenhausen base, and introduced Ella Marie to the horses, including her top mare, the Easy Game daughter TSF Dalera BB.

“So damn proud of you and Famoso. Riding one personal best after the other at your first championship at seniors level is just crazy,” Jessica said in support of her brother after the grand prix special.

Following Benjamin’s brilliant freestyle performance for 85.89% she said: “There were so many wonderful goosebumps moments, every day you outdid yourselves again. And this is just the beginning.

“I am incredibly proud of my brother Benjamin, Famoso, his owner Flora Keller, Aniko Hornik – representing our whole team in Aubenhausen and all coaches (equestrian, fitness or mental), physiotherapists, vets, farriers… simply all who belong to it!”

You may also be interested in…

We are the champions! Celebrating the world medallists in Herning

World Dressage Championship medals

World Showjumping Championship medals

World Para Dressage Championship medals

Individual grade IGold: Rihards Snikus on King Of The Dance (LAT)Silver: Sara Morganti on Royal Delight (ITA)Bronze: Michael Murphy on Cleverboy (IRL)

Individual grade IIGold: Katrine Kristensen on Goerklintgaards Quater (DEN)Silver: Pepo Puch on Sailor’s Blue (AUT)Bronze: Sir Lee Pearson on Breezer (GBR)

Individual grade IIIGold: Tobias Thorning Joergensen on Jolene Hill (DEN)Silver: Natasha Baker on Keystone Dawn Chorus (GBR)Bronze: Rebecca Hart on El Corona Texel (USA)

Individual grade IVGold: Sanne Voets on Demantur RS2 N.O.P. (NED)Silver: Demi Haerkens on EHL Daula (NED)Bronze: Rodolpho Riskalla on Don Henrico (BRA)

Individual grade VGold: Michèle George on Best of 8 (BEL)Silver: Sophie Wells on Don Cara M (GBR)Bronze: Frank Hosmar on Alphaville N.O.P. (NED)

TeamGold: NetherlandsSilver: DenmarkBronze: USA

Freestyle grade IGold: Sara Morganti on Royal Delight (ITA)Silver: Rihards Snikus on King of the Dance (LAT)Bronze: Michael Murphy on Cleverboy (IRL)

Freestyle grade IIGold: Katrine Kristensen on Goerklintgaards Quater (DEN)Silver: Sir Lee Pearson on Breezer (GBR)Bronze: Georgia Wilson on Sakura (GBR)

Freestyle grade IIIGold: Tobias Thorning Joergensen on Jolene Hill (DEN)Silver: Lotte Krijnsen on Rosenstolz (NED)Bronze: Natasha Baker on Keystone Dawn Chorus (GBR)

Freestyle grade IVGold: Sanne Voets on Demantur RS2 N.O.P. (NED)Silver: Kate Shoemaker on Quiana (USA)Bronze: Rodolpho Riskalla on Don Henrico (BRA)

Freestyle grade VGold: Michèle George on Best of 8 (BEL)Silver: Frank Hosmar on Alphaville N.O.P. (NED)Bronze: Sophie Wells on Don Cara (GBR)

You may also be interested in…

The Horse & Hound Podcast 115: World Dressage Championships & Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe review