In his latest exclusive magazine column, Carl Hester pays a personal tribute to the lives of stable stars Valegro and Uthopia

Anyone who has horses – or any animals – knows that even when you see the end coming, it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s not only the horses’ owners, riders and grooms who have looked after them, but their vets who all have to come to terms with when the time is right.

Many wonderful memories have already been shared in their tributes, but there are a few stories I’d like to tell in memory of our beloved Blueberry (Valegro) and Uti (Uthopia).

One is a vision of Blueberry in New York’s Central Park, standing in the midst of a crowd, a throng of adoring fans, which was one of the most surreal sights you could ever imagine.

He was one in a million, able to handle fame with ease, always remaining calm and peaceful. There are many remarkable stories too of Blueberry bringing joy to terminally ill children behind the scenes.

Another special memory was when the late Hannah Francis visited. Very ill by then, she arrived at the yard on crutches, thinking she was only going to meet Blueberry. Instead, she rode him – not just at walk, but at trot and canter. We were all reduced to tears as her excitement grew.

I have many pictures of Blueberry meeting royalty. The late Queen Elizabeth II was a huge fan. Her delight in meeting him at Windsor in 2019 is forever etched in my memory.

An unknown story until now was when the then Crown Princess of Denmark (now Queen Mary) came to visit Blueberry for her 50th birthday. Her car arrived flanked by outriders, she got out to meet him, then stayed for lunch! It was one of those pinch-me moments.

Blueberry did six years of championships, winning gold at every single one, plus back-to-back World Cup Final titles in 2014 and 2015. His next years were spent hacking with friends, teaching my students and being visited by countless fans.

This past year, Blueberry and his bestie, Uti, were fully retired from being ridden and spent the summer here in the fields at Oakelbrook.

“A silent gentleman”

I can only describe Uti as a silent gentleman. As I’ve said before, this horse made my career complete.

He was always a horse in a good mood and happy to let his best mate take the limelight. With his generous performance and that amazing extended trot, he contributed to our team’s success. He was the linchpin of the team and started the upward trajectory for British dressage.

Difficulties with ownership issues seem like a lifetime ago. To the fairy godmother who stepped in to purchase him so he could spend his life here – and who has remained a silent partner and friend throughout eight years of Uti’s retirement and who will continue to be so – I will be forever grateful.

Although Uti wasn’t in high demand as a breeding stallion, some of his babies are now reaching the higher levels and have inherited his unique personality, talent and looks. His legacy will live on.

Uti’s appearance at the London International Horse Show alongside one of his up-and-coming offspring, Henriette Andersen’s Marley, was a special moment.

Even at 22, he hadn’t lost the famous extended trot as he made his final centre line, beautifully piloted by Amy Woodhead, who learned her grand prix craft on him after retirement.

Blueberry and Uti were inseparable, having travelled the world in their international careers, and I had their retirement stables sited so they could always see and touch each other. Uti was incredibly kind as a stallion. He and Blueberry rubbed along side by side.

Now cremated, they are back home with me and come the spring, I’ll be planting two trees in their memory. They will be part of Oakelbrook Mill for ever, together.

It was comforting to receive thousands of messages and to see Blueberry’s legacy statue in Newent covered with wreaths from all over the world. To all well-wishers, a huge thank you from myself, Blueberry and Uti’s owners, Alan Davies and everyone who has looked after them as their own throughout their lives.

Happy Christmas,

Carl

● Do you have a favourite memory of Valegro or Uthopia? We would love to hear from you at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your thoughts to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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You might also be interested in:

Valegro and Uthopia’s unremarkable beginnings on their way to stardom

‘Their legacy will shape British dressage for decades’: equestrian world remembers Valegro and Uthopia

‘Like a symphony; every note was so beautiful’: Olympic dressage judge pays tribute to Valegro and Uthopia

‘It was an honour’: Alan Davies pays tribute to dressage superstars Valegro and Uthopia

Heartbroken farewell to beloved superstars Valegro and Uthopia who created dressage’s golden era

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

In this extract from H&H dressage editor Oscar Williams’ four-page magazine tribute to the horses who reshaped British dressage and gave us so much more than medals, he looks back at how both horses found their way to Carl Hester’s yard...

Uthopia was never meant to be the star of anyone’s yard. Dutch producer Ivonne Lawrence had gone to see a different horse when she spotted a small black three-year-old with a chewed tail watching her from the corner of a barn. He’d been sat on a handful of times, but the moment she rode him, his power was unmistakable.

“I’ve never felt a horse like it,” Ivonne said. “He had so much suspension it was like a trampoline, and cantering him felt like shooting off to the moon.”

Around the same time, a cobby bay colt, who’d go on to be the greatest dressage horse of all time, was not accepted at his KWPN stallion grading. Valegro didn’t match the tall, modern type the judges wanted, but he caught Carl Hester’s eye.

“I was staying with Anne and Gertjan van Olst in the Netherlands, and Anne suggested we go to watch the grading – I’d never experienced one before,” recalls Carl.

“Gertjan had five or six young horses going through, one of which was Valegro. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and his canter. He was quite small – he always had that chunkiness and strength about him, with the head of a duchess and the bottom of a cook.

“He wasn’t accepted, so he went out with the others to be sold. When Anne and I went to see him afterwards, he had such a charming, grown-up look about him.”

Valegro wasn’t expensive, and once he’d been gelded, he arrived at Carl’s yard in Gloucestershire. But he didn’t look like a future champion. He was small, strong and not the type Carl imagined himself riding at grand prix.

“I said to Anne, ‘I’m going to bring him back, and we’ll find him another home,’” Carl explained.

Carl returned Valegro to the Van Olsts on his way to a five-day show in the Netherlands. The plan was to leave him there and move on. But as Carl was driving back towards the UK, Anne advised him to think again.

“So I stopped there again on the way back and Valegro got back on the lorry. He ended up just having a five-day holiday in the Netherlands,” Carl laughed.

How Carl found Uthopia

Whereas Valegro entered Carl’s life almost by accident, Uthopia was never intended for him at all.

Back at the Athens Olympics, Irish event rider Sasha Stewart had joked to Carl that she wanted to be a dressage rider “when I grew up”. So on a later shopping trip to the Netherlands, Carl was looking for a horse for each of them.

“Uthopia was the first horse I saw when I got off the plane in Amsterdam,” Carl said. “I had one quick sit on him and although he was very small, he was so bouncy, energetic and sweet. I thought he’d be perfect for Sasha.

“I rang her and said, ‘As it’s the first one I’ve seen, you can have him, and I’ll find something bigger for me.’ I never did.”

Uthopia headed to Ireland with Sasha. “He threw me off the first day!” she recalled. “He did this extravagant pirouette and I just plopped off like a total beginner. Then he galloped around my property and jumped a huge hedge with all his tack on. I thought, ‘Oh good, he jumps too.’”

Soon after, Sasha became pregnant, so Uthopia went to Carl’s yard in Gloucestershire – and from those unremarkable beginnings, the two horses found themselves side by side, the start of a stablemate partnership that would redefine British dressage.

To read the full four-page tribute to these remarkable horses, plus reactions to their passing from top names in the horse world, pick up a copy of Horse & Hound magazine, in shops from Thursday 11 December

• To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘Their legacy will shape British dressage for decades’: equestrian world remembers Valegro and Uthopia

‘Like a symphony; every note was so beautiful’: Olympic dressage judge pays tribute to Valegro and Uthopia

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Celebrating Uthopia, Carl Hester’s small but mighty stallion who propelled Britain into the dressage stratosphere

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The equestrian community is remembering Valegro and Uthopia – the much-loved dressage powerhouses who gained fans worldwide.

Following the announcement on 1 December of their passing, there has been an outpouring of love as people shared happy memories of what made them so special.

Valegro’s co-owner Rowena Luard said she was “smitten” at first sight.

“My first glimpse of Valegro was at one of his early young horse shows. I was smitten. Carl asked me if I might like to be part of Valegro’s future and it was the easiest decision of my life,” she told H&H.

“He was a small horse but had such presence. I loved his beautiful, elegant face and kind eye. It was when we started doing the shows with him that you saw our little boy transform into this elegant powerhouse. It was definitely the crowd that elevated him. He just loved to perform.”

Rowena said watching Valegro break records was “such a privilege, but almost just as satisfying was the effect he had on everyone. He was such a gentleman. So kind, so patient. He was a true equine rockstar,” she said.

“His journey to global stardom was enabled by a phenomenal team of people from the early days whose hard work and passion really made it all happen. Chef d’equipe Dickie Waygood and Richard Davidson were our heroes, as was Will Connell of British Equestrian. The vets and masseuse who travelled with him everywhere ensured our athlete was in top top shape at all times.

“Haydn Price, the British team farrier, was a huge support and with whom I held hands at most of the competitions as I was so nervous. Alan of course, our supergroom and super personal assistants Claudine and Katie, who handled all of the logistics and mountains of paperwork. Anne Barrott joined the team as another co-owner and we so loved following the global adventures of Team Valegro. It was incredible to witness such a team of consummate professionals working so tirelessly to achieve our dreams.”

A British Dressage spokesperson said Valegro and Uthopia “leave legacies that will shape British dressage for decades to come”.

“Their hoofprints may have faded from the competition arena, but the mark they left on our sport is indelible,” said the spokesperson.

“Though different in personality and way of going, Valegro and Uthopia were united by the principles that brought them to greatness. Together, they brought our sport to new audiences, reshaped the public’s understanding of dressage, inspired a generation and demonstrated that outstanding performance is built on kindness and trust.”

British Dressage chief executive Jason Brautigam said it was “these two legends” that led to him being in his role.

“The incredible performances of Uthopia and Valegro at London 2012 will live long in the memory of all equestrian fans. It was such a special occasion and was transformational for the sport in Great Britain. It was the moment that dressage captured the hearts and minds of the public, and I was no exception,” he said.

“It was an absolute privilege to see Valegro win gold again in Rio. An experience I will personally cherish forever.”

Mr Brautigam added “but most importantly, these two horses redefined dressage”.

“Their beautiful, gentle souls, relaxed temperament, and seemingly effortless ability in the arena heralded a new era. Their wonderful partnerships with Carl and Charlotte showcased the best of our sport,” he said.

“As any visitor to Carl’s yard would agree, spirits were always lifted by the sight of these two companions enjoying their well-earned retirement in the paddock. Now, they are sadly no longer with us, but we should take comfort that they remained inseparable to the end.”

Six-time Badminton winner Lucinda Green was “incredibly spoiled” to have a lesson on Valegro.

“I set across the diagonal in medium trot and I could hardly sit there – it was such power,” she told H&H. “He was an absolute sweetheart to ride, he was such a lovely person.”

Lucinda remembers Valegro’s London 2012 freestyle, where he and Charlotte scored 90.09% for individual gold.

“The music along with Big Ben was the most striking thing. Valegro held his own and it was wonderful.”

Lucinda said what Carl and Uthopia and Charlotte and Valegro achieved was “phenomenal”.

“The pair of them, they were just iconic. And I think it’s lovely that they’ve both gone off to fly with the angels together.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘It was an honour’: Alan Davies pays tribute to dressage superstars Valegro and Uthopia

‘Like a symphony; every note was so beautiful’: Olympic dressage judge pays tribute to Valegro and Uthopia

‘You are still so loved’: Charlotte Dujardin pays farewell tribute to her world record-breaking partner Valegro

Heartbroken farewell to beloved superstars Valegro and Uthopia who created dressage’s golden era

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

Top British judge Isobel Wessels, who was on the panel at all of Valegro’s record-breaking performances, has remembered him and Uthopia for their talent and characters – and putting Britain on the world stage.

The international rider, trainer and five-star judge has paid tribute to the much-loved pair following the announcement on 1 December that they had been put down.

Isobel described Valegro (Blueberry) and Uthopia (Uti) as being “both such complete horses”.

“When you judged them they both had clearly been so well trained and were so willing. It was the beginning of all of this wonderful harmony we talk about now. Those two, coming with Carl and Charlotte, they started the ‘pole’ rolling so to speak,” Isobel told H&H.

“We’d seen lovely combinations in the past, but these horses just always gave me the feeling that they were happy in their job. They loved what they did, and they did it with such ease and willingness. They both just got better and better, and that isn’t always the case with horses.”

Uthopia and Valegro first made their mark at the European Dressage Championships at Rotterdam in 2011, under Carl and Charlotte, helping deliver Britain’s first European team gold medal – alongside teammates Laura Tomlinson and Mistral Hojris and Emile Faurie and Elemegardens Marquis. It was at this competition that Uthopia came to the forefront, taking individual silver, behind the Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Pazival.

“Uti was just like a little powerhouse. He came across as being not a huge mover, but his extended trot just came out of something inside him. There was this willingness,” she said.

“He wasn’t the biggest horse in stature, but the way Carl trained him, it was every other moment one was thinking ‘Wow, where did that come from?’. I’ll never forget in Rotterdam when he got all 10s for his extended trot. He was small but mighty. That was the beginning of this power pair coming up, that was their first step.”

Isobel said Valegro was “such an enormous character”.

“Blueberry was like a big rubber ball; just so talented but he had this character and personality. When you sat on the side of the arena judging he, he grabbed you,” she said.

“I’m so proud that I was on the jury of all his record-breaking scores for the grand prix, special and freestyle. I feel very honoured my name was on all those test sheets.”

Isobel added that judging Valegro and Uthopia made her job very enjoyable.

“Horses that have some spectacular moments are of course wonderful to observe and judge, but when you have this complete horse, which they both were, it was like a symphony. Every note was so beautiful,” she said.

“There was no struggle, it was just a natural easygoing picture, where the horses blossomed and became more and more because of who they were and their wonderful training.”

Isobel said that Valegro and Uthopia “put Britain on the world stage”.

“It’s been the showcase of our traditional and worldly respected horsemanship and ability,” she said.

“I think with those horses, it was just like: ‘Bang, here we are on the world stage – look out, Britain’s coming’.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘It was an honour’: Alan Davies pays tribute to dressage superstars Valegro and Uthopia

‘You are still so loved’: Charlotte Dujardin pays farewell tribute to her world record-breaking partner Valegro

Heartbroken farewell to beloved superstars Valegro and Uthopia who created dressage’s golden era

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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

Top groom Alan Davies has paid tribute to Valegro and Uthopia, the superstar horses he lovingly cared for throughout their competition careers.

On Monday (1 December) Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin announced that Valegro (Blueberry) and Uthopia (Uti) had been put down, aged 23 and 24 respectively.

Alan was head groom to Carl and Charlotte from 2011 to 2023 and accompanied them to all of their international competitions and championships, forming close bonds with Blueberry and Uti.

“They were both phenomenal. It was an amazing journey no one could predict; the stories, and the competitions and the experiences that we had with them were unbelievable,” Alan told H&H following the news this week.

Alan said Blueberry and Uti were stabled next to each other on the yard and grew up together.

“As they started to do grand prix they would travel together. In 2011 they were both on the team at the Europeans in Rotterdam, then they were together at the London Olympics, then they went to the Europeans in Herning in 2013. They were great mates, it was lovely,” he said.

Alan Davies on Valegro: “The kindest horse”

Alan described Blueberry as “magnetic”.

“He was such a gorgeous character and everyone was drawn to him. He was so trusting, he trusted me to take him round the world on trains, planes and automobiles. We went to 10 different countries and travelled 75,000km together,” said Alan.

“He was such a showman, he knew when he went in the arena everyone was watching him. Then when he was out of the arena he would relax and switch off. He was a real lads’ lad, you could imagine him on the couch with a packet of crisps and pint of beer wanting to watch the football. There was no stress with him, he was so lovely to have at shows and at the stables.”

Blueberry amassed adoring fans worldwide.

“Whenever we did a meet and greet with him he would make sure he spoke to everyone, he’d put his head into the crowd and he never spooked or moved away,” said Alan.

“He was so gentle with kids. We would have people visit through Willberry Wonder Pony and I could open the stable door and he would talk to them so gently with his head in their hands. He had this amazing aura about him, it sounds cliché to say that, but he really did.”

Alan Davies on Uthopia: “A superstar in his own right”

Alan described Uti as a “phenomenal performer”.

“Uti was a cheeky chappy, and occasionally at trot-ups he might stand on his back legs to make sure everyone was paying attention, but he was never any bother,” said Alan.

“He never demanded attention. He was very kind, and when Valegro started to become the celebrity that he was, Uti was never offended. When people came to meet Valegro he wouldn’t bang the door or demand attention, he would stand looking beautiful. He had the most beautiful face and disposition and he would wait with his ears pricked as if to say, ‘It’s ok, they’ll come and speak to me in a minute’.

“He never took offence about being the bridesmaid, but he was an absolute superstar in his own right. He was only tiny really, but he rose to the occasion every time in the arena. People were always astounded when they met him how small he was – when you saw him doing his test he had such incredibly big elastic movements.”

Swarovski crystals and the Rio Olympics

Alan has many happy memories of both horses.

“I remember we went to the Swarovski show in Austria running up to London 2012. It was still Blueberry’s first year in grand prix, but he and Charlotte won the grand prix and Carl and Uti were second,” said Alan.

“Carl came out the next day for the grand prix special determined that he wasn’t going to be beaten, and they did the most incredible test. They won, and Charlotte and Blueberry were second. Uti was literally floating on air. He won a beautiful rug covered in Swarovski crystals and I treasured that rug for many, many years. It was his pride and joy.”

Alan said “there were so many highlights” with Valegro.

“Going to the Rio Olympics there was so much pressure on everyone because Blueberry was going to try to regain his Olympic title. The eyes of the world were watching, and he didn’t mind at all,” said Alan.

“He went into the arena and said ‘Hold my beer, I’ve got this. Don’t panic, we’re on it.’ And he did the most beautiful test.”

Another favourite memory of Alan’s was being H&H guest editor and his front cover with Valegro in April 2020.

“Being on the front cover with him was a major thing in my life,” said Alan. “My mother was my biggest supporter and she had H&H with me on the front cover by her bed at all times. She used to show all the nurses at her hospice and she kept it next to her bed until her dying day.

“She wasn’t horsey at all, but that horse crept into everyone’s heart. I don’t know how he did it. He just had this incredible magnetism, I can’t put it into words.”

Alan said “I don’t think we’ll see another horse like Valegro”.

“Not in my lifetime,” he said.

“He was unique, the performances he did. How he trusted me, he always had his ears pricked and a smile on his face. For an animal of that calibre to do that, it was an honour to have that journey with him.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Heartbroken farewell to beloved superstars Valegro and Uthopia who created dressage’s golden era

‘You are still so loved’: Charlotte Dujardin pays farewell tribute to her world record-breaking partner Valegro

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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

There is an “emptiness in the air” in the yard, Carl Hester said, as superstars Valegro and Uthopia have been put down, aged 23 and 24 respectively.

The legendary horses, who with Carl and Charlotte Dujardin changed the face of British dressage and “gave our sport a golden era”, were the best of friends throughout their lives; Carl said letting them go together was “the final act of loyalty and dignity I felt I could give them”.

“Sleep well Blueberry and Uti, two of the greatest horses of our generation,” he said.

“It is with immense sadness that we have said goodbye to Valegro and Uthopia and without question, this is a loss that just feels hard to comprehend.

“Trying to write a tribute to these two horses feels harder than I imagined. The yard just doesn’t feel the same without them, there’s an emptiness in the air.”

Valegro and Charlotte together won three Olympic gold medals; team and individual in 2012 and individual in 2016, when the team won silver. They won individual world gold in 2014, European gold in 2013 and 2015, and back-to-back World Cup Final titles – and broke just about every dressage record going.

Carl and Uthopia were also on the team that won Olympic gold in 2012; they also took team and European gold and individual silver in 2011 and team bronze in 2013.

“Valegro and Uthopia did more than win medals and write history, they gave our sport a golden era,” Carl said. “They both showed that greatness can be gentle, sensitive and harmonious and they made a nation proud and inspired so many.

“Being part of their journey will always remain one of my proudest achievements and the whole team and myself are deeply grateful for the joy they gave to us at home but also to their fans around the world.

“Their entire lives ran in parallel; they travelled to the shows side by side, lived in neighbouring stables, grazed in the same fields and retired together. Their bond and companionship were absolute.”

Carl said that as their years advanced, so too did their health challenges.

“So allowing them to leave this world together was the final act of loyalty and dignity I felt I could give them, honouring a partnership that had never been separated in life,” he said.

“They leave behind a huge void, and the yard has changed for ever and so have we. They were our family and I will love and miss them always. The impact they had will remain but sadly, we don’t get to keep horses forever.

“We only get to carry what they leave inside us. And these two left us so much.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Celebrating Uthopia, Carl Hester’s small but mighty stallion who propelled Britain into the dressage stratosphere

‘You are still so loved’: Charlotte Dujardin pays farewell tribute to her world record-breaking partner Valegro

‘They still know how to own the arena’: watch Valegro and Uthopia strutting their stuff in retirement

Carl Hester on double gold medallist Uthopia: ‘he feels like he’s 11, not 19’

Take a look at Carl and his 19-year-old London Olympics mount continuing to strutt their stuff at home

Uthopia: like you’ve never seen him before…

There's no doubting that Olympic dressage gold-medallist Uthopia is a much-loved personality in the equestrian world. But a new photo

Making the hardest decision when you care for an elderly bonded pair of horses

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It’s not an exaggeration to say that Uthopia was the launchpad to Britain realising – after a lengthy medal drought – that team gold was within reach. Uthopia and Carl Hester stepped up to top level in 2010 and, just a year later, won the grand prix at the European Championships with 82.5%.

Until then, British gold was a pipe dream. Such has been Britain’s subsequent success that it’s hard to remember just how unlikely it seemed for so long. And that’s thanks, in large part, to a small black stallion who bounced like a pogo stick – and continues to thrive in retirement at Carl’s at the age of 24.

“Uti” was bred in the Netherlands and bought as a rough-and-ready three-year-old with a chewed tail by Dutch young horse producer Ivonne Lawrence, who had gone to view another horse.

“There was this little miniature horse looking at me with his beautiful face,” says Ivonne. “Uthopia was very small and had only been under saddle five times, but I sat on him and in my whole life I’ve never felt a horse like it. He had so much suspension it was like a trampoline, and cantering him felt like shooting off to the moon.”

Based on that exceptional feeling, Ivonne put concerns over his size aside. Uti was easy to train; if he learnt something once, he never forgot it. The pair finished seventh in the Pavo Cup final for four-year-olds and, although she was reluctant to sell the little guy, she forced her business head to overrule her heart and put him on the market. Step forward Carl Hester, shopping for a client.

How Uthopia landed with Carl Hester

Back at the Athens Olympics in 2004, Sasha Stewart was eventing for Ireland.

“I met Carl and told him I wanted to be a dressage rider when I grew up,” she says.

So, on a shopping trip to Holland, he was looking for a horse for each of them.

“Uthopia was the first horse I saw when I got off the plane in Amsterdam,” says Carl. “I had one quick sit on him and although he was very small, riding him was like jumping on a trampoline. He was so bouncy, energetic and sweet. I thought he’d be perfect for Sasha.

“I rang her and said, ‘As it’s the first one I’ve seen, you can have him and I’ll find something bigger for me.’ I never did.”

Sasha adds: “When I tried Uthopia I said, ‘He’s amazing, I love him, I’m taking him home.’”

A deal was struck and Uti went to Ireland.

“He threw me off the first day,” she admits. “He did this extravagant pirouette and I just plopped off like a total beginner, which was a surprise. Uti then galloped around my property and jumped a huge hedge with all his tack on. I thought, ‘Oh good, he jumps as well.’”

Soon after, Sasha became pregnant, so Uti went to Carl’s yard in Gloucestershire and hit the competition scene under Matt Frost. The pair won 10 of their first 11 starts, logging an 80% at novice level and standing regional champions at elementary. Carl rode him in young horse classes.

“He was just gorgeous and won everything,” says Carl. “His walk wasn’t the best, but he’d get nines and 10s to make up for it. He was incredibly easy to train.”

Carl’s long-time groom Alan Davies also fell for the compact stallion.

“He’s got the most divine character and he’s not stalliony at all,” says Alan. “I adore him and I often got into trouble for spending too much time with him.”

Carl and Uthopia’s one year at small tour, in 2009, raked in the prix st georges, the inter I and the inter I freestyle titles at the national championships. The following spring, Carl was heading to the Spanish Sunshine Tour and put Uti – then nine – on the lorry “for fun”. That trip resulted in four plus-71% wins from four starts at grand prix.

Uthopia and Carl Hester: “Like riding a computer, I just steered”

In 2011, at the picturesque venue of Fritzens in Austria, Uthopia found a new gear and aced the grand prix special, cracking 80% at the level for the first time. Valegro was just behind on 76% at his third FEI show.

“At Fritzens I got my first-ever 10,” recalls Carl. “Suddenly everyone was saying, ‘Wow, what a gorgeous horse.’ I was so used to riding him, I hadn’t really noticed.”

And given Valegro’s astronomic rise, it’s easy to see how Uthopia’s brilliance was shrouded as Carl poured everything into his protégée Charlotte Dujardin and her budding star. A month later, selection for the upcoming Europeans was hotting up and Carl headed to Hickstead with Uti.

“The breakthrough show was Hickstead in 2011,” says Carl, who once again topped 80% to win the grand prix. “There I met my first big gun in Parzival and beat him. Suddenly everyone realised we could actually win the Euros; it all happened so fast.”

Everything changed at the Rotterdam Europeans. With Uthopia on the team, flanked by Valegro and Mistral Hojris (Laura Tomlinson), in the blink of an eye, anything was possible.

“In the grand prix I knew I had to do something special for us to win gold. I floated around the arena and forgot how green Uti was. I just steered him; it was like riding a little computer.”

In the final extended trot, the crowd gasped as they saw seven 10s flash up.

“I heard that and thought something bad had happened,” he recalls. “At the final halt, they erupted and I was a bit bemused. Then the score [82.56%] went up; I’d won the grand prix at the Euros and we’d won gold. It was a defining moment.”

The pair went on to claim double individual silver – Carl’s first-ever individual medals – pipped twice by Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival.

“After the gold, we had a great party. I never expected to win the kür as that’s not my favourite, but I missed my changes in the special,” rues Carl. “I moved my legs too fast and that was my gold gone. Honestly, though, I thought an individual medal would never happen for me; I felt so much love for Uti at that show.”

Alan says, half joking: “Uti was the saving grace of British dressage when he won that grand prix. He should’ve won an individual gold, but I think Carl was a bit hungover.”

Uthopia and Carl Hester win Olympic gold on home turf

After the Europeans, offers to buy Uthopia ahead of the 2012 Olympics flooded in. A big-money sale was agreed, but Uti got sore feet. This meant the buyers couldn’t complete the purchase ahead of the FEI’s January transfer of ownership deadline, so Uthopia couldn’t be ridden by anyone of a different nationality at the Games. The sale evaporated and Sasha told Carl to keep Uti for the Olympics.

What a happy accident that proved to be. In front of a capacity home crowd, the same dream team of Carl, Charlotte and Laura did what many had deemed impossible just 18 months earlier: they won Olympic team gold. It was epic.

“Uthopia pulled it out of the bag and we finished third in the special,” recalls Carl. “By the freestyle, I was in a right state because Charlotte was on her own in the warm-up at her first Olympics and I just wanted to get it out the way and run back to help her on Valegro.”

In the months that followed, Carl had a surfeit of upcoming grand prix horses – Nip Tuck, Dances With Wolves and Fine Time – so he handed over the reins.

“Carl said Charlotte should ride Uti for the experience,” says Alan. “They ride and train together every day, but they ride completely differently and expect different things. Charlotte learnt an awful lot from Uti as he was completely different to Valegro.”

Uti and Charlotte were first or second in all six of the tests they contested. Carl’s other horses weren’t yet team-ready, so there was pressure for Carl to get back on for the 2013 Europeans in Herning.

“Charlotte had ridden Uti all season and Carl only rode him at one show; Hickstead, just a couple of weeks before Herning,” adds Alan. “For a dressage horse to do that in one season – especially a stallion – proves his amazing temperament. You couldn’t ask many horses to do that.”

Carl and Uthopia’s chunky scores in Herning, coupled with Valegro’s brilliance and solid performances from Michael Eilberg meant the British team added another medal – bronze – to their burgeoning haul.

A nightmare scenario before a fairytale ending

However, trouble was brewing. Sasha’s family suffered financial troubles and Uthopia became a ward of the court, which limited what he could do. The case dragged on for years, and Carl wasn’t always sure exactly where he stood.

“With the court case in full swing, they said I shouldn’t compete the horse, and that I shouldn’t have even ridden him in Herning. That’s why Charlotte started riding him again,” explains Carl. “I presumed – wrongly – that by then I was a part owner, but as I’d never technically purchased him, there was nothing I could do to stop the process.”

Uthopia was sold at public auction in May 2016. Nobody came to see him ahead of the sale and, with the help of some supporters, Carl drummed up what he hoped was enough money to bid on him remotely and secure his future. But, as the bidding ticked up, it wasn’t enough. The then 15-year-old stallion was bought by an anonymous man in the room for £165,000. Carl was devastated. The horse had remained at his yard, and Carl was simply told to await instructions. Days passed.

“It turned out the buyer had seen the video of Uti winning gold in London and bought him on the strength of that,” says Carl. “But when he approached some riders about taking him on, nobody was interested. He realised he’d made a big mistake.”

A friend of a friend of Carl’s – who wishes to remain anonymous to this day – stepped in.

“This angel appeared and negotiated to buy Uti back on the condition that I’d look after him for the rest of his life,” continues Carl. “I’m eternally grateful that she did that. I couldn’t believe that someone who’d never met me would be so kind and generous and give Uti the retirement he deserves. It was a fairytale ending after what he’d done for British dressage.”

While the court case was in progress, Charlotte successfully campaigned Uti at a couple of shows a year, until his swansong at Amsterdam in January of 2016.

These days, Uti goes in the field every morning alongside his bestie Valegro. The pair are “both foodies and eat every blade of grass they can get their mitts on”. Alan – who has since retired as their groom – remembers what a joy he was to ride.

“Uti was amazing to hack,” enthuses Alan. “He was bouncy and bold and never frightened me. If he was excited, he’d do a little piaffe or passage, but I knew him so well that I just patted him and ignored it. He could scare some of the younger girls, though.

“I’ve travelled hundreds of thousands of miles with Valegro – we have a huge bond – but I had to share him with Charlotte and the rest of the world. Uti was mine and mine only. He’s still my hero.”

Uti’s competitive days are behind him, but the hallmark he left on British dressage is indelible.

Did you know?

• Uti is 16.1hh (164cm).
• His best score was 84.17% for individual freestyle silver at the 2011 Europeans
• Fun fact: Carl had his tailcoat made shorter to help make Uti seem taller

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Carl Hester has trained and ridden some of the greatest dressage horses in the world. But when asked about the horse of his lifetime – in a feature for Horse & Hound magazine (on sale Thursday 3 July, 2025) and guest edited by eventing star Laura Collett – he doesn’t hesitate: it’s his Olympic team gold medal-winning partner, Uthopia.

The “small, athletic, happy horse” was originally bought for one of Carl’s friends in Ireland before finding his way into Carl’s yard. “I remember he bucked her off, jumped a big hedge and disappeared into the distance!” Carl laughs.

“It’s not his normal character, but when he gets excited – and it’s very rare – he turns into a Ferrari.”

Despite that dramatic first impression, Uthopia quickly proved himself not only talented but a horse with a bright, positive outlook.

Carl Hester on Uthopia: “He was born to do the job”

“He likes people, likes horses, he’s very friendly. It suits him to be where lots is going on,” Carl says.

Laura notes that she had wondered whether Carl might choose Valegro, even though he didn’t compete him at his peak. But for Carl, Uthopia is special because of what his achievements meant to him.

“He was born to do the job, he understood the work easily, and he was an extraordinary mover,” Carl says.

“Early on, I had to learn to sit with him, he had such power, such a big engine; he rode two hands higher. Getting him balanced was the key.”

Carl remembers his first 80% at Fritzens in Austria in 2011, when he won the grand prix special. “There are very few tests you look at and can be entirely satisfied,” he explains. “That’s what dressage is about, trying to achieve 10s in everything you do.”

After winning the grand prix at the 2011 European Championships, Carl recalls the commentator saying, “He’s an extremely inexperienced horse, and he’s made this look like a walk in the park.”

By the time London 2012 arrived, Uthopia’s steady temperament gave Carl confidence. He never had to worry about the atmosphere, cheering crowds or standing still – “all those tiny details that matter,” Carl adds.

“The team gold was historic, and a first for us all,” he explains. “The grand prix was always his best test; it had all those extended trots he’s famous for,” he adds, remembering the seven perfect 10s for it at the 2011 Europeans as “a joyous moment that showed the world what he was.”

Now 24, Uthopia still has that same positive outlook every day.

“His is the first stable I pass, next to Valegro,” Carl says. “They travelled the world and won medals together. It’s a fitting end.”

What this horse did for Carl was profound.

“In 2012, I’d already been competing for years, trying to build up a team, to win medals,” Carl explains. “And the fact he won me gold and two silvers at the Europeans and gold at the Olympics put my mind at ease: if no success happens ever again, it won’t matter. He gave me peace.”

– To read the full feature, including insights from Ruby Walsh, Nick Skelton and Pippa Funnell, pick up Horse & Hound magazine, guest edited by Laura Collett, available in shops from 3 July, 2025 –

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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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

Valegro and Uthopia are without a doubt two of the most-loved dressage horses of all time. The Olympic and European gold medallists, now aged 21 and 22 respectively, are living the dream retirement with Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin – but once in a while, they like to prove that they still have that star quality.

Charlotte has released a video from 2022 of her and Carl, riding Valegro and Uthopia at home in Gloucestershire, simultaneously performing a line of 18 one-time changes, and it’s pretty impressive.

“Just before I was pregnant, Carl and I [had] some fun on these two stars, who even now, know how to own the arena,” said Charlotte.

Indeed, both Valegro (Blueberry) and Uthopia (Uti) look to relish the opportunity to remind us all just why they have earned their status as legends of the dressage world.

Blueberry, of course, took the dressage world by storm, winning back-t0-back individual Olympic golds with Charlotte Dujardin in 2012 and 2016, smashing world records left, right and centre along the way.

Uti and Carl were also on the Olympic gold medal-winning British team in 2012, as well as winning team gold and double individual silver the year before, at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam.

Super-groom Alan Davies – who will take a step back from his full-time job with Carl and Charlotte this year – has ridden Blueberry and Uti on a regular basis throughout their retirement to date, keeping them fit and enjoying life with plenty of hacking.

“They’re amazing to hack, they really are. Valegro is like a police horse. I love riding him so much, and he loves it,” Alan told H&H. “He loves going out round the roads or the fields, chatting to the neighbours, chatting to the cows on the next farm and anyone can ride him.

“Uthopia is still quite bouncy, so you do have to have your wits about you. He can get quite excited and likes to do some piaffe and passage sometimes, but he’s not spooky and he is a joy to hack too. They’re both good in traffic and they both still feel amazing. They’re a great joy to look after.”

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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

Young rider Harry Edwards Brady, who lifted the inaugural Robert Oliver showman’s award at the 2022 British Show Pony Society (BSPS) summer championships, got the opportunity to meet legends of the equestrian world, equine and human, as his prize.

Harry, 12, and his mother Emma Edward’s home-produced 122cm show hunter pony Gryngallt Page Too (Billy) were judge Claire Oliver’s choice to take the new accolade at the summer championships, in August.

During his show, Harry rode two gallops and a walk to canter, the presented Claire with a red rose.

“He really is a little showman – he had so much character and charisma, and rode to win,” Claire told H&H on the day. “I’m sure Robert would have been very happy with my choice.”

Part of Harry’s prize package was a visit the yards of Claire and Olympian Carl Hester:

“We firstly went to Claire’s yard and she showed us the horses and the tack room, which was full of wonderful pictures of her and Robert’s many Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winners,” said Emma. “Harry also had a ride on Claire’s 2022 HOYS-winning small hunter, Shanbally Legacy (Lego). He loved riding Lego and thought he was just like a bigger version of Billy.”

Harry and Emma then drove to Carl’s yard, where they met Carl, Charlotte Dujardin and supergroom Alan Davies, as well as the team’s other grooms and horses:

“Valegro had just been washed down so Harry led him round and had pictures with him,” said Emma. “Someone had just finished a lesson on Uthopia and Carl asked Harry if he’d like to have a sit on him. Of course, Harry said ‘yes please.’ Carl then asked Harry to try some moves with Uthopia. Harry has never done dressage before and he was completely amazed to ride an Olympic horse; he said he’s never felt power like it. He had a dream day and everyone was so welcoming. Harry was a bit starstruck but he had so much fun.”

The award was introduced this year in honour of the late showman Robert Oliver, who died aged 80 in March 2021, and it will now become an annual feature at the championships. Finalists, who must be under 25 years old, were selected by members of the BSPS council who were talent-spotting competitors at shows across the country.

“Harry was so determined to win the final at the championships,” said Emma. “There were six riders in total, and they were all incredible. It is lovely for Harry to win the first one and have his name on the cup.”

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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

Can you believe it’s been six years since Valegro made us all cry (again) as he stood with groom Alan Davies, owner Carl Hester and rider Charlotte Dujardin and gazed around at the Olympia crowds during his retirement ceremony in 2016? The great horse, who won 14 championship medals, including three Olympic golds, is now 20 years old and still living out his blissful retirement at Carl’s Gloucestershire yard.

Valegro and his London 2012 teammate Uthopia, the now 21-year-old stallion ridden to huge success by Carl, are cared for on a daily basis by head groom Alan Davies, who still relishes every moment he spends with “the two favourites of all time”.

“I still feed them first in the morning and muck them out, keep them clipped in the winter and ride them every day,” he reveals on episode 104 of The Horse & Hound Podcast. “I try to keep them both fit and well and happy, and ticking over. I love them to bits and I do get told off sometimes for spending a bit too much time with them, brushing and generally pampering them. But they deserve it.”

They may be “happy hackers” nowadays, but the Negro gelding Valegro and Metall stallion Uthopia even excel at that job, according to Alan.

“They’re amazing to hack, they really are. Valegro is like a police horse. I love riding him so much, and he loves it – you have to kick to come home on him!

“He loves going out round the roads or the fields, chatting to the neighbours, chatting to the cows on the next farm and anyone can ride him,” Alan says.

“Uthopia is still quite bouncy even though he’s 21 now, so you do have to have your wits about you. He can get quite excited and likes to do some piaffe and passage sometimes, but he’s not spooky and he is a joy to hack too. They’re both good in traffic and they both still feel amazing. They’re a great joy to look after.”

And what about Carl and Charlotte – how often do they get back on board this pair of superstars?

“Occasionally Carl and Charlotte get on them, but I try to keep them to myself most of the time,” laughs Alan. “I don’t really like anyone else riding them and I like to do it myself. If they get on, they tend to want to start doing one-time changes and piaffe-passage and I don’t think the horses need to do too much of that anymore, so I try to keep them off them!”

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Valegro gives his bronze statue the seal of approval at unveiling

“He’s captured in a piaffe which is the most difficult thing you can do in dressage. This is probably what

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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

An exciting young British-bred dressage horse emerged as the top-scorer from last weekend’s Equine Bridge event, run by British Breeding. Stolen Secret, a six-year-old Uthopia daughter, out of the Riccio mare Raico, came away with the highest marks of the weekend partnered by international grand prix rider Sonnar Murray-Brown.

The mare was bred by Michelle Dawson of the Stolen Silver Sport Horses stud, and has been with Sonnar for training since she was a three-year-old. The pair have gained good results at the NEXGEN young horse championships last year, as well as the Winter Dressage Championships, and have had scores up to 80% at novice.

“I’m only a small breeder – I breed just two or three foals a year, and it’s absolutely fantastic that Secret has won the Equine Bridge,” says Michelle, an anaesthetist in the NHS who says she used to work up to 100 hours a week, but has now cut down to “just 36”.

“Breeding is so hard with so much that can go wrong, and when you only breed a few, every single foal has to count,” she explains.

Finding the right rider for Stolen Secret

After Stolen Secret finished runner-up as a two-year-old in the Futurity series, Michelle began her hunt for a professional rider to take on the promising youngster, but found it harder than she expected.

“I knew that as a small breeder I wasn’t going to get a big name rider coming to me to buy a horse, so I was going to have to find one myself,” she says.

“I researched about 100 British dressage riders, and shortlisted 12 of them who I then contacted with videos of Secret. I have a job that means I can afford to do this, and I was willing to become an owner and pay all the bills. But of the 12, only two riders replied to me and one wasn’t interested. Luckily, the other one was Sonny and he was actually the one I really wanted to ride her. He is a world-class rider, a total professional – he always has horses bursting out of their skins with energy, but also portrays so much elegance.”

The Equine Bridge

The aims behind the Equine Bridge, which was relaunched in 2019, is to promote British breeding, and to identify and nurture future Olympic horses by bringing together riders, owners, breeders, trainers and the sports’ governing bodies. Inspired by the performance tests found in countries such as Germany, the two-day event also involves evaluations by a vet, master saddler, a master farrier and a qualified nutritionist. Michelle feels this kind of holistic approach is important when it comes to the production of young British-bred horses.

“The Bridge shows that producing a dressage horse requires a multi-disciplinary team,” she says. “In the NHS, patients are always treated by a multi-disciplinary team as no one can be an expert in everything, and you need to look at the whole picture. As well as the training and quality of the horse, everything else needs to be in place.”

Secret isn’t the only exciting horse that Michelle has bred – the rising three-year-old Stolen Beltara (by Belissimo M, out of a mare by Rousseau) was the top two-year-old dressage horse of the Futurity series in 2021. Michelle has two foals due in 2022, one by British stallion Royal Rubin, out of Secret’s dam, Raico, and Michelle says that if it is filly she hopes it will become a successful broodmare in the future. The other is by the British Trakehner stallion Kaiserdom, out of Woodcroft Kristabelle, Michelle’s own competition horse who is trained up to grand prix.

“Hopefully that pairing will produce something special, but it comes down to a lot of hope and luck,” says Michelle. “Breeding really is a form of gambling!”

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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

Alan Davies is well known for being the third member of the dressage dream team that have propelled much of Britain’s extraordinary success in the sport over the past decade. As head groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, he was the man in charge of caring for Olympic gold medallists Valegro and Uthopia, as well Carl and Charlotte’s more recent superstars, from Nip Tuck to Mount John Freestyle, to their 2021 medallists En Vogue and Gio.

But how did Alan Davies come to work for Carl in the first place, and was being an international dressage groom always his aim in life?

In a word, the answer is no – he didn’t actually start riding until he was about 10, and his first venture into horses was through the world of hunting.

“My parents were desperate to get me out of the house as a child and do some outdoor activities. My brother was very sporty and I wasn’t – I just had no interest in sports,” says Alan. “My parents owned a Post Office and general stores near Cambridge and they got friendly with the girls from the local hunt yard, who used to come in to get their lunch. The girls at the Puckeridge and Thurlow said to send me over and they’d get me mucking out, so they took me under their wing.

“I found it all fascinating – I loved it! For months I wasn’t allowed to touch a horse; I would sweep up, grind the oats, fill haynets, make up the banks on the straw beds while the horses were out on exercise and fold the jute rugs and Witney blankets. I still use Witney blankets to this day actually.

“At that time, around 40 years ago, hunt service was a serious profession and big business. I had head girls who were real sticklers for cleanliness and fitness and looking after horses’ legs, and I was totally encapsulated by the whole thing. I’d stay late at night, after the horses came back covered with mud, and spend hours cleaning all the tack. It gave me such a good grounding.”

From hunt service, Alan moved into the showjumping world, landing a job grooming out in Florida, which he says gave him more invaluable education.

“I thought, ‘Wow, the chance to look after horses and travel’ – it was a no brainer,” explains Alan.

“I did four winters in Florida and had a blast. I had no clue what I was doing, really, but I worked with some of the best trainers and vets and farriers, and learned so much – how to bandage properly, and icing legs. The science of really taking care of horses’ legs was developing in the US at that time and I was there for it, flying showjumpers back and forth across the Atlantic,” says Alan.

“Luckily I always wanted to learn so I was always questioning things, and that would hold me in good stead for later in life when I would be looking after the most famous dressage horses in the world. I still hark back to those years now – if I’m having a problem with something now, I think, ‘What would I have done back then?’.”

Alan Davies: ‘I just love beautiful animals’

From showjumping, Alan Davies moved to showing, competing successfully himself as well as grooming, and he says he still has a soft spot for the sport

“I love beautiful animals, it doesn’t matter what type. I love seeing them turned out beautifully, and going beautifully,” he says.

Alan first met Carl at the World Equestrian Games in 1990 – Carl’s first championship – had later had dressage lessons with him on various show horses.

“He asked me a couple of times over the years whether I’d come and work for him, and for various reasons it never happened. But then he called me at the end of 2010 and said he had two upcoming grand prix horses who were going to be very good, that they were going to some shows in the south of France and did I fancy getting away from the winter and coming with them.

“I just thought, ‘Yeah, alright, why not?’” laughs Alan.

Those two horses were, of course, Valegro and Uthopia, and after accompanying them to shows at Vidauban while still working freelance, Alan ended up joining Carl and Charlotte as they competed at Saumur and Hagen in 2011, during the build up to the European Championships in Rotterdam, where Britain would win a euphoric team gold.

“People were starting to take notice of Carl on Uthopia and Charlotte on Valegro, and so one day Carl sat me down and said, ‘We’d like you to stay on full-time. We might be going to the Olympics!’ I thought that sounded like fun, to spend a year with them in the run-up to London 2012. Little did I know that 10 years later I’d still be here, and what would happen in that time…”

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Looking back at black and white photos of the dressage supremo competing on grass, or aboard his coloured ride from the 1980s Jolly Dolly, you’d be excused for struggling to recognise the Olympic gold medal-winning rider. To celebrate Carl Hester’s 53rd birthday today (29 June), we’ve dug deep into the archives to chart his rise to the top

Carl lived on the Isle of Sark from the age of four, where he learnt to ride on a donkey called Jacko

When Carl was 16 he was offered a job at the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy in Dorset

Carl with the Fortune Centre’s Jolly Dolly, winning the 1985 Young Rider title

Carl is crowned the Young Rider National Dressage Champion in 1985, riding Jolly Dolly

Carl with Janni and Christopher Taylor’s schoolmaster Slightly Trendy, with whom he was selected for the Young Rider team, at a competition at B.E.C in 1988

A sight seldom seen! Carl Hester performs on grass with Wesley, at Barnsley in 1990

Carl at his first international competition — the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, where the British team finished in fifth place

Clad in a top hat at the 1990 World Championships

Carl and Dr. Wilfried Bechtolsheimer's grand prix horse Giorgione S. The pair competed at the 1992 Olympic Games together

Carl dressed as “The Explorer” riding the leading British stallion Jumbo at a Christmas pantomime event

Carl and Dr. Wilfried Bectolsheimer’s stallion Giorgione S in Wiesbaden, Germany

Carl at a selection trial in 1993 with Giorgione S. The previous year the pair had represented Britain at Carl’s first Olympics and had retained their 1991 title at the National Championships. Wilfried described “Gino” as “the dominating force in British dressage” during his career. His daughter, Olympic medallist Laura, rode Giorgione as a “little girl” and Wilfired has a statue of the horse overlooking his outdoor arena

Carl and Boucheron, winners of the medium and advanced medium classes at the Midland Dressage Championships in 1994

Carl with Boucheron at Talland in 1994

Carl with Escapado, affectionately known as “Peanuts”, who he rode at the 2004 Athens Olympics, finishing best of the Brits in 13th, and went on to ride into fifth at the 2005 European Championships. Escapado then went to Hans Peter Minderhoud, launching Hans Peter’s grand prix career, before joining Dolendo for retirement at Carl’s yard in 2011

Carl and Gershwin at Horse of the Year Show in 1995

Carl riding Donner Rhapsody, a full sister to the great Donnersong, with whom he took the national medium and advanced medium classes in 1999 and was fourth in the prix st georges championship in 2001

Carl with Donnersong, who he described as “king of the small tour”. Donnersong was retired to stud in 2003 and died after recurring bouts of laminitis in 2012, having enjoyed retirement with owner-breeder Kate Carter

Carl with his great horse Dolendo, or “Donald” taking the medium championship in 2001. Donald went on to take national grand prix titles with Spencer Wilton before the ride passed back to Carl. Donald was ruled out of the 2008 Olympics due to injury and retired with Carl in 2011. He died in 2015

Carl and Dolendo enjoy a lap of honour after triumphing at the South West regionals. In 2001, Donald qualified for the National championships with both Carl and Spencer Wilton, going on to win the medium championship with Carl and take fourth in the elementary with Spencer

Carl in the grand prix freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics with Escapado, where they finished in seventh place individually

Carl and Liebling II during the 2009 World Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany

Carl and Uthopia in action in Greenwich Park during the London 2012 Olympic Games

Carl strikes a pose with the gold medal-winning Uthopia

The Olympic gold medal-winning rider after he is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by The Queen during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on 19 July 2013

Nip Tuck delights crowds during the grand prix freestyle at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Carl and Nip Tuck in August 2014 during the grand prix of the FEI World Equestrian Games at D'Ornano Stadium in Caen, France

Catching up with Valegro, Charlotte Dujardin's gold medal-winning ride

Carl is presented with the British Horse Society Award by Her Majesty The Queen the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2015

Carl and Nip Tuck during the horse inspection at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Carl salutes the crowd after his freestyle at the 2017 World Cup final

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It’s hard not to feel a rush of glorious nostalgia watching Carl Hester put his retired Olympic gold medallist, Uthopia, through his paces at home in Gloucestershire. The Metall x Inspekeur stallion, whom Carl rode to team gold at the 2011 European Championships, and the London Olympics a year later, is 19 years old now, but Carl reports that “he feels like he’s in the prime of his life”.

“Uti feels as soft and supple as he always did — he feels more like an 11-year-old at the moment, not 19,” Carl told H&H.

In recent video clips, Carl puts the stallion through a beautifully soft and harmonious piaffe-passage sequence in the field at home, as well a line of rhythmic one-time changes.

“This is his favourite time of year. Uti and Blueberry [Valegro] go out in the orchard together, and they both just love to eat! Uti is doing some stud work at the moment, and we use him as a schoolmaster two days a week – the girls here have a chance to sit on him and feel changes, piaffe and passage. Then Alan [Davies] hacks him out a couple of days a week too.

“I ride him every now and then. It’s lovely to just hop on and have a play with him. When I press the right buttons he can still do things for a 10, like his one-tempis. Alan and I reminisce about the good old days, and how he hasn’t changed.”

Article continues below…

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Among the many memorable highlights of Carl and Uthopia’s glittering career is their grand prix victory at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam, where they scored 82.57%, and earned a full house of seven 10s for their extended trot. Their test secured Britain’s first ever team gold dressage medal, alongside Charlotte Dujardin at her first championship with Valegro, Laura Bechtolsheimer (now Tomlinson) on Mistral Hojris and Emile Faurie on Elmegardens Marquis.

As well as gold in 2011 and 2012, Carl and Uthopia also helped Britain claim team bronze at the 2013 Europeans in Herning. Uthopia went on to compete very successfully with Charlotte Dujardin, triumphing at Saumur and Windsor in 2014, and at Olympia in 2015. His final show was the World Cup qualifier at Amsterdam in January 2016, where he and Charlotte finished fourth in the freestyle with 82.38%.

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What do you get if you cross one Olympic gold medallist with the full sibling of another? The answer: a young horse that will almost certainly go on to great things.

Specifically in this case U-Genius, the son of Carl Hester’s London 2012 ride Uthopia (Metall x Inspekteur), whose dam is none other than Weidyfleur II — the full sister to double Olympic champion and multiple record holder Valegro (Negro x Gershwin).

“U-Genius has to be the best-bred horse in the world,” says Carl of the eight-year-old stallion, whom he owns along with breeder Claire Hester, Roly Luard and Anne Cohn.

“He’s a big, strapping black stallion — he’d make the perfect Lloyds Bank advert horse.”

U-Genius has so far been only lightly competed up to advanced medium by Amy Woodhead, former rider for Carl, but was recently showcased during the five-time Olympian’s dressage masterclass at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club.

Spectators relished this rare opportunity to see this exciting horse showing off his current stage of training with Amy, as well as his natural talent for the higher level work.

“He was a very big foal and a big young horse, so he has needed lots of time,” explains Carl, who highlights the stallion’s super work ethic and scopey, athletic canter as his biggest strengths.

U-Genius is already training the grand prix movements, with his early piaffe and passage work looking particularly promising.

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As an Anglo European Studbook (AES) approved stallion, U-Genius is combining his early competition career with breeding duties, and so far has around 20 offspring on the ground, with the oldest now being three years old.

Whether U-Genius will follow in the footsteps of his world-famous family remains to be seen, but he certainly has everything it takes to get there, from genetics to temperament. This is one young horse to keep a serious eye on.

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Carl Hester’s London 2012 Olympic team gold medalist Uthopia has returned to the public spotlight, ridden by Charlotte Dujardin.

After winning the grand prix on Barolo, Carl hosted a demo at Bolesworth International, which featured the bouncy black stallion as a surprise addition.

Uthopia, now 16, has not been seen in competition since Amsterdam in January 2016, where he was ridden by Charlotte to over 82% in the freestyle.

“We only work him three days a week but I think he looks as good as he did in 2012,” said Carl as Uti bounced around the arena.

An ownership dispute erupted over the horse which eventually saw him auctioned in Ireland, selling to an anonymous bidder. A short time later, a new owner came forward and bought him for Carl, with whom he will now live out his days. The new owner wishes to remain anonymous.

At Bolesworth, Uthopia demonstrated that he still has all the ingredients for the grand prix work, showing tiny pirouettes, exceptionally expressive passage and rhythmic piaffe.

“He’s incredibly supple, with an expressive collected trot. He’s loving being here — probably more than the audience is,” joked Carl, who told the story of the seven 10s awarded to him and Uti for their final extended trot at the European Championships in 2011.

Charlotte rode a handful of long diagonals, and it’s clear that Uti still very much has that trot within him

“He’s done one extended trot in the last eight months — but they only have so many extended trots in them, so we don’t practise them all the time — but he’s come out here and done about five,” said Carl, who added that “Charlotte likes trotting, but I like cantering”.

The audience — which swelled for Carl’s demo — expressed their delight at seeing the little stallion again.

“It’s so lovely to show people what dressage should look like,” concluded Carl. “This is how it’s supposed to look.”

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Uthopia auction update: Carl Hester confirms positive outcome

Find out how the medal-winning stallion's future has been secured

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Rio might have been top of our agenda in 2016. But we take a look back at the other hot topics hitting the equestrian headlines this year

A horse under the hammer

The story: Carl Hester’s London 2012 team gold medal-winning ride Uthopia was sold at public auction in May, with no reserve, as part of bankruptcy proceedings. The 15-year-old stallion was sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group) who held joint ownership by virtue of their respective roles as trustees in bankruptcy over two estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison. Carl said he was “appalled”, and no longer had any claim to part-ownership of the horse. He was sold for £165,000 by Wilsons Auctions, and although the buyer’s name has not been made public, Carl confirmed a month later that the horse would stay at his Gloucestershire base.

What happens next? Uthopia is to stand at stud and it has been rumoured that a return to competition may also be on the cards…

Riders’ weight

The story: when the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) asked riders thought to be too heavy for their horses or ponies to dismount in July, it sparked debate across the equestrian industry. But the British Equestrian Federation, World Horse Welfare and interested parties, such as member bodies from different disciplines, had been discussing the issue and how to combat it, since autumn 2015. Since the GYS’s move, Horse of the Year Show also told competitors at this year’s event that the suitability of their weight for their mounts would be assessed, while last month Retraining of Racehorses announced it would disqualify any rider at its shows who was more than 17% of their mount’s weight.

What happens next? The Animal Health Trust has proposed a study aimed at discovering the ideal maximum rider-to-horse weight ratio. But as there are so many other variables to take into account — such as rider and horse fitness and the horse’s own weight and condition — this issue looks likely to be at the forefront of discussions for some time.

A true inspiration

The story: talented young event rider Hannah Francis inspired people across the equestrian world with her courage and good humour as she vowed to #kickcancersbutt. While she was suffering from bone cancer, Hannah wrote a blog from the viewpoint of her cuddly toy Willberry Wonder Pony, and set up her own charity named after him, the aim of which is to fund bone cancer research and grant horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses. Since her death aged 18 on 1 August, Hannah’s parents have collected the Horse & Hound inspiration award and the Animal Health Trust’s voluntary service award on their daughter’s behalf, while Hannah was also shortlisted for the Against all Odds category of the FEI awards last month.

What happens next? Hannah continues to inspire, as riders raise money to carry on her work through her charity. Among these are the “Wobbleberries”, a group of riders aiming to complete their first British Eventing competition in her memory.

Eventing safety

The story: safety of horse and rider in eventing is an evergreen topic, but it was brought back into the spotlight this year by a series of deaths. Olivia Inglis, 17, died from injuries sustained in a fall in a national two-star competition at Scone Horse Trials, Australia, on 6 March. Caitlyn Fischer, 19, suffered fatal injuries in the one-star at the Sydney International Horse Trials on 30 April. Philippa Humphreys, 33, was fatally injured in a fall on the CCI3* cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in New Jersey, United States, on 14 May. Nikita Sotskov died after a fall at the Ratomka Horse Trials, Belarus, on 10 September. Research continues into all aspects of the sport’s safety around the world, while the FEI has set up an eventing risk management steering group, which held its first meeting in October and is looking into minimising risk in the sport.

What happens next? The group will look into fence design and ways of reducing falls as part of its efforts, with the aim of working together across the world.

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Endurance

The story: in February, thousands of people signed a petition demanding the 2016 endurance World Championships were removed from Dubai over welfare concerns. “Strong” new measures introduced in the United Arab Emirates failed to reduce speeds in the first two rides to apply them, however, and in April, the FEI did remove the championships from Dubai, stating that no-more FEI events would be sanctioned in Dubai for an indefinite period, as “the UAE federation is not currently in a position to guarantee that horse welfare would be fully protected at an FEI World Endurance Championship”.

The competition was held in Samorin, Slovakia, instead, in September. But there was more controversy as Ajayeb, ridden by UAE rider Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, suffered a leg injury that meant she had to be put down. The FEI then launched an investigation into whether the mare’s body was diverted to a livestock crematorium instead of being taken directly to a laboratory for her compulsory autopsy.

What happens next? Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan spoke at the World Horse Welfare conference last month on his efforts to combat the “drive to win at all costs”. His Bou Thib rules, which set lower maximum speeds and heart rates, are a success, he told the conference, and are being copied by ride organisers across the world.

Agenda 2020

The story: the FEI and riders have been at loggerheads over planned changes to the Olympic format. Eventers and showjumpers have spoken out against proposals to reduce teams to three combinations with no drop score, citing fears for horse welfare among their concerns. The FEI’s aim is to ensure equestrian sports remain in the Olympics, and to allow more countries to take part. But some riders are concerned that involving combinations that are incapable of performing at the highest level would have negative implications.

The idea was proposed at the FEI general assembly last November, when there was opposition from nations including Britain and Germany. But at the 2016 assembly, in Tokyo last month, the proposals were voted through. Of the 107 national federations represented at the conference, only 11 — including Germany, France and New Zealand — voted against the change. A number of other modifications were also agreed regarding the different disciplines’ Olympic formats, including dressage medals being decided purely on the results of the grand prix special, as opposed to the current combination of grand prix and grand prix special, and a new heat system to qualify for the special. In eventing, teams will be able to substitute the reserve combination once competition is started, but will incur 100 penalties for doing so.

What happens next? The format change is subject to final approval by the International Olympic Committee next year.

This article was first published in 15 December 2016 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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There's no doubting that Olympic dressage gold-medallist Uthopia is a much-loved personality in the equestrian world. But a new photo released of the KWPN stallion illustrates his unflinching — and striking — star quality

Fine art photographer Matthew Seed‘s latest piece of work pays homage to London 2012 dressage team gold-medallist Uthopia, whose future was secured to stay with Carl Hester in Gloucestershire by an anonymous donor earlier this year.

The image’s striking composition and use of light is inspired by legendary English painter George Stubbs.

“Painters such as Stubbs have the advantage of being able to interpret what they see and often paint in a beautiful light to highlight the horse’s powerful muscles and topline,” says Matthew.

“By using flash and sculpting the light around the horse I am able to emulate this style of painting, typical of the Old Masters, such as Stubbs, and in doing so I have captured the essence of Uthopia.”

Sculpting light provides an authenticity that is difficult to achieve using post production techniques, such as Photoshop, particularly when shooting outdoors.

“Horses are beautiful animals to photograph, but it often takes some time to earn their trust and my aim is to form a bond and understand each horse I photograph in order to capture their essence,” adds Matthew.

Connecting with the horse, understanding them and in turn capturing the horse’s personality is central to Matthew’s work.

“To ensure that I take time to connect with every horse I photograph and to truly present them in their best light is the most important factor in my work,” he says.

A limited edition print is being donated by Matthew Seed and Carl Hester to auction at the MDIRF’s ‘An Evening With The Stars’ on the 29 November.

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Matthew has over 25 years’ experience in fashion and fine art photography and his equestrian commissions include The National Stud, Zara Phillips, Sam Twiston-Davies, Trevor Breen and Laura Collett, as well as sports personality and racehorse owner, Michael Owen.

For more information about Matthew Seed’s work visit: www.horse-photographer.co.uk

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The long-running saga of the ownership of the London Olympic gold medal winning horse Uthopia has been resolved.

The horse will remain with his long-time rider Carl Hester at his Gloucestershire base.

“Apologies for the long wait, but it has been worth it,” said Carl. “I can now confirm that Uthopia has been secured and will stay at home where he is much loved.

“Those involved [in the purchase] wish to remain anonymous and I hope everyone will respect that; suffice to say I am enormously grateful to them.”

The sale has attracted huge worldwide interest, with fans clamoring to know who the new owner was after the auction in Northern Ireland on Friday 27 May through Wilsons Auctions.

Carl added: “Thank you all for your support, it has been overwhelming to know so many people care.

“[This is] a very happy ending to a stressful time and will make by birthday celebrations tomorrow extra special!”

The horse was sold for £165,000 but the bidder does not wish to reveal their identity.

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• Uthopia sale is complete, says auction house
• Carl Hester: ‘I was unable to secure Uthopia myself’
• How did Olympic gold medallist Uthopia’s career begin?

In a recent statement from the auction house, they confirmed the “the sale of Uthopia has now been completed”.

“The highest bidder on the night and new owner of Uthopia, does not wish to be identified at this time.

“We wish Uthopia and his new owner all the very best for the future. Uthopia has resided at his usual stable yard throughout this entire process.”

Fans of the charismatic 15-year-old son of Metall will be delighted that he is to remain on British soil.

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Wilsons Auctions, the company responsible for the auction of the Olympic gold medal-winning horse Uthopia (Metall x Inspekteur) in Northern Ireland last month, has confirmed that the sale process has now finished.

The auction house’s statement reads: “Further to our auction on 27 May, we can confirm that the sale of Uthopia has now been completed.”

This quashes rumours that the horse’s ownership was in a state of limbo, because he had not been paid for.

The statement continues: “The highest bidder on the night and new owner of Uthopia, does not wish to be identified at this time.

“We wish Uthopia and his new owner all the very best for the future. Uthopia has resided at his usual stable yard throughout this entire process.”

Although the statement gives little away, Wilsons have confirmed to Horse & Hound that the purchaser was the same person as the highest bidder on the night and that the sum paid was £165,000 — the price at which the hammer went down.

The horse remains at Carl Hester’s yard at present.

Continued below…

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Uthopia sold at public auction to unknown buyer

Uthopia was sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group), who held joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison.

The stallion’s ownership had been the subject of a long-running legal dispute, which had been rumbling on since the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Carl Hester rode “Uti” to team gold and fifth place individually in the freestyle with 82.85% in Greenwich.

More recently, he has been competed by Carl’s protégée Charlotte Dujardin, claiming the fourth spot at the World Cup finals in Amsterdam in January, where they scored 82.37%.

However, he has not made a competitive appearance since and H&H understands that Carl Hester’s team have been working hard to keep the 15-year-old stallion sound.

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The only full brother to the double Olympic dressage horse champion Valegro is to be sold at auction.

He will form part of the Excellent Dressage Sales catalogue for the auction on 30 July, which takes place in Ermelo, the Netherlands, during the Longines/FEI WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses.

Auction organiser Joep Schellekens — husband of Dutch Olympic dressage rider Imke Schellekens-Bartels — told H&H: “This is the first time we will be including foals in the sale, and we knew we had to find 15 special ones.

“A few months ago we had the idea with the KWPN (Dutch warmblood society) to organise an auction during championships. This show in Ermelo is very international, with real horse people from all over the world.”

Lelegro is by the Ferro son Negro and out of Maifleur (Gershwin x Heidelberg), who is now 22 years old.

Excellent Dressage Sales has been running for three years and has — until now — only included ridden horses of three years old and over.

“As Imke’s husband we know a lot of riding horses, but not so many foals,” said Joep.

“But my colleagues are so impressed with this foal and everyone is excited to have family lines like this horse’s in the auction; everyone thinks Valegro is so incredible.”

The foal is being sold directly from his breeders, Martje and Joop Hanse.

“We visited the breeders and they were interested in promoting Lelegro to the world championships audience,” Joep said.

So how much will the foal fetch under the hammer next month?

Related articles:

• Lelegro: Valegro’s first full brother is born
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“It’s completely open and there is no guide price,” Joep told H&H.

“Now that news of Lelegro is starting to be in the media, we are getting calls and emails for pictures and videos. The pictures and videos will be online next week for all the foals in the sale.”

Auctions are a hot topic in the dressage world at the moment following the sale of Carl Hester’s London 2012 ride Uthopia.

He was knocked down for £165,000 to a bidder at the auction in Northern Ireland. However, the winning bidder has yet to reveal their identity and the stallion is still at Carl’s yard in Gloucestershire.

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Carl Hester has said a heartbroken farewell to London 2012 gold medal-winning ride Uthopia, who died this week (1 December). We revisit Carl’s tales of finding the stallion in 2005 and how the horse‘s career developed from there under his expert guidance, in this article originally published online in May 2016.

Carl Hester described the late, great Uthopia as his “horse of a lifetime” in Horse & Hound’s Laura Collett guest-edited issue in summer 2025. Over their career, Carl and “Uti” won team gold at the 2011 Rotterdam Europeans and the London 2012 Olympics, and team bronze at the 2013 Herning Europeans, but how did Carl’s journey with the stallion begin?

We take you back to the start of the iconic pairing’s time together…

Where was Uthopia found?

“When I grow up, I’m going to swap to dressage,” proclaimed the 21-year-old Sasha Stewart when she met Carl Hester for the first time at the Athens Olympics in 2004. At the time, she was eventing for Ireland. “I told him to keep an eye out for a nice little horse for me.”

And in 2005 Carl did.

“Daniella Van Tuijl, who finds a lot of the horses for Brightwells auctions, said she’d find me some to look at in Holland. I was after one for me and one for Sasha,” he says. “Uti was the first one I saw.”

The four-year-old Uthopia was owned by Ivonne Lawrence, who had ridden him to seventh place in the Pavo Cup (the prestigious young horse championship) earlier that year.

He was bred by Jan Van Zettens in Gelderland, Holland, out of their advanced dressage mare by Inspekteur, by the Ferro son Metall.

What were Carl’s first impressions of Uthopia?

“He was small,” recalls Carl. “But I always say it’s what it feels like, not what it looks like that’s important.

“So I rode Uti, and even at four he had quality in his trot and canter — albeit they were very big paces. He was so sweet and I thought he’d be perfect for Sasha.

“I rang her and said ‘I’ve found one. But as it’s the first one I’ve seen, you can have it and I’ll find something larger for me’. I never did find that bigger horse,” he says with a wry smile.

Sasha was eventing in Boekelo when she got the call from Carl. “He told me there was a horse nearby I should go and see,” she says. “I nearly didn’t go, as I was so busy. But when I tried Uti — at a lovely little place where the owner could see his stable from her kitchen window — I said: ‘He’s amazing, I love him. I’m taking him home’.”

So a deal was struck — “not huge money” says Sasha, but when I mention the sum of €10,000 (£8,500) that Carl reportedly paid for Valegro, she counters, “OK, not that cheap” — and Uti went to Ireland.

What were the early days with Uthopia like?

“He threw me off the first day,” Sasha admits. “I was used to the fast thoroughbred-style whip-round, but when he did this extravagant pirouette, I just plopped off like a total beginner.

“Uti then galloped all round my property and jumped a huge hedge with all his tack on. I thought, ‘oh good, he jumps as well’.”

Sasha took Uthopia to Spain for the five-year-old class on the Sunshine Tour and rode him in the preliminary round. But the horse’s exuberance caused some teething problems.

Carl explains: “His paces were so big for someone not used to riding a trot like that — Sasha just used to squeal with laughter. She could barely make it to the end of the test without bouncing off, so I rode him in the final. I can’t remember where we came — which means we didn’t win.”

Soon after, Carl’s faith in the young Uthopia was rewarded; when Sasha started a family, he took up the reins full-time.

“When I told Carl I was pregnant, he was more excited than me and my husband,” she says. “Then when I kept getting pregnant, he was delighted.”

Competition time

Uti moved to Carl’s yard, where he competed up to elementary with Matt Frost, who was riding for Carl at the time. There were hints of what was to come — the pair posted 80% at novice in 2006.

Uthopia then had a break from competition.

“I always said he had the trot and canter of a world champion, but not the walk,” explains Carl. “I felt that because of his temperament and outstanding ability, it was better to just take him straight to grand prix work.”

Uti returned to competition with Carl in 2009 at prix st georges — and earned Carl his first ever 10 — to win 12 of his first 13 starts, including his 2010 grand prix debut.

Mega-talented horses don’t produce themselves, and it wasn’t all plain sailing for the partnership.

“When paces as big as his are under control they’re spectacular, but the biggest challenge was the collection — keeping the straightness in those huge flying changes — and the zigzags were difficult, as he’d fly from one side to the other,” reflects Carl.

“But the best thing is that his movement’s natural and not manufactured; in the extended trot he has a big over track and stays long in the neck by himself.”

“I didn’t realise how lucky I was to have something like Uthopia, who is more of a computer — he’s switched on and doesn’t need a lot of working in, or hours being shown the arena.”

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Mystery continues to shroud the new ownership of Carl Hester’s London 2012 gold medal-winning ride, Uthopia.

After the horse was sold at public auction in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Friday night for £165,000, the identity of the new owner was not revealed, in line with the auction house’s policy.

Many hoped that Carl, who wrote on social media before the sale that he hoped he had secured enough funds to buy the horse, was the ultimate winner, or at least someone bidding on his behalf.

However this morning, Sunday 29 May, Carl tweeted: “Sorry for the silence, unable to secure Uthopia myself but hoping and working on a positive outcome”.

Carl, like the rest of the equestrian world, is seeking more information about the highest bidder.

Ian Wilson, owner of Wilsons Auctions — a dispersal sale specialist — told Horse & Hound that he “did not recognise” the name of the top bidder.

The identity of the new owner remains publicly unknown. They have “two business days” to pay for their new purchase.

Continued below…

Uthopia’s auctioneers: ‘I don’t recognise the winning bidder’s name’ PLUS auction video

Uthopia sold at public auction to unknown buyer

Farewell Uthopia: how did the Olympic gold medallist’s career begin?

The horse was sold as part of a bankruptcy dispersal auction, which included among the lots Rolex watches, super cars, luggage and even a plane.

There were two main bidders in the room — one seated in the stands and the other right at the back. The bids bounced back and forth between these two up until £160,000, at which price there was an online bid. There was one further bid, from the back of the hall, to secure the horse for £165,000.

The dispute surrounding Uthopia’s ownership has been rumbling on since the London Olympics, with the horse prevented from leaving the UK to compete for much of that time due to an injunction.

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Rumours have been reverberating around the equestrian community as to the identity of the new owner of Uthopia, Carl Hester’s team gold medal winning ride at the London 2012 Olympics, since the stallion was sold for £165,000 at auction yesterday (Friday 27 April).

However, H&H can reveal that suggestions the new owner is Paul Schockemöhle’s Gestut Lewitz stud are unfounded.

An H&H source confirmed with the German stud’s manager, Christoph Hinkel, that they are not the new owners of Uthopia.

Among those commenting on the rumour that the horse might have been sold to the stud was British-based classical riding specialist and founder of Enlightened Equitation, Heather Moffett, who posted her views on her personal, but publicly available, Facebook profile shortly after the sale last night (Friday, 27 May). Her post was then shared and commented upon by numerous Facebook users.

However, Paul’s stud manager Christoph Hinkel has stated today (Saturday 28 May) that the stud has not purchased the horse.

Many on social media assumed that Uthopia would be a positive addition to Schockemöhle’s stud, who stands Uthopia’s 22-year-old sire, Metall — along with other high-profile dressage stallions such as Sandro Hit, San Amour, Sir Donnerhall and Fürstenball. They also hold an impressive book of jumping stallions, headed by Diarado and Balou Du Rouet.

Schockemöhle is also the part-owner of the ill-fated Totilas after purchasing him for an undisclosed amount — said to be multiple millions — from his former Dutch owners in 2010.

Heather has since clarified on the unofficial British Dressage Facebook page that she “categorically” does not know who has bought the horse and that screenshots taken of her original post without her permission were “an invasion of my own privacy”.

Continued below…

Uthopia’s auctioneers: ‘I don’t recognise the winning bidder’s name’ PLUS auction video

Uthopia sold at public auction to unknown buyer

Dressage sensation Totilas sold to Paul Schockemohle

This is not the first time Heather, a classical dressage rider and trainer, has found herself in hot water for her social media posts.

She made critical comments after Anna Ross and her ride Die Callas were eliminated when the mare bit her tongue, drawing blood, in the vet check following a plus-70% grand prix ride. Heather later admitted that she had misunderstood the circumstances of the incident and issued a public apology.

She has now made her personal Facebook page private, adding: “My page [is] no longer public. Friends only. You live and learn”.

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Ian Wilson, managing director of Wilsons Auctions, the auction house responsible for the sale of Olympic gold medal winning horse Uthopia last night in Belfast, has said the horse’s tale is “a sad story”.

He also said he was not familiar with the name of the winning bidder, who was present in the auction room and proffered £165,000 for the 15-year-old stallion by Metall.

“We know the registered details but we’re yet to speak to them,” he told H&H on Friday night. “The bid is possibly on behalf of someone else. I can’t say I recognise the bidder’s name.

“We really hope the horse is staying in the home he’s sleeping in tonight.”

Having received criticism for selling Uthopia but not being horse specialists, Ian was quick to point out that the horse’s marketing partly took care of itself.

“Anyone interested in the horse knew more about it than we did. We have people trained in testing and inspecting cars, but not horses. But the best people have given their opinions on Uthopia; Olympic vets and riders.

“Throughout this process Carl Hester has been very very helpful. He seems like a genuinely nice person and I really hope he’s already had a call.”

Ian was confident that Wilsons Auctions could expose Uthopia to the largest possible global audience to achieve the highest market price possible.

“For traffic, our website is in the top half of the top 1% in the world. I don’t have exact figures but looking at the map of the hits around the world is mindblowing,” Ian told H&H. “So when we put something on the site, a lot of people see it.

“We were very keen that people had the opportunity to bid from anywhere online.”

He added: “Now we’ve done our job with Uthopia and the buyer has a couple of days to pay.

“It’s a sad story though and I wish someone had involved me four years ago and then I don’t think we would be sitting here today.”

Ian is a keen horseman himself, having been out eventing the previous week and a regular on the hunting field.

Uthopia was sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group). Mr Keenan and Neill had held joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison.

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Carl Hester‘s London 2012 ride Uthopia has been sold for £165,000 at public auction. The 15-year-old stallion by Metall was lot 80 in Wilsons Auctions’ unreserved prestige auction at the company’s HQ in Mallusk, Northern Ireland.

The bidding on the stallion was intense. He was the 80th lot and his auction lasted far longer than all those that went before him. Rattling through most lots at one or two a minute, the Uthopia’s sale took 13 minutes.

Early bids were sparse as the room did not appear to be full of horse people. The auction consisted mostly of luxury goods such as cars, cigars, watches, luggage, alcohol and even a plane.

Bidding in the room picked up, and reached £65,000 fairly quickly. As bidding appeared to cool, the price rose in agonisingly slow £1,000 increments.

As the hammer came up at £69,000 a new bidder in the room emerged. There followed a back-and-forth bidding duel between the new bidder, a man seated in the stands, and an anonymous bidder standing at the back, whose bids were conveyed by one of the auction’s tellers.

There was an online bid at £160,000, but the bidder in the back of the room was the ultimate victor, giving the nod at £165,000 and edging out the bidder sitting in the stands.

Uthopia was sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group) to an as yet unknown buyer. Mr Keenan and Neill had held joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison.

Prior to the auction, Carl had said that he was hopeful that he had “arranged enough money through owners to keep Uthopia’s future secure”. However, the auction house said that it had received global interest in the sale of the dressage star.

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On Friday 27 May at 6pm Wilsons Auctions’ unreserved prestige auction – which includes the sale of Olympic gold medal winning stallion, Uthopia (Uti) – will begin at Wilsons Auctions’ head office in Mallusk, Northern Ireland.

Horse & Hound’s dressage and sport horse editor Alice Collins will be at the auction bringing us details of the bidding as it happens via our live blog below. The auction starts at 6pm, with Uthopia listed as lot 80 in the auction catalogue.

Alongside Uti, the auction will also include a selection of supercars, prestige jewellery, watches designer goods and more, but we will all be waiting to tenterhooks to find out whether the London 2012 star will have his future secured so he can remain in the care of Carl Hester, or whether he will be sold into the hands of new owners.

Confirmation that Uthopia was to be sold at public auction with no reserve followed many months of speculation and uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the black stallion by Metall, who won team gold under Carl Hester at the London Olympics.

Continued below…

H&H dressage editor’s blog: how much I think Uthopia will sell for

Uthopia’s auctioneers ‘inundated with global interest in his sale’

Carl Hester believes Uthopia’s future is secure

Uthopia is being sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group) who hold joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison.

After initially describing himself as “appauled” that the horse’s future was to be decided in this manner, Carl Hester has said that he is hopeful that he is in a position to secure the stallion’s future with him long-term. However, the auction house has said that it has been inundated with interest in the horse from around the world, so only time will tell as to whether Uti will remain in the hands of those who have cared for him for so long.

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Ahead of Uthopia's sale by public auction at Wilsons Auctioneers in Northern Ireland – where we hope his future with Carl Hester will be secured – H&H's dressage editor attempts to work out how much he's worth as a breeding stallion

Trying to work out how much Uthopia will sell for at public auction is rather like asking how long is a piece of string. Well, if you work out how long that string is likely to live for and what it might do in that time and how it might flex its commercial muscle, you can begin to work it out. Or at least make an educated guess.

I won’t stretch the terrible analogy any further, but so many people are speculating over how much the Olympic gold medal winner will sell for at auction in Northern Ireland tomorrow (Friday 27 April) that I thought I’d try some maths.

I’m adding a caveat here: maths never was my strong suit at school and I’ll probably get the decimal point in the wrong place, but I’ll have a stab at this anyway.

Here are some things we know:

• Uthopia, known as Uti, is a 15-year-old stallion.
• He last competed — under Charlotte Dujardin — on 28 January at Amsterdam CDI where he scored 82.37% in the freestyle.
• Since 2009 he has competed in at least two tests every year.
• He is 1.64m, which is just over 16hh.
• He has been standing at Meadow Stud and available to the public at a stud fee of £1,500.

A vet report following Amsterdam CDI apparently stated that he needed time off to recover from an injury. The rigors of international competition may be too demanding for him, but perhaps he could be a schoolmaster for someone wanting to learn the ropes at grand prix? So is he still worth anything as a sport horse, or does his commercial value lie solely as a breeding stallion?

Being 15, he could reasonably stand at stud for the next five years. How many mares might he cover in that time? Well, that depends a lot on who buys him. He has been standing in the UK, though not promoted or marketed heavily, so has not attracted many mares.

But if one of the big continental studs bought him, the global marketing campaign would kick into overdrive, and he may well attract the attention of many more mare owners.

I phoned the KWPN to find out how many mares their most popular stallions covered in 2015. While they couldn’t pull out exact figures, they said: “Over the past few years, the number of breedings registered with KWPN per dressage stallion is between 1 and 300.”

Not a very exact guide.

So. The magnificent stallion De Niro — ranked number one on the World Breeding rankings — covers about 40 mares a year in the UK.

So lets estimate that Uti might cover a similar number, 50 say. He’s a proven performer, which makes him attractive, but at only a smidge over 16hh he isn’t the breed standard for most continental studbooks. Coupled with question marks around his soundness and that fact that few of his offspring have come to prominence, I can’t imagine he’d cover more mares than that.

So, let’s assume he’d cover 50 mares a year for five years. And lets assume his stud fee stays the same. A lot of assumptions here, I know.

Continued below…

Uthopia’s auctioneers ‘inundated with global interest in his sale’

Carl Hester believes Uthopia’s future is secure

Uthopia to be sold at auction without reserve

So, how does the maths stack up?

50 mares a year at £1,500 = £75,000

That means he has the ability to earn £375,000 over five years.

But as everyone who has so much got a whiff of a horse knows, things often don’t go to plan, and any horse is a risky investment. It also doesn’t take into account any keep fees for the horse during that half-decade and any further years he might live.

Let’s take off keep fees of, conservatively, about £200 a week, as well as marketing and contingency of about £50 a month. Then a bit more for when things go wrong, because with horses they always do from time to time. Then add a bit back on for good measure — and to account for a bit of bidding audacity.

So, based on these calculations how much will Uthopia go for? I estimate about £228,479.

By this time tomorrow, we’ll know if I am right…

Log on to H&H tomorrow from 6pm when the sale gets underway as we cover the auction live from the auction house in Belfast.

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Wilsons Auctioneers, the company tasked with selling Uthopia to the highest bidder later this month, has said they have been “inundated with enquiries”.

Aidan Larkin of Wilsons Auctioneers, which specialises in resolving contested ownership cases, told H&H: “The minute Uthopia’s sale was public knowledge, we were inundated with interest from the UK, from France, from Holland — from all regions.”

Having competed around the globe, the sale of the 15-year-old stallion by Metall has attracted attention from all quarters.

The auction will take place on 27 May in Northern Ireland, but Uthopia will remain at Carl Hester’s yard up to and during the sale.

“There will be a live auction at head office, but the horse will not be moved for it as the last thing we’d want to do is upset him,” said Aidan.

“There will be phone and online bidding for him; there will be images and video of him on Powerpoint.”

He added that there was “no need to be over the top about it”.

“It’s our job to achieve true market value on an open and fair platform, impartially. And for a worldwide horse with worldwide bloodlines there’s also a huge worldwide marketing campaign for him.”

There is no guide price for the Olympic team gold medal-winning horse, who has also been successful under Charlotte Dujardin.

“It’s simply that he goes to the highest bidder,” Aidan confirmed to H&H. “What he’s worth to one person may be very different to what he’s worth to someone else.”

So will the identity of the horse’s new owner be revealed after the auction?

“The final sale price will be there for the world to see, but the new owner may not wish to reveal themselves,” said Aidan. “And the horse may or may not be moved from Carl’s place, where he has been very well looked after for so long.

“Staying with Carl would be a lovely outcome, but it’s an open sale and we are instructed to get market price.

“We completely appreciate the sensitivities at play here — and the horse world is a very tight-knit community — and maybe it will be possible for him to reside at his current home, but that is dependent on the identity and intention of the new owner.”

Related articles:

• Carl Hester ‘appalled’ by sale of Uthopia by auction
• Public pledges to help buy Uthopia for Carl Hester
• How did Uthopia’s career begin? *PICTURES*

However, Carl stated on 30 April that he has “hopefully arranged enough money through owners to keep Uthopia’s future secure”.

All eyes will be on the online auction on 27 May.

• Download the auctioneers’ information pack about Uthopia.

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

Carl Hester has thanked those who have pledged funds to help buy Uthopia – but asked for such schemes to be put on hold as he believes he has the means to secure the horse’s future.

Carl has asked people not to donate to any fundraising pages or similar, as he says “we have hopefully arranged enough money through owners to keep Uthopia’s future secure”.

H&H reported on Friday that a GoFundMe page had been set up in an attempt to buy the London 2012 gold medal-winner, who is to be sold at auction on 27 May with no reserve, and it is believed that other similar pages have also been launched.

A GoFundMe page entitled “Keep Uthopia home with Carl Hester!” and started in America had raised 1,455 US dollars (£993) by today.

Other fans were using social media to pledge donations, to help Carl buy the 15-year-old stallion.

But on Saturday (30 April), Carl posted on Facebook: “I would just like to say how amazing it is that so many people have been in support for helping us keep Uthopia, the enthusiasm of the equestrian community is incredible!

“We have hopefully arranged enough money through owners to keep Uthopia’s future secure. So at this time, although everyone’s generosity is hugely appreciated, I would like to ask that all Go Fund Me and other fundraising pages are put on hold, please do not donate.

“I will keep everyone updated on any progress, but your support, kind words and love for Uti have truly amazed me.”

Anne-Marie Leadbeater commented on Carl’s status: “Carl, I think this has hopefully shown you just how much love and respect you have from the horse community and more… Keeping everything crossed that you are successful in securing Uti’s future.”

Related articles:

• Carl Hester ‘appalled’ by sale of Uthopia by auction
• How did Uthopia’s career begin? *PICTURES*
• At home with Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia

Stefanie Reinhold, who created the GoFundMe page, wrote: “Thank you again for showing how the horse community cares – across borders! The campaign is now suspended. Please be assured that – should Carl not accept this gift – all donations will be refunded in bulk through GoFundMe.

“I cannot do this individually and I also do not have access to the funds as I named Carl Hester as the beneficiary. Thank you for your patience.”

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A GoFundMe page has been set up and calls made to form a consortium to buy Uthopia when he is sold next month.

Hundreds of people have pledged their support for Carl Hester, offering to donate funds, and calling for other buyers to boycott the sale.

H&H reported yesterday (28 April) that the 15-year-old Olympic 2012 gold medal-winner will be sold at auction with no reserve, on 27 May.

The Go FundMe page entitled “Keep Uthopia home with Carl Hester!” set up by Stefanie Reinhold in Wisconsin, America, had reached 745 US dollars (£510) by this morning.

Ms Reinhold wrote: “We are setting a signal and raising awareness. Your help will make a difference — even as a supportive gesture.

“This effort is to raise money to purchase the horse at auction and help keep him home at Carl Hester’s barn, where he can receive the care he needs and have a dignified retirement. Please give what you can. Every bit helps.”

She added that Carl has not commented on the campaign, and that if it needs to be stopped “all donations will be refunded”.

On Facebook, Danielle Barney wrote: “Why don’t you ask everybody to donate something? I’m sure you will raise a large amount as both you and Uti have a very large fan base. I would donate a fee so he can live his days out with you.”

April Dickson was among those to agree, writing: “I would happily donate something. He deserves to be with people that love and care for him.”

Others have warned that the GoFundMe page has no mention of the site’s or PayPal’s fees, and that it may not raise enough money to buy Uthopia, as well as the fact it has not been backed by Carl.

Calls have also been made for other potential buyers to avoid the sale, allowing Carl to buy the horse for a nominal sum.

The rider has made no comment on the campaign, but he said yesterday: “I’m already working hard to find backers to help me buy him and give him the very best care in retirement he deserves.”

Related articles:

• Carl Hester ‘appalled’ by sale of Uthopia by auction
• Charlotte Dujardin reveals all about Uthopia: exclusive video
• H&H readers’ views: Uthopia to be sold at auction

On his Facebook page yesterday, Carl wrote: “We are working hard to find a solution so he can spend his retirement here at home.

“Thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it is really appreciated.”

Sue Paine wrote on Facebook: “This is desperately sad. He should be saved for the nation by an anonymous philanthropist and signed over to Carl for the rest of his natural life.”

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Carl Hester has confirmed he is currently seeking backers to help him secure the future of his London 2012 ride, Uthopia.

The news broke earlier today that the 15-year-old black stallion by Metall is to be sold at public auction on 27 May with no reserve as part of bankruptcy proceedings.

Uthopia is being sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group) who hold joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison. The sale will take place via Wilsons Auctions.

In a statement Carl confirmed that he no longer has any claim to part ownership of the horse. The horse had been registered with the FEI as belonging to Carl and Sasha Stewart since September 2011.

Carl said: “It’s been a distressing experience for us all and with a very unhappy end. ‘Uti’ has been part of the family for 11 years and is a yard favourite.

“Quite simply, I’m appalled that it’s come down to this.

“I’m already working hard to find backers to help me buy him and give him the very best care in retirement he deserves.

“I owe him so much and my immediate concern is for the horse’s welfare. I just want him home to spend the rest of his days at our yard, cared for by those who adore him.”

Continued below…

Uthopia to be sold at auction without reserve

Charlotte Dujardin reveals all about Uthopia: exclusive video

At home with Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia: in pictures

Uthopia was found by Daniella Van Tuijl for Carl as a four-year-old. Bred by Jan Van Zettens in Gelderland, the young stallion was then owned by Ivonne Lawrence, who had ridden him to seventh place in the prestigious young horse championship, the Pavo Cup.

He initially competed in some young horse classes with Sasha Stewart and Carl, then competed up to elementary with Matt Frost, who was riding for Carl at the time, before taking a break from competition to be trained up to grand prix.

Uti returned to competition with Carl in 2009 at prix st georges — and earned Carl his first ever 10. He won 12 of his first 13 starts, including his 2010 grand prix debut.

With Carl riding, he won a total of five championship medals including Olympic team gold at London 2012 and two individual silvers at the 2011 European Championships.

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 Olympic team gold medal winning horse Uthopia is to be sold at public auction on 27 May. There will be no reserve price set.

The news follows many months of speculation and uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the black stallion by Metall, who won team gold under Carl Hester at the London Olympics.

The sale will take place via Wilsons Auctions. Online bidding will be available and further details will be released in due course. The stallion will remain where he is currently stabled until the sale has been concluded.

Uthopia is being sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group) who hold joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates — Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison.

Alongside Uthopia, the auction will also include a selection of supercars, prestige jewellery, watches designer goods and more.

Richard Davison, who rode at the London Olympics as an individual in 2012 on the squad with Carl and Uthopia, has voiced major concerns over the sale.

“Not only is this a degrading way to sell a horse of this caliber, but I’m really worried for his welfare,” Richard told Horse & Hound.

“This horse has received ongoing veterinary care over the past four years and regular therapy from Carl’s home team.

“Without that care and knowledge, I am worried about Uthopia’s welfare.

“I’m told the latest findings are that he needs another year off and, if that is the case, then in my view it is time to retire this horse. There is only one home he should retire to: Carl’s.”

Continued below…

Related articles:

Farewell Uthopia: how did the Olympic gold medallist’s career begin?

Charlotte Dujardin reveals all about Uthopia: exclusive video

Mystery surrounds ownership of Uthopia

In a statement the auctioneers said: “Wilsons Auctions take the welfare of Uthopia very seriously. We recognise the importance of maintaining the level of expert care and attention that the horse has previously enjoyed.

“Uthopia will reside at his current stable yard and be cared for by the same people, throughout this process.

“It is of course possible that he may continue to reside at his current stable yard after the sale has concluded, dependant of course on the identity and intentions of the purchaser.

“We welcome bids from any interested party and it is our wish that the eventual purchaser enjoys owning the horse for many years to come.”

Fifteen-year-old Uthopia has been registered with the FEI as belonging to Carl and Sasha Stewart since September 2011. Before then he was registered solely to Carl, with his first and only other registered owners being Sasha and her father Derek Harrison, from January 2009 to April 2010.

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Charlotte Dujardin will not be able to defend her World Cup title this year.

The Olympic gold medallist cannot compete at the final in Gothenburg, Sweden (24-28 March) due to a legal dispute surrounding her qualified ride Uthopia’s ownership.

As the current reigning champion, Charlotte was automatically eligible for the 2016 final with a horse of her choice.

To compete, she must have taken part in the freestyle to music at least two of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage qualifiers with the horse she planned to ride in the final.

This makes Uthopia, who she competed in qualifiers at Olympia in December and Amsterdam in January, her sole choice.

“Due to the ongoing legal dispute around Uthopia’s ownership, the horse won’t be available to compete at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage final in Gothenburg, and therefore Charlotte will be sadly unable to defend her title,” a British Dressage spokesman told H&H.

“We are not able to comment further on it at present due to the sensitivity of the situation.”

The combination won the Olympia grand prix on a score of 77.46% and came second in the freestyle with 82.55%.

In Amsterdam, they finished fifth in the grand prix on 76.24% and fourth in the freestyle with 82.375%.

This is not the first time H&H has reported Uthopia’s ownership has been in dispute.

Following the London 2012 Olympics — where he was on the gold medal-winning team with rider Carl Hester — complications surrounding the horse’s ownership blocked any potential sale of the stallion.

Related articles:

• Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro crowned World Cup champions
• Charlotte Dujardin wins World Cup dressage grand prix at Olympia
• How did Uthopia’s career begin?

Charlotte won the 2015 title in Las Vegas with dressage superstar Valegro.

The pair scored 94.2% in the grand prix freestyle final — just short of their own world record of 94.3%.

Charlotte and Valegro also won in 2014 at Lyon after being invited to compete on a wildcard.

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Riding Carl Hester and Sasha Stewart’s 14-year-old Metall stallion Uthopia, Charlotte Dujardin once again impressed not only the crowds but also the judges, scoring 77.46% to claim the top spot in Tuesday night’s Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage grand prix, supported by Horse & Hound.

The pair pipped Carl Hester to the post, he and his own and Jane de la Mare’s Don Ruto 11-year-old Nip Tuck posting 76.66% to finish second with an athletic, confident performance to make it a British one-two.

*Advertising message: Report continued below…*

If you love Olympia, then you shouldn’t miss this…

Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud filled third position with the Florestan I 14-year-old Glock’s Flirt, snapping at Carl’s heels with a score of 76.12%. The pair made it look easy with a virtually mistake-free test, just marred by a loss of balance in the piaffe on the final centre line.

“I’m over the moon with that test,” said Charlotte afterwards. “Uthopia hasn’t competed for a long time and it’s a big atmosphere so I was thrilled with him. We haven’t done an awful lot of tests together, so it’s still a new partnership.

“Being a stallion, he is totally different to Valegro,” she added. “On Valegro I think and it just happens, whereas Uthopia I really have to ride every second. Being a stallion, he’s a bit smarter and more switched on, but he’s great fun to ride.

“Just the left pirouette was a little small. He knows that test inside out and he knew where that pirouette was before I got there.”

The top 15 combinations from the grand prix will go forward to contest Wednesday evening’s freestyle, when Carl and Nip Tuck will unveil their much-anticipated new routine, set to music from Mr Selfridge.

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The 16 confirmed entries for this year’s World Cup dressage qualifier throw up some fresh faces to the London arena, as well as some better-known horses and riders.

Valegro is a notable absentee from the list. Charlotte Dujardin will instead partner Carl Hester’s London Olympics ride Uthopia. This will be the combination’s sixth international show, the last being at Windsor CDI in May 2014 (pictured), where they won the grand prix and freestyle with 76.9% and 83.6% – the 14-year-old Metall stallion’s second best freestyle to music score.

His best was under Carl at the European Championships in Herning, Denmark, where their score of 84.17% earned them the silver medal.

At Olympia this year, Carl will ride his recent championship partner, Nip Tuck. Together they represented Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games in 2014 and at the 2015 European Championships and are currently ranked 12th in the world. This will be the 11-year-old gelding by Don Ruto’s second trip to Olympia, having finished fifth in the freestyle last year.

Another British silver medal winning-team horse from the European Championships in Aachen this year, Atterupgaards Orthilia, will start at Olympia, under Fiona Bigwood.

“Tillie”, a 10-year-old mare by Gribaldi, will be at just her seventh international show with Fiona.

Fiona’s partner Anders Dahl rides the experienced campaigner Wie Atlantico, a horse in his eighth year of international grand prix level competition.

Another rider carrying the British flag will be Henriette Andersen on the Jazz gelding Warlock’s Charm. The rider and Jennifer Charlsworth’s 12-year-old hasn’t been out since Saumur in September, where he finished fourth in the freestyle with 74.17%.

Lara Griffith makes a return to the London show, having formerly competed there on Andretti H. This year she rides the Bechtolsheimers’ Rubin Al Asad, a 13-year-old gelding by Rubin Royal.

From across the pond, the most notable campaigner is Hans Peter Minderhoud. The popular Dutch rider will bring Glock’s Flirt. And Ireland’s in-form Judy Reynolds returns with her springy Jazz son Vancouver K.

The grand prix takes place in the evening of Tuesday 15 December, with the freestyle to music on Wednesday 16 December during the gala performance.

Olympia Horse Show dressage entries full list

• Henriette Andersen (GBR) Warlocks Charm
• Fiona Bigwood (GBR) Atterupgaards Orthilia
• Mr Gonçalo Carvalho (POR) Batuta
• Anders Dahl (DEN) Wie-Atlantico De Ymas
• Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) Uthopia
• Ms Lara Griffith (GBR) Rubin Al Asad
• Carl Hester (GBR) Nip Tuck
• Agnete Kirk Thinggaard (DEN) Jojo Az
• Inna Logutenkova (UKR) Fleraro
• Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) Glock’s Flirt
• Daniel Pinto (POR) Santurion De Massa
• Judy Reynolds (IRL) Vancouver K
• Diederik Van Silfhout (NED) Bonzanjo
• Fanny Verliefden (BEL) Annarico
• Jorinde Verwimp (BEL) Tiamo

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Shares in the exciting British-bred young stallion U-Genius have been sold to two of Carl Hester’s long-term supporters.

Roly Luard, co-owner of Valegro, and Anne Seifert-Cohn are now co-owners of the four-year-old stallion with Carl and Claire Hester.

U-Genius is by Uthopia, who Carl rode in the London 2012 Olympics, and out of Weidyfleur II, Valegro’s only breeding full sister. He was bred by Claire (who used to be married by Carl’s step father) in 2011.

“Although there was never any question of him being sold abroad he has received a lot of interest and this newly formed syndicate will ensure U-Genius’ future is in British hands,” Claire told H&H.

“Apart from being directly related to gold medal winners on both sides of his pedigree, he shows enormous promise in his own right.

“Carl is very excited by his future prospects, saying this may be the last he horse he will take from grass roots to grand prix.”

Roly has invested in horses for Carl over many years, as well as co-owning dressage superstar Valegro, who holds world records for all three types of grand prix competition, she also owned Escapado, who partnered Carl at the Athens Olympics in 2004, the Hagen European Championships in 2005 and won the national champion title in 2004.

Anne, with whom Carl was based for several years, is also co-owner of Barolo with Carl. Barolo recently made a winning grand prix debut with Charlotte Dujardin at Hartpury Festival of Dressage premier league grand prix (9 July).

U-Genius will move to Carl’s yard in autumn, having been brought on slowly at home by Claire and Amy Woodhead.

“U-Genius is a licensed stallion and it is hoped his first progeny will be on the ground next year; I have also recently bred his full sister,” added Claire.

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Charlotte Dujardin has been voted Sky Sports’ sportswoman of the month for April, adding to her long list of accolades.

Charlotte received 35% of the votes cast by Sky viewers, ahead of netballer Helen Housby (12%). Golfer Lexi Thompson (15%) finished third.

The gold medal-winning dressage rider last month became Britain’s first ever World Cup champion when she won in Lyon with Valegro.

And the world number one rode Uthopia (Metall/Inspektur) to a 79.22% grand prix freestyle to music win at Saumur CDI in France at the weekend (1-4 May).

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World number one dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin rode Uthopia (Metall/Inspektur) to a 79.22% grand prix freestyle to music win at Saumur CDI in France this weekend (1-4 May).

Other British riders also triumphed, including Carl Hester, who won the grand prix and the special on Dances With Wolves, and Phoebe Peters who was another double winner on her pony SL Lucci.

Watch Charlotte and Uthopia in action

Read all the latest news about Charlotte Dujardin

Don’t miss our report from Saumur CDI in the 15 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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The list of riders nominated to compete in the FEI World Cup dressage qualifier at Olympia Horse Show (16-22 December) has been released and includes 3 of the 4 bronze medal-winning British team riders from this year’s European Championships.

World No.1 Charlotte Dujardin is nominated on both Valegro (pictured) and Uthopia, though H&H columnist Carl Hester has confirmed that Valegro is the more likely starter. Carl will ride Gemma Green’s Florestan stallion Fine Time, with whom he is the current British Dressage national champion.

A total of 9 British riders have made the starting line-up.

Lara Griffith will make her Olympia debut with Laura Tomlinson’s former ride Andretti H. Roland Tong, riding for Ireland, will also make his debut on his Europeans ride Pompidou.

Laura is not competing, but will attend Olympia with Mistral Hojris for an official retirement ceremony.

Emile Faurie partners his new grand prix horse Topolino (by Tip Top), while Michael Eilberg has the choice of either his Europeans ride Half Moon Delphi or Marakov. Judy Harvey, Nikki Crisp and Anna Ross Davies complete the strong British contingent.

Fans of the popular Dutch couple Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud will be pleased to see that both are set to compete at the popular show, though it is still uncertain which of their massive string of top level horses they will ride. Dutch rising star and Olympia debutante Danielle Heijkoop comes fresh from dual victories at the CDI4* Oldenburg earlier this month on her Gribaldi son Kingsley Siro.

Germany’s sole representative, the multi-talented Ingrid Klimke, will ride the British-owned Dresden Mann. The former breeding stallion, now gelded, is only nine.

British-based Dane Anders Dahl partners his wife Fiona Bigwood’s Wie Weltmeyer gelding Wie Atlantico, while his compatriot Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein will ride the charismatic and high-scoring Donnerhall gelding, Digby.

The grand prix takes place at 3pm on Monday, 16 December with the freestyle to music the following evening. H&H will be offering free, live, interactive written commentary from the show.

Definite entries will be announced on 6 December.

The nominated entries are:

AUS BERESFORD, Hayley — Jaybee Alabaster

AUS OATLEY, Lyndal — Sandro Boy

BEL MISSIAEN, Simon — Vradin

DEN DAHL, Anders — Wie Atlantico de Ymas

DEN SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN, Nathalie zu — Digby

GBR CRISP, Nikki — Pasoa

GBR DU JARDIN, Charlotte — Uthopia or Valegro

GBR EILBERG, Michael — Half Moon Delphi or Marakov

GBR FAURIE, Emile — Topolino

GBR GRIFFITH, Lara — Andretti H

GBR HARVEY, Judith — Fitzcerraldo

GBR HESTER, Carl — Fine Time

GBR ROSS DAVIES, Anna — Pegasus MK

GBR WATSON, Daniel — Fideramber

GER KLIMKE, Ingrid — Dresden Mann

IRL DWYER, Kate — Reve Dor

IRL TONG, Roland — Pompidou

NED ESSEN, Aat van — Macrider Premier or Sebastian

NED GAL, Edward — Glock’s Undercover or Glock’s Voice or Interfloor Next One

NED GEVERS, Katja — Thriller

NED HEIJKOOP, Danielle — Kingsley Siro

NED HEUITINK, Joyce — Wup

NED MINDERHOUD, Hans Peter — Glock’s Romanov or Glock’s Tango or Glock’s Ziesto

SWE HAMILTON, Malin — Fleetwood

SWE TELDE, Minna — Santana

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Dressage’s golden girl Charlotte Dujardin is back on top of the world — taking the number 1 spot in the dressage rankings.

The British rider and 11-year old Olympic partner Valegro have reclaimed the top placing in this month’s FEI World Dressage Rankings.

The London 2012 double gold medallists won 3 more medals at the European Championships in Denmark last month — including 2 individual golds and team bronze, putting them back up at the top.

They now have 2,915 points, knocking last month’s leaders Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival off the top spot. The pair have gone down to 3rd, while Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW lie in 2nd place.

Carl Hester and Uthopia have jumped from 91st to 31st — the biggest move in the rankings this month. This is thanks to strong performances in Denmark where they were on the bronze medal-winning team and at Hickstead in August, where they were on the winning Nations Cup team and topped the individual freestyle.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in pictures

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Carl Hester led the British dressage team to victory in the final leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2013 pilot series at Hickstead yesterday.

Scoring a massive 81.65% with his Olympic ride Uthopia, Carl was thrilled with the black stallion’s performance. Highlights included the passage and piaffe, along with Uthopia’s trademark expressive trot extension.

“It was like being back in the good old days of 2010,” said Carl. “I don’t know what happened because he was hot as hell, but he felt like a million dollars!“

Uthopia has been campaigned by Charlotte Dujardin since the Olympics, but Carl will ride him at the European Championships later this month.

“I had a fab ride, it was a great boost for us both,” he explained. “I haven’t ridden him since the Olympics really and now I’m seriously looking forward to the Europeans in Herning. This has put us both in the right frame of mind.”

The British effort kicked off with 69.7% from Nikki Crisp and Pasoa, followed by 72.65% from Michael Eilberg and Marakof and 74.25% from Gareth Hughes with DV Stenjkers Nadonna.

Gareth, who had also been part of the winning British team in Rotterdam, was delighted to contribute to another British triumph.

“I think the Nations Cup series is a fantastic idea,” he said. “It gives so many more riders the opportunity to compete. Nations Cup has been a big thing for the jumpers for a very long time, it’s great for us to have it in dressage now — I think it’s a big step up for the sport.”

Although Olympic individual and team gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was not part of the Nations Cup team at Hickstead, she was in action with Valegro. The pair showed they were in good form ahead of the Europeans winning both the grand prix and grand prix special to the delight of the home crowds.

Full report from Dressage at Hickstead in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 8 August

Dressage at Hickstead Nations Cup result

1. Great Britain 76.183: Pasoa (Nikki Crisp) 69.700, Marakof (Michael Eilberg) 72.650, DV Stenjkers Nadonna (Gareth Hughes) 74.250, Uthopia (Carl Hester) 81.650.

2. USA 75.258: Alina (Arlene Page) 69.200, Breanna (Kathleen Raine) 75.650, Doktor (Shelly Francis) 74.500, Coral Reef Wylea (Guenter Seidel) 75.625.

3. Germany 73.267: Darjeeling (Stephan Koberle) 70.100, Nymphenburgs Rockport (Johanna von Fircks) 71.025, Riccoletto (Matthias Kempkes) 71.025, Loverboy (Jenny Lang) 77.750.

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The British dressage team for the European championships will include the three riders — and horses — who secured Team GBR’s historic Olympic dressage gold.

Double Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin (Valegro), Carl Hester (Uthopia) and Laura Tomlinson (Mistral Hojris) will be joined by Michael Eilberg (Half Moon Delphi) to defend the British title in Denmark this summer (20-25 August)

It is a “mouth watering” prospect, said performance director Will Connell.

“The team will be focused on giving the British public another opportunity to shout and cheer for the ‘dancing horses’,” he added. 

Alongside the London trio (pictured above), Michael Eilberg makes his senior debut. He told H&H he felt “chuffed and honoured” by the call-up, after winning the grand prix special at Hartpury CDI3* with Half Moon Delphi (see report in 11 July H&H magazine on p38).

The line-up is unexpected because Valegro and Uthopia were destined to be sold after London 2012 and there was a question mark over whether Mistral Hojris — who is now 18 — would be too to old contest another major championship.

But a dispute over the legal ownership of Uthopia put that sale on hold and attempts by Valegro’s owners, Carl Hester and Roly Luard, to sell or syndicate him came to nothing. 

And when Laura and ‘Alf’ made a stunning return to competition at Hagen CDI4* (report, 25 April), the selectors were left in no doubt as to who to take to Denmark.

Don’t miss today’s Horse & Hound magazine (11 July, 2013) for an exclusive interview with Charlotte Dujardin on what it’s like to ride Uthopia

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

Take a look at some behind the scenes shots from Horse & Hound’s visit to Carl Hester’s yard last week, where we watched Uthopia train and talked to rider Charlotte Dujardin about her new challenge.

For the full interview, don’t miss Horse & Hound 11 July issue.

If you enjoyed this gallery, here are some more H&H picture collections:

Barbury Horse Trials 2013: in pictures

Andrew Nicholson and Avebury repeated their triumph in one of two CIC3* sections at the 2013 event. And as well as elite eventing in the beautiful summer sunshine, the crowds were treated to a range of other entertainment, including a retrained racehorse dressage demonstration by Kauto Star and Laura Collett and the popular Lamb National.

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Top 20 event horses of the past 20 years: pics

While our most diligent readers will know the delightful Lenamore carries the most British Eventing points since records were digitised, how many of the other top 20 horses can you name?

Check your knowledge against our gallery of the top 20 brilliant event horses (2013), based on BE points. These special equine athletes have represented their countries at international championships while competing successfully at the very highest level throughout their long and illustrious careers.

As well as a number of iconic equines of the past, also well placed within the top 20 are a number of current eventing stars, who you can expect to climb up the leaderboard as their careers continue.

Michael Owen gallery: equestrian success for former footballer and racing enthusiast

The Owens are a horsey family — not only does Michael own Tom Dascombe’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire, his wife Louise is a patron of the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre and his daughter Gemma was selected for the Welsh under-12 dressage team.

Check out our gallery of Michael Owen at the races.

Great Britain’s Olympic showjumping gold: one year on

On 6 August 2012 in Greenwich, London, Team GBR celebrated its first Olympic showjumping gold medal in 60 years. We look back in pictures at that heady day…

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Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia won the Superflex grand prix freestyle at Hartpury Festival of Dressage with a score of 82.625%. This followed their success in the grand prix on Friday.

Watch their winning test below…

Full report from Hartpury in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 11 July

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Charlotte Dujardin rode Carl Hester’s London 2012 Olympic team gold medalist Uthopia to a comfortable victory in the Holiday Inn FEI Grand Prix at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage earlier today (Friday 5 July).

The pair scored 76.404% to collect their second grand prix win. They won their debut together in Saumur in May and finished second to Edward Gal in Rotterdam.

Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi were second with 73%. Michael and the grey Dimaggio mare are among the combinations fighting for the fourth British team slot at the European Championships in Denmark in August.

Another pairing with a chance of beating them to it are Gareth Hughes and Nadonna, not present at Hartpury but due to compete at Hickstead in a few weeks’ time.

Charlotte and Michael were the only riders to score more than 70% in the Hartpury grand prix — Anders Dahl was third with 67.277% on Wie-Atlantico De Ymas.

And British riders swept the board at the para dressage international, with Sophie Christiansen, Lee Pearson, Natasha Baker, Deborah Criddle and Sophie Wells all winning their classes.

• See Horse & Hound magazine, 11 July for full report

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The British team scored a historical win in the Nations Cup team dressage competition in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This is the second dressage Nations Cup of this year’s pilot series and the result was decided on the grand prix test.

Daniel Watson posted an international personal best with the Fidermark son Fideramber of 67.83%, shortly followed by Carl Hester and the Florestan gelding Fine Time’s 71.53% and another plus-70% score from Gareth Hughes and DV Stenkjers Nadonna.

Valegro (pictured above), now 11, stormed around with his customary bounce and expression for 82.191% under Charlotte Dujardin — a mega score but more than 2% shy of their world grand prix record set at Olympia in December.

Valegro has not been beaten since January 2012.

Daniel said: “We were first to go so it was nice and quiet. I’m overwhelmed by the win — I’m not used to all this attention, I’m normally on my own at shows! This is the best day of my life and nothing tops it.”

The main rivals, the Dutch, had three scores just shy of 70% with their trump card Edward Gal (Glock’s Undercover) still to go.

Three scores from the four riders count towards the final classification. Edward would have needed to exceed Charlotte’s current world record of 84.447% to take the Dutch into the lead.

For much of the test he wavered around that mark, but wobbly changes and an ugly final halt saw the score drop to 79.66%, leaving the Brits the clear winners of the opening leg, scooping the €9,000 first prize.

Gareth Hughes (pictured) was thrilled to gain 4% on his test score from the shame show last year with Nadonna.

“She held her nerve and at the last three shows she’s become really secure and is showing herself more,” he said of the Donnerschlag daughter. “It was really nice to break the 70% barrier as part of the team. You think the individual wins are the pinnacle, but to be able to share it makes it more special.

“We’re having a great time together and celebrating — but I don’t really drink so I’ll smell some champagne!”

The British average score was 74.624% to the Dutch 73.035%. Sweden, who fielded a team of just three, were third with an average score of 69.291%.

Charlotte (Uthopia) and Carl (Dances With Wolves) will ride in the CDI3* competition on Thursday evening. They finished second and third respectively in the opening grand prix.

The CDIO5* fixture at Aachen in Germany will stage the next leg on 27 June and the series will draw to a close at Hickstead CDIO3* on Sunday 4 August where the result will be decided on the grand prix freestyle.

For full results from the Nations Cup opening round click here.

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Two of the horses who helped secure Olympic gold in 2012 may yet make another championship appearance for Britain later this year.

Valegro and Uthopia were both destined to be sold after the London Games, but a dispute over the legal ownership of Uthopia put that sale on hold. Attempts by Valegro’s owners Roly Luard and Carl Hester to syndicate or sell him have so far come to nothing.

Last week, a carefully worded statement from the British Equestrian Federation suggested that either horse may yet be selected for the European Championships later this summer — but possibly not both, since Charlotte Dujardin now has the ride on each.

She is entered to compete not only Valegro at Rotterdam next month (19-23 June), but also Uthopia at Compiègne CDI in France (31 May-2 June).

Following her successful debut with the stallion in Saumur (2-5 May), Charlotte seems to have been handed the ride permanently, while Carl focuses on Aram Gregory’s exciting Dances With Wolves.

“If they are available for selection for championships in the future, it is great news for both British dressage and Charlotte and Valegro’s legion of fans,” said performance director Will Connell.

In a post-Olympic interview with H&H, Charlotte said she expected never to compete the now 11-year-old Valegro again. But when the gelding failed to sell by Christmas, she rode him at the FEI World Cup dressage at Olympia, setting a new world grand prix record score of 84.447%.

Roly Luard told H&H: “Valegro is in fantastic shape and we are all looking forward to Charlotte competing him again.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (30 May 2013)

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