Latest from Horse & Hound in Valegro

‘Even when you see the end coming, it doesn’t make it any easier’ – Carl Hester shares his special memories of Valegro and Uthopia

Carl Hester — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:20:01 +0000

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.

Uthopia’s legacy will live on in his offspring. (Image credit: Robin Utrecht/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events, as well as exclusive insights from top names, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

Relive the night Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin rewrote dressage history at Olympia

Oscar Williams — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:40:25 +0000

On the eve of the 2025 edition of the London International Horse Show, we relive the world record-breaking tests of Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin at Olympia in 2014.

The pair shattered both the grand prix and freestyle world records on successive nights, adding to the grand prix special record they set two years earlier. To this day, Valegro and Charlotte still hold all three world records.

Below is our original report from that electric evening at Olympia, written by then Horse & Hound dressage editor Alice Collins, along with footage of their iconic freestyle – a performance that helped redefine the sport.

The original report on Charlotte and Valegro’s world record performance

“I just don’t know what more you can ask,” said judge Isobel Wessels after the absolute masters of the dressage universe – Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro – broke a second world record in as many days at Olympia.

The world number ones produced two extraordinary, spellbinding performances to better their own records two nights on the bounce. The horse’s adjustability, willingness, athleticism and power were simply breathtaking.

As Charlotte planted her final halt in the freestyle, smack back on the music, the capacity crowd impulsively rose to their feet and showed their appreciation for the pair who have propelled the sport of dressage into the mainstream consciousness.

“They never missed a beat” is a hackneyed old phrase, but in this instance actually true.

Charlotte grinned and punched the air, struggling to rein in her emotion.

“In the last piaffe-passage I was nearly in tears,” she said.

“However much I want from this horse, he gives it to me – that’s what makes me so emotional. He just keeps on giving and giving, and it’s the most incredible feeling. When all those people stood up, I felt so proud.”

The pressures of the Olympia arena – with the crowds so close – are well documented. But Charlotte was hot off the red carpet from the Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony in Glasgow, where she was fourth with over 75,000 votes.

“Coming here and performing was the easiest thing in the world after standing in front of 12,000 people. This, riding, is what I do every day – but standing in front of people? No. In a dress? No! I was like a nappy horse when I went up on stage, I just wanted to turn and run. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to come through my dress.”

She left behind all traces of those nerves for Olympia.

In the grand prix – where the top three were unchanged from 2013 – Charlotte “just rode a schooling round” as 12-year-old Valegro had not been to a show since the World Equestrian Games in Caen in August (where they also won everything – there’s a theme here).

“Win or lose, if he’s tried his hardest and I‘ve done my best, the score is irrelevant,” she shrugged. “The record’s just a bonus.”

The freestyle test was flawless, with not a single mis-step.

Judge Isobel Wessels said: “Everything was there in the test. The difficulty factor maybe didn‘t come across, but that’s because they made everything look so easy – even the canter half-passes were so steep. And Tom Hunt’s music was magical – like a story, not just belting sound out.”

Isobel awarded a remarkable artistic mark of 99%.

“I couldn’t give 100% as I thought the computer would blow up,” she joked. “I wasn’t sure it could take the extra digit. I thought it might be like the millennium bug all over again.”

Fellow judge Stephen Clarke added: “I honestly didn’t think we’d replicate the magic of the night back in 2009 when Edward Gal broke the world record on Totilas – but Charlotte doing this is out of this world. I don’t know what it is about this show, but the horses go amazingly here.”

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

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

Oscar Williams — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:15:00 +0000

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

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

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:03:40 +0000

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”.

Carl and Uthopia. (Image credit: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle)

“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

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

Becky Murray — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:57:29 +0000

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.”

Charlotte and Valegro pictured at Rio 2016. (Image credit: © Nixonphoto)

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

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

Becky Murray — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:17:57 +0000

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 and Uthopia. (Image credit: Jon Stroud)

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.

Alan Davies and Valegro H&H 30 April 2020. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“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.”

Do you have a special memory of Valegro or Uthopia that you’d like to share with other H&H readers? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to have it published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine – plus don’t miss further tributes to Valegro and Uthopia in 11 December issue

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

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

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:28:00 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin has paid her final tribute to her superstar dancing partner Valegro, or Blueberry as he was fondly known, after his death aged 23.

She and Carl Hester announced today that Valegro and Uthopia, best of friends throughout their lives, had been allowed to go peacefully together.

Charlotte addressed her words to “Dear Blueberry”.

“I love you,” she said. “I don’t know how to start this with any other words.

“I knew of course this day would come, but I don’t think I could ever be ready for it. And I’m sitting here, summoning up the courage to write this, knowing I’ll never have the words, knowing they’ll never be enough, but wanting to share something anyway because so many people loved you and it just feels like the right thing to do. You have been and still are so loved.

“You have been my constant, my rock. Through the highest highs and the lowest lows, your gentle presence, your steady heartbeat, the silent moments we shared together have been my everything, the place I could always go to. In those quiet moments we had so many conversations without words; you loved me completely, as I am. You saw my heart and I yours.

“I’ve never sat on a horse like you, Blueberry. It was always your heart and your mind that made you the best. We grew together, learned together, believed together. You would enter the arena and just know how special you were – I could feel you grow. The hush of the crowd as everyone turned to look at you. It would make me sit a little taller, shoulders back, head up – I just wanted to do you proud, to show the world what you were capable of; I could feel every muscle in your body move, every breath you took, every shiver of excitement and we would just melt into each other, it was like you could hear my heart speak and I yours.

“A partnership that everyone talks about, but you can’t really know until you’ve experienced it. And we danced Blueberry, didn’t we dance…”

Charlotte Duajrdin at the Rio Olympics in 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Valegro, owned by Roly Luard and Anne Barrott, was bred by Joop and Maartje Hanse. He moved to Carl Hester’s yard aged two, and although he was initially given to Charlotte to bring on for Carl, their partnership was so strong, it could not be broken.

Charlotte said Blueberry transformed the sport; the London Olympics in 2012 were “the greatest stage”.

“We had no idea how our worlds would change, just a girl and a horse, trying our best,” she said.

“But the biggest gift of all was the amount of joy you brought to this world. You made people smile every single day of your life. What a rare and special gift that is. You were born to do it, you always knew who needed extra care – so gentle with my children and the many others who met you, particularly those unwell. Seeing eyes light up – what a difference you made.

Alan Davies with Valegro. (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

“To those who were able to meet you, even if just passing by, you gave hope, love and belief – you genuinely changed people’s lives, just with a touch, a nuzzle, warm breath on a face; just by being you. I’m so glad William and Isabella met you – they will grow up knowing your name, hearing stories about you, looking at pictures and videos of you. You will live on, not just in theirs, but in so many peoples’ hearts, and that gives me great happiness – you deserve to, and will be, remembered for ever.

“You chose me. And I was for ever yours. I don’t know why, or how, but I thank my lucky stars you did. Our story is one that anyone who’s ever loved a horse can relate to – far beyond the medals and the talent, the reason to keep going, the reason we get up in the morning and do what we do, for the simple love of a horse.

“You have been, and always will be, my one in a million and it has been the honour of my life to be not only your dance partner but best friend. The magic we had, no one can take from us, and we will dance again one day.

“I feel you with me, I know you’re here. I saw a robin after I’d finished my tests the other day – just sitting quietly nearby, watching. Joined by a second before both flying off. You and Uti, always side by side, together always. I miss you both, more than I can say. The robin stayed just long enough for me to know you were there with me. It lifts me, and I will always look for you.

“I love you Blueberry. With every inch of my heart. For ever and always. My beautiful, best boy.”

Do you have a special memory of Valegro that you’d like to share with other H&H readers? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to have it published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine – plus don’t miss further tributes to Valegro and Uthopia in 11 December issue

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

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

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:27:51 +0000

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.

Carl Hester and Uthopia (Image credit: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle)

“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.”

Do you have a special memory of Valegro or Uthopia that you’d like to share with other H&H readers? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to have it published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine – plus don’t miss further tributes to Valegro and Uthopia in 11 December issue

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

‘Your spirit will live on for ever’: legendary sire of Valegro dies aged 29

Oscar Williams — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:57:23 +0000

Anne and Gertjan Van Olst’s influential breeding stallion Negro, one of the most significant sires in modern dressage and the father of Valegro, has died at the age of 29.

“One week before your 30th birthday, you, Gertjan and I decided that [the] time had come,” Anne said. “Out of love and respect, we had to let you go.

“Thank you for everything my love – you will be missed every second of the day, but your spirit will live on for ever.”

Negro was bred by Wouter Borgers and born in 1995. The striking black stallion, by Olympic Ferro out of the Variant mare Fewrie, made an immediate impact in the sport.

“I remember Ferro at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 – his piaffe and passage were like nobody else’s,” Gertjan told H&H in 2023.

“He had power and a really strong connection over the back, so I knew I wanted a son of his. Negro was exactly what I was looking for – and he became the most important stallion for us.”

Negro’s career began with a string of successes in KWPN young horse competitions. He won the KWPN young stallion titles for five- and six-year-olds in 2000 and 2001, securing victories at qualifiers across the Netherlands, and the final at the KWPN Stallion Approvals in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

He also took the young star stallion title at Zwolle and was the highest-placed KWPN horse at the 2001 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, finishing fourth under Anne with a score of 8.5.

He successfully transitioned to small tour level, winning three of his four starts, fuelling ambitions of a campaign for the Athens Olympics in 2004. But a hoof infection in 2003 brought his competition career to an abrupt end.

Although his time in the arena was cut short, Negro’s influence on dressage was only just beginning. He became one of the most sought-after sires in the sport, producing offspring renowned for their movement, rideability, and natural ability for collection.

His most famous son, Valegro, changed the face of dressage with Charlotte Dujardin, rewriting the sport’s record books and securing Olympic, World, and European titles. Valegro’s dominance at the highest level firmly established Negro’s legacy as a sire of champions.

Recognising his impact on breeding, KWPN awarded Negro preferent status in 2012, a distinction reserved for stallions with outstanding influence. In 2017, he was named KWPN stallion of the year, and in the most recent World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings, he was ranked 21st among the world’s top 100 dressage sires.

Negro’s bloodline remains one of the most influential in the sport; he has more than 1,650 registered offspring, 38 licensed sons and more than 20 offspring competing at international grand prix.

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

Happy birthday Charlotte Dujardin! 38 pictures to celebrate her big day

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:02:09 +0000

It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time for Charlotte Dujardin before Valegro, medal podiums, champagne and Union Flags. And to celebrate her 38th birthday today (13 July 2023) we’ve dug deep into the archives to take a look back at some of her career highlights so far.

Charlotte Dujardin’s career in pictures

1. The early showing days riding Ardenhall Royal Secret, who was put down in 2018

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

2. Charlotte and Weltpower at Addington in 2008

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

3. Charlotte looks focused on board Duchess II at Hartpury

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

4. Charlotte riding Winston Bond

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

5. A sight from the past: Charlotte wearing a top hat aboard Fernandez

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

6. Charlotte and Don Archie

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

7. Florentina as a youngster

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

8. Valegro at the British Young Horse and Breeding Championships, September 2008

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

9. The early days: Charlotte and Valegro

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

10. Valegro demonstrating his incredible off the floor canter

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

11. The power duo: Carl Hester and Charlotte (not forgetting Valegro of course!)

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

12. Then Team GBR chef d’equipe Richard Waygood escorts the famous pair into the arena at the European dressage championships in Rotterdam, 2011

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

13. At home: Valegro shows off his Olympia rug

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

14. Valegro enjoys some downtime in the field

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

15. The golden moment: Charlotte and Valegro at London 2012

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

16. London 2012: the famous pair head to the arena

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

17. When Charlotte lost a bet with H&H photographer Kevin Sparrow at the national championships, her forfeit was that she had to get in the hot tub fully clothed. At least there was champagne to compensate…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

18. Charlotte accompanies Carl and Uthopia at the FEI Nations Cup Dressage at Hickstead in 2013

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

19. Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia at home in Gloucestershire

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

20. Charlotte with Valegro’s owner Roly Luard after receiving the horse of the year award given to Valegro by the British Equestrian Writers Association at their annual lunch at Olympia in 2013

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

21. Charlotte riding Valegro at Olympia in 2013 after setting another world record (93.975%)

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

22. Ditching the dressage arena: Charlotte riding Libby Towers’ working hunter, Harley Foxtrot at Paunceford Court near Ledbury in Herefordshire, 2014

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

23. In high demand: Charlotte gives her autograph at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, 2014

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

24. Valegro enjoys a victory lap in the D’Ornano Stadium in Caen, Normandy at the 2014 World Equestrian Games

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

25. What a backdrop: Charlotte and Uthopia at the 2014 Royal Windsor Horse Show

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

26. Charlotte celebrates in Las Vegas after successfully defending her Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage title in April 2015

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

27. Centre stage: Dujardin and Valegro at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage final in Las Vegas 2015

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

28. Charlotte takes to the sofa on the BBC’s Clare Balding Show, with Victoria Pendleton and AP McCoy in April 2015

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

29. Charlotte and Mount St John Top Secret

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

30. Charlotte and Barolo on their way to a winning performance at Hartpury, 2015

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

31. Charlotte receives a rocking horse replica of Valegro for Christmas 2016

Charlotte being presented with a Valegro Rocking Horse at the Olympia International Horse Show at Olympia, London, UK; on 14th December 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

32. Charlotte and Valegro on their way to Olympic glory in Rio

Charlotte Dujardin GBR riding Valegro, during the grand prix of the dressage competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 11th August 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

33. Charlotte Dujardin pops River Rise Escala over a log on the cross-country course at Somerford Park

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

34. Charlotte Dujardin rides Gio, aka Pumpkin, to win his first grand prix test in January 2020

Addington High Profile Dressage 10th to 12th January 2020026 - Charlotte Dujardin and Gio (Image credit: www.hoofprintsphotos.co.uk)

35. Charlotte and Mount St John Freestyle en-route to winning the freestyle at Olympia in 2019

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

36. Charlotte and her Tokyo Olympic ride Gio at Wellington CDI in 2021

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

37. Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep competing in the grand prix at the World Championships in Herning 2022

Charlotte DUJARDIN (GBR) riding Imhotep during the Grand Prix for the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Team Championship at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning in Denmark between 6th - 14th August 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

38. Charlotte Dujardin at home with her double Olympic champion Valegro, aka Blueberry, and baby Isabella in 2023

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

You may also be interested in…

(Image credit: Jess Photography)

Charlotte Dujardin on how motherhood has changed her outlook as a competitor – ‘it’s really opened my eyes’

‘A real one for Paris’: Aachen grand prix result boosts Charlotte Dujardin’s Olympic hopes

From foal to Olympic champion: celebrating Valegro’s stellar career on his 21st birthday

(Image credit: Jess Photography)

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.

Valegro to star at BD National Convention, with glittering line-up of Olympians

Polly Bryan — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:39:23 +0000

Dressage fans have another reason to look forward to the 2023 British Dressage (BD) National Convention – Valegro has been confirmed as appearing at the event alongside main presenter Charlotte Dujardin.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, her double individual Olympic gold medallist, will both appear at the convention, which will take place at Addington Equestrian on 25-26 November, in partnership with Equestrian Management Agency.

And Charlotte is not the only British medallist set to star: six-time Olympian Carl Hester, world silver medallist Gareth Hughes and Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson have also been confirmed as presenting at the event, which is now in its 25th year.

Valegro last appeared at the national convention in 2015, the year before he won individual Olympic gold and team silver in Rio. Now 21 years old, the Negro gelding is enjoying an active retirement at Carl’s Gloucestershire yard, with plenty of hacking and the occasional session in the arena.

The two-day event is intended to be a celebration of British dressage riders’ achievements over the past 10 years, and exploring the ways in which all riders can benefit from the training methods used by Carl, Charlotte and their teammates.

Day and weekend tickets are now on sale, from £55.

From foal to Olympic champion: celebrating Valegro’s stellar career on his 21st birthday

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:05:36 +0000

When it comes to celebrating a legendary horse like Valegro, whose 21st birthday it is today (5 July, 2023), where do you start? With so many medals, titles and records, it’s hard to keep track.

So join us as we look back at some of his career highlights in pictures…

1. Small beginnings: Valegro as a foal with his dam Maifleur

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

2. Charlotte Dujardin and a young Valegro impress at the British Dressage National Championships in 2008

180 , charlotte dujardin , valegro (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

3. Valegro’s early top hat days: at Addington Area Festival in 2009

Charlotte Dujardin - Valegro (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

4. In action at the British Dressage National Championships in 2010

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR)&Valegro - Bates Saddles Intermediate I Championship - Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships 2010, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, United Kingdom - 10 September 2010 (Image credit: Jon Stroud)

5. Delighting the Olympia crowd in 2011

Olympia Wednesday 14 12 2011 charlotte dujardin valegro (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

6. Gold medal moments: taking centre stage at London 2012

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

7. The home crowd give the pair a warm welcome in Greenwich Park at the London Olympics

Charlotte Dujardin, Valegro (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

8. Wowing the Olympia spectators with their freestyle in 2012

ValegroDujardin,Charlotte (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

9. The medals keep coming: the pair take home individual gold at the Europeans in Denmark in 2013

Charlotte DUJARDIN riding Valegro GBR in the Individual Grand Prix Special in the FEI European Dressage Championship in Herning, Denmark in August 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

10. “I had the ride of my life”: Charlotte and Valegro score 93.975% in an outstanding freestyle performance that sees them set a new world record at Olympia in 2013

Charlotte DUJARDIN (GBR) riding Valegro during the Grand Prix Freestyle at Olympia on 17th December 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

11. Record breakers: the golden duo beat their own world record for the grand prix freestyle, with a score of 94.3% at Olympia in 2014

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) riding Valegro during Dressage Grand Prix at The London International Horse Show at Olympia in London, UK on 16 December 2014 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

12. The pair bring home the individual gold medal from Rio in 2016

Charlotte Dujardin GBR riding Valegro, during the Grand Prix Freestyle for the individual Dressage competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 15th August 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

13. Valegro retires from competition at Olympia in 2016

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro during Valegro retirement ceremony during the Olympia International Horse Show at Olympia, London, UK; on 14 December 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

14. Valegro meeting The late Queen with Carl Hester at Royal Windsor in 2019

Her Majesty The Queen meeting Valegro, Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin during the Royal Windsor Horse Show held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire in the UK between on 8th-12th May 2019 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

15. Valegro with Charlotte, her fiancé Dean and baby daughter Isabella in 2023

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

Polly Bryan — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 07:02:03 +0000

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.

Posted by on

“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.”

You may also be interested in…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Alan Davies on hacking Valegro and Uthopia – and why he doesn’t like Carl and Charlotte riding them

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl Hester on his plans for En Vogue and the upcoming grand prix mare who is ‘like riding the most wonderful sofa in the world’

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘Of course I said yes!’: Charlotte Dujardin surprised by proposal during her baby shower

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Alan Davies on top horses’ personalities and why it’s so important to know their quirks

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.

Alan Davies on top horses’ personalities and why it’s so important to know their quirks

Polly Bryan — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 16:32:37 +0000

How well do you know your horses’ personalities? When it comes to horse management advice, there’s few people more knowledgeable than Alan Davies, long-time groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, and he puts a lot of emphasis on learning about horses’ personalities, and getting to know their individual character traits.

“It’s been a really important part of my job, to get to know every individual horse inside out and learn their characteristics,” explains Alan, who recently announced his plans to step back from his full-time role.

“It is a huge part of horse management and it means you can tell if they’re on form, or not quite themselves, or if something is wrong.

“I have always made sure I am the one who mucks out the competition horses who I take away to shows, as I think it’s a really good opportunity to spend time with them. You can really watch them, and get to know their quirks and facial expressions,” adds Alan, on episode 41 of The Horse & Hound Podcast.

“I like to watch them in the field too, from a distance. It is fascinating, and endlessly entertaining too.”

So what are some of the individual characteristics of the top dressage horses Alan has cared for over the years working with Carl and Charlotte?

“Valegro, aka Blueberry, is a huge character but he always liked his own space. Every now and again he just wanted to go to his stable, dunk his hay in his water, make a mess and be a horse,” says Alan. “I used to have to make sure that he got that time on his own when we went away. He loved the crowds, the performing, the attention, but I had to let him have space to muck about in his stable and just do his own thing.”

Mount St John Freestyle, the mare who followed Valegro as Charlotte Dujardin’s next top grand prix horse, was very different, according to Alan.

“Freestyle is this feisty lady who is always busy and nosy and into everyone else’s business,” he laughs. “She loved attention and she’d put her own headcollar and tack on if she could.”

On his many years travelling with top horses around the world, Alan has had the chance to see how certain horses’ personalities and character traits are passed down through lines. He explained that Charlotte’s Tokyo Olympics double medallist Gio (Pumpkin), who was sold to the Pidgley family in 2021, shared a certain habit with his sire, the late stallion Apache.

“Pumpkin was always quiet in his stable, but in the cross ties he would paw at the ground and stamp his feet if he thought he wasn’t getting enough attention, and could be a bit bratty,” recalls Alan. “His dad Apache was on the plane with us to the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018, and I noticed that he pawed and banged his feet in exactly the same way his son does.”

Carl Hester’s top horse, his Olympic and European medallist En Vogue, has a very different personality again.

“Vogue is quite shy, and when he comes in from the field in the morning, he likes to go straight into his stable without any fuss or bother,” reveals Alan. “His stable is in the courtyard without a huge amount of traffic going past, which suits him. He likes to have his breakfast, then have some peace and quiet and a snooze. When you go in to get him ready to ride, you’ll always find him at the back of the stable, or at the side, not at the door,”

What are your horse’s unique characteristics and personality traits, and how do you recognise them? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com

‘Valegro used to love it’: Alan Davies on flying horses around the world – and exactly what happens

Polly Bryan — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 13:02:37 +0000

Among the many responsibilities Alan Davies has had as a groom, flying horses around the world has become one of his specialist areas of expertise. In fact Alan, who will this year step back from his role as full-time groom to Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, estimates that he has been flying horses for about 30 years.

Things have changed somewhat in that time.

“My first flight was out to New York with some showjumpers and in those times we used to load them into the plane and build crates around them,” revealed Alan, on episode 18 of The Horse & Hound Podcast. “We could also have any number of people on the plane, sitting anywhere. I remember sleeping with the horses under a Witney blanket going to and from America.”

Now though, horse flights take a limited number of people, usually nine, with everyone being required to stay seated with a seatbelt on during takeoff and landing, and to carry oxygen masks in case of an emergency.

The restrictions on numbers mean that grooms often take responsibility for several horses on a flight, with Alan taking charge of all the British team horses when flying out to Tokyo for the Olympics in 2021, and before that the USA for the World Equestrian Games in 2018.

What does flying horses on planes involve?

So what does flying horses actually involve?

“The whole procedure starts from home, and I usually leave the day before to drive the horses to Liege in Belgium, where the flights leave from,” explains Alan. “They have really nice stabling there so we arrive the night before and I give the horses a walk when we get there.

“They bring the crates – which basically look like two-horse trailers – to the loading bay, which is a massive room that is padded and matted to make it safe for the horses. There’s a complex schedule for which horses go with which others in the crates, and the guys from the shipping agency go round talking to the grooms about it.

“The horses get loaded into the crates from the loading bay, then the ramps get put up, three crates are linked together and they get towed by a tractor out onto the tarmac,” continues Alan. “It can be quite noisy, with rattling crates and other planes coming in, so sometimes I plug their ears, or put ear covers on.

“Then they are pushed onto a hydraulic lift, which lifts them up the side of the plane, and pushed along some runners into the plane. The whole thing is quite a feat really, and can take four to five hours.”

Alan Davies: ‘Flying horses involves a lot of camaraderie’

Once on board the plane, Alan says that flying is actually quite a peaceful experience, explaining that all the grooms, vets and riders travelling work together to help keep all the horses on board happy and safe.

“There’s real camaraderie on flights,” he says.

“Up in the air, it’s quite peaceful, and usually there’s air con. There’s not much space in the crates, so I usually take a spare headcollar and rope, a bit of feed, a canister of water and lots of carrots and apples. The other equipment goes in trunks below.”

L-R: Valegro settling into a flight, Alan with Mount St John Freestyle en route to the 2018 World Equestrian Games, Valegro leaving for the World Cup Final in Las Vegas 2015 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Alan has flown with many horses over his long career, and explains that they all react quite differently to the experience, while generally coping very well.

“It’s amazing how well horses cope with it all – they’re such amazing creatures, with the things we ask them to do.

“When we flew to Tryon in 2018, I was worried about Hawtins Delicato, but he put himself in the crate with his head in the corner and once I hung up a haynet he was fine. But Mount St John Freestyle was a nosy madam, a right curtain switcher and she was always trying to look out. She got a right shock when she saw the planes on the tarmac – her eyes were out on stalks.

“It was always something I loved about Valegro – he trusted me implicitly to take him around the world,” adds Alan. “We travelled around 75,000km together. I had to take him on different trucks and boats and trains and planes, and he just trusted me every time, following me into the crates at the airport and never questioning that he was going to be fine.

“Valegro actually used to love flying. It was just me and him and we’d be off on an adventure and he got to eat lots. Especially on the long flight to Rio for the Olympics in 2016, I’m sure he was thinking, ‘Daddy’s here, with a bag of carrots – this is the life’.”

‘I sobbed all the way up the centre line’: Alan Davies’ highlights from his time as Valegro’s super-groom

Polly Bryan — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 16:32:50 +0000

Alan Davies is one of the most well-known and widely recognised grooms in the world, thanks in part to his years spent looking after the legendary Valegro. Under Charlotte Dujardin, Valegro became the most successful dressage horse of all time, and Alan Davies was by his side throughout his meteoric rise.

With the news that Alan will be stepping back from his full-time role caring for Carl Hester and Charlotte’s top horses in 2023, we share some of his favourite highlights from his career and time spent as super-groom to Valegro, known at home as Blueberry.

Hagen CDI4* 2012

Just one year in to their international career, Charlotte and Valegro set a new world record of 88.02% for the grand prix special.

“We took Blueberry to Hagen mostly just for extra experience in the run-up to the Olympics – breaking the record that had been set by Totilas was totally unexpected,” reveals Alan. “He and Charlotte did the most incredible test, and Carl and I held our breath throughout. I can picture Blueberry’s one-time changes even now – they were huge, so forward, so beautiful, and he just had the biggest smile on face.”

London Olympics 2012

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Just a year after Alan first landed the job, he found himself the groom to the Olympic champions. Charlotte and Valegro led Britain to gold in London, as well as winning the individual gold medal.

“The medal ceremony was a bit of a blur really,” admits Alan. “Out in the collecting ring it was mayhem – we knew it was gold, but we weren’t really sure how the prize-giving was going to work. I remember Charlotte saying to me, ‘Please come in with me, I want you in there with me’. It wasn’t until we got Blueberry back to the stables afterwards that we properly realised what had just happened.”

World Equestrian Games (WEG) 2014

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Charlotte and Valegro became world champions, but this time the prize-giving it etched in detail on Alan’s mind – for reasons he never expected.

“I’ll never forget a moment during the individual prize-giving at WEG,” he says. “The podium faced the press down one long side, but as the girls were getting their medals on the podium, and we grooms were standing behind with the horses, I heard someone call my name from the other side of the stadium. I turned, and walked with Blueberry over to the stands on that side and the crowd went crazy: waving flags, clapping, cheering, shouting his name, shouting my name. It was amazing to see how many people really appreciated grooms and the importance of our role behind the scenes.”

Las Vegas World Cup Final 2015

Charlotte and Valegro claimed their second consecutive World Cup title with 94.19%, and Alan describes the experience of competing in Vegas as “completely surreal”.

“You could hear a pin drop at the start of their test, but as it went on you could hear the crowd start to buzz, then they were all clapping along at the end,” he recalls. “It was amazing to see how much they got behind Charlotte and of course Blueberry loved it – the bigger the crowd the better for him.”

Rio Olympics 2016

As well as securing team silver for Britain, Charlotte and Valegro retained their Olympic title on what was their final competitive outing, and it was an especially emotional occasion for Alan Davies.

“There was a lot of pressure on the pair of them in Rio. Just before she went into the arena for the freestyle was the first time I ever saw Charlotte slightly nervous,” he says. “I told her to take a deep breath, that she’d be fine.

Charlotte Dujardin GBR winner of the gold medal during the Grand Prix Freestyle for the individual Dressage competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 15th August 2016 kisses kiss valegro (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“We had to walk down a ramp to get into the arena and as we did Blueberry heard the crowd clapping and I just saw him lift as he completely went into performance mode, as if to say ‘Come on Charlotte’. And they were foot perfect. He tried so hard, put his heart and soul into it, listened to her on every step, and was perfectly on the beat of the music – it was just a joy to watch. That horse has the biggest heart, and he really showed it that day.”

Valegro’s retirement ceremony at Olympia 2016

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro during Valegro carl hester and alan davies being interviewed retirement ceremony during the Olympia International Horse Show at Olympia, London, UK; on 14 December 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“It was Simon Brooks-Ward’s idea that I should lead Valegro into the last part of the retirement ceremony,” says Alan. “I had stay in the collecting ring on my own with him while they were doing interviews in the ring, and I was in pieces. I felt the tears coming and tried to pull myself together.

“But as the curtains opened, the noise from the crowd, the absolute love I felt from them for this horse, meant that I sobbed all the way up the centre line. It was tears of joy that he was going out at the top, that he was just the most phenomenal horse and everyone loved him – walking in there together, him and me, was the most incredible moment of my life.

“He and I had been all around the world together; he’s trusted me to take him to all these places, and I felt so honoured that he loved and trusted me enough to walk with me up the centre line at Olympia.”

You may also enjoy…

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro with Carl Hester and Alan Davies during Valegro retirement ceremony during the Olympia International Horse Show at Olympia, London, UK; on 14 December 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘Carl said we might be going to the Olympics – I thought that sounded fun!’ How Alan Davies landed the world’s best grooming gig

Team Hester’s blog: Shedding tears while in the main arena at Olympia with Valegro

Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin's travelling groom, Alan Davies, recalls the emotional moment Valegro retired from competition at Olympia

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Carl Hester: ‘Our legendary groom Alan Davies may be stepping back, but I’m not…’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘One of the greatest creatures God ever created’: Watch Olympia’s emotional Valegro retirement video

Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Alan Davies, Natasha Baker and Claire Balding are among those to pay tribute to the dressage

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Killer instinct, Valegro’s nephew and riding all night – Lottie Fry and Anne van Olst’s demo at London

Pippa Roome — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:06:49 +0000

The crowd at London Horse Show on Thursday (15 December) were treated to a demonstration by Lottie Fry and her trainer, Anne van Olst, before watching Lottie win the World Cup grand prix. Carl Hester also joined Anne and Lottie for part of the talk.

Lottie rode the four-year-old approved stallion Nalegro, who is by Painted Black and out of Jalegrofleur, a full-sister to double Olympic champion Valegro, who was bred by the van Olsts.

“Valegro was called Blueberry, so we call him Blackberry,” said Anne.

Lottie commented: “This is a big atmosphere for him but he feels like he’s coping well and he’ll be another year older after this day. He gives me the feeling of a future grand prix horse, that’s for sure.

“Character is very important and he’s showing me today he has a really top character. I think he’s enjoying himself in here. He loves to work, loves to learn new things and finds everything so easy. He has so much power in his little body and manages to control it in an amazing way for a four-year-old. Whatever I ask, he tries to do it.”

Carl joked about the fact that the van Olsts sold him Valegro and he made the contact that resulted in Lottie going to ride for them – “hopefully I paid them back by selling them Lottie!”

On Nalegro, he added: “Valegro was well known in his day for his canter. His canter always scored 10s when he was doing young horse classes. With Nalegro, you get the same feeling that this horse is capable of 10s because of the incredible power in his hindleg and suspension. Looking at a four-year-old, you’re seeing a beautiful natural canter. Imagine what the canter is going to look like when he’s learnt to do flying changes or pirouettes. You can teach most horses that, but if you have a canter like that and they learn, you have the possibility of 10s.”

Lottie’s daily routine

During their demo at the London Horse Show, Lottie Fry and Anne van Olst also gave some insight into their lives at home. The van Olsts have about 75 horses under saddle and Lottie, who has been there eight and a half years, rides 14 horses most days.

Anne explained: “Lottie has 18 on her list and she has a very good team around to help her, so one day they are hacking, another day being lunged, but mostly she is training 14 horses a day. I ride in the morning and Lottie and I train for five hours together every afternoon.”

The Danish Olympian paid tribute to Lottie’s work ethic and passion for the sport, as well as her desire to keep learning.

“She rides all these grand prix horses – she has eight at the moment – but also three- and four-year-olds and she does the first horse in the morning with the same passion as number 14 at the end. That’s why she’s world champion. And sometimes I say, I know you’re world champion, but you have to do this or that differently!”

Lottie added: “When you love it and you love the horses and the training, every horse motivates you and you learn something from every horse every day. You never stop learning and it’s inspiring to ride all day every day. If I could have my way, I wouldn’t sleep, I’d just keep going all night as well!”

Carl drew parallels between Lottie and double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, saying: “Both have the killer instinct for competing. Most riders, if you said you’ve got to go down the tunnel into the arena and get 85%, it would tip them over the edge. But with Lottie and Charlotte, when they go down, they go for it.

“Dressage has to look harmonious and light, but it also involves taking risks if you want eights, nines, 10s. Lottie is one of those riders who can take risks, hence why she’s the current world champion.”

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

What time will Lottie Fry and Glamourdale perform their epic freestyle at London International Horse Show?

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The perfect (human) body for dressage, camels and more: eight insights from Carl Hester

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Two jumping exercises to help dressage horses with the winter blues: Dickie Waygood and Laura Collett demo at London

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘He gives me an incredible feeling’: Lottie Fry and Glamourdale punch in big score to win London grand prix

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Keep up to date with all of the action from London International, including breaking news and behind the scenes insight from each day of the show, with no limit on how much you can read, from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited website subscription. Join now

‘He led Valegro and rode Uthopia’: young rider meets equestrian legends

Alex Robinson — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 20:51:37 +0000

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:

Harry and 2022 HOYS winner Shanbally Legacy (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“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.”

‘Always my one in a million’: Charlotte Dujardin’s tribute to Valegro on his 20th birthday

Polly Bryan — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:37:32 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin has honoured Valegro on his 20th birthday with a video of her and the double Olympic champion in action together at home in Gloucestershire.

Charlotte shared the video of Valegro, who turned 20 years old on 5 July, performing a relaxed piaffe from earlier this year, and saying, “20 years old and always my one in a million.”

A photo posted by on

Together, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who was bred in the Netherlands by Joop and Maartje Hanse, and bought from Gertjan Van Olst by Carl Hester in 2005, rewrote dressage history. They led Britain to the nation’s first dressage team gold medal at London 2012, also winning individual gold, before becoming European and world champions in the years following, setting several world records – that still stand – along the way. Their final competition together was the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they retained their Olympic title, winning gold once again.

The great horse was retired in December 2016 in an emotional ceremony at Olympia, but he has remained very much in the public eye, attending demonstrations and enjoying meeting fans at home.

Valegro – who is known as Blueberry at home – is still ridden regularly, mostly by Alan Davies who, as Carl and Charlotte’s groom, accompanied them around the world throughout the height of Valegro’s career.

“I try to keep them both fit and well and happy, and ticking over,” said Alan, referring to Valegro and Carl’s London 2012 gold medallist Uthopia, now 21. “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’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.

Alan Davies on hacking Valegro and Uthopia – and why he doesn’t like Carl and Charlotte riding them

Polly Bryan — Sun, 29 May 2022 12:02:40 +0000

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!”

15 famous horses’ incredible stories you need to know

Sarah Jenkins — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 16:32:20 +0000

From Olympic gold medallists to works of art, famous horses take many shapes and guises. Here Horse & Hound selects the most famous horses of all, and explains what brought them such fame. We begin with famous racehorses, racing being the horse sport most widely followed. A few brave thoroughbreds have really caught the public’s imagination, even helping to raise spirits in challenging times. One of those was Red Rum…

Famous horses in racing

Red Rum

Red Rum remains in the hearts of every racing fan who witnessed him winning the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The horse came second in 1975 and 1976, too. His third win is considered one of the greatest moments in racing history. That 25-length victory was greeted by tumultuous applause and BBC commentator Peter O’Sullevan stating: “It’s hats off and a tremendous reception; you’ve never heard one like it at Liverpool. Red Rum wins the National.”

Red Rum was bred to win sprint races on the Flat and was an anonymous seven-year-old when a small-time trainer from Lancashire bought him in 1972. That trainer, Ginger McCain, a former second-hand car dealer, gave 6,000gns for the fifth-hand horse. He housed him in run-down stables behind his used-car showroom in a suburb outside Liverpool.

The gelding was lame on arrival and suffered from pedalostitis – an incurable inflammation of the bone inside the hoof. His condition was managed with therapeutic visits to nearby Southport beach, where he would gallop on the sand before cooling down in the sea.

In his previous role as a taxi driver, Ginger befriended regular customer Noel le Mare, then 84, who wanted a Grand National winner. Noel gave Ginger the money to buy Red Rum.

In a nationwide poll in 2006, 45% of the public asked to name a horse picked Red Rum. He retired a celebrity on the eve of the 1978 Grand National, when he pulled up lame after a gallop. Then 13, he was still one of the favourites.

Aldaniti

Aldaniti with Bob Champion wins the 1981 Grand National at Aintree (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The Josh Gifford-trained racehorse Aldaniti was part of one of the most tear-jerking racing stories in history. He won the 1981 Grand National under Bob Champion. The jockey and horse were a perfect pair. Having both been written off with serious health problems, they made remarkable comebacks. By winning the big race at Aintree, they captured the heart of a nation.

Bob had been diagnosed with cancer in 1979 and given a small chance of survival. He underwent a gruelling programme of chemotherapy, which gave him some hope. Aldaniti, who belonged to Nick Embiricos, made a spectacular return to the racecourse following a bad leg injury. He picked up the problem at Sandown in November 1979, and it put him on the sidelines for a year. When the duo lined up for the Grand National in 1981, no one expected them to win. But their story saw the public back them into 10/1 second-favourites behind Spartan Missile.

Aldaniti very nearly didn’t make it past the first fence, having landed too steeply and gone down onto his knees. However, Bob held on and the pair finished 41⁄2 lengths in front of Spartan Missile – literally beating the odds. It was one of the most popular successes in the history of the Grand National.

The chestnut gelding was bred in the UK by Harrowgate Stud and his name was derived from the names of breeder Tommy Barron’s four grandchildren; Alastair, David, Nicola and Timothy. In his retirement, the horse helped raise funds for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, set up by Bob in 1983.

Aldaniti played himself in a film made about the moving story in 1984 called Champions, in which actor John Hurt played Bob. The horse died at the home of his owner in Sussex in 1997, aged 27, having suffered a heart attack.

Whistlejacket

K7G7MP George Stubbs: Whistlejacket (1762) (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

A star of the racetrack in his lifetime, Whistlejacket achieved greater fame as the subject of George Stubbs’ renowned portrait. One of the world’s most famous horses, he hangs in the National Gallery, London. George Stubbs’ life-size portrait of the chestnut has a slightly wild look in his eye. The 1762 oil painting was last sold for £11m, and has been fêted as “a paradigm of the flawless beauty of an Arabian thoroughbred”.

Stories abound about how this masterpiece came to be. Some contemporaries suggested it was an unfinished portrait of King George III, being on a scale typically reserved for kings. When the real Whistlejacket saw his likeness on canvas, he is said to have reacted violently. Stubbs then considered his work complete and the king was never painted in. Others say funding simply ran out – although the 40 guineas commission looks a worthwhile investment today.

Whistlejacket belonged to the second Marquess of Rockingham. Born in 1749, he was by the Godolphin Arabian son Mogul out of a Bolton Sweepstakes mare. He was named after a cold remedy of the times, containing gin and treacle. He was a star of the track in his day, defeated only four times in a six-year career, and winning £2,000 in his final race. He retired to the Rockingham stud aged 10, where he was only moderately successful. He was known to have “a nearly ungovernable temper”.

Famous horses in service

Burmese

The Queen riding Burmese at the 1981 Trooping the Colour ceremony – the black mare carried her for 17 consecutive years on ceremonial parades (Image credit: Getty Images)

Burmese was the first of four horses given to The Queen by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The Queen took on the mare in 1969 when the RCMP visited Britain to ride in a display at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Burmese was trained by RCMP Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen.

Her Majesty rode the mare for 18 consecutive years in her birthday parade, Trooping the Colour. After 21 years’ service, Burmese was retired to Windsor in 1986. She died in 1990 and is buried at Windsor. While not serving as The Queen’s charger in Trooping the Colour, Burmese served her adoptive country in the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch.

The horse’s fame became more pronounced when in the 1981 Trooping the Colour a young man fired blanks at the pair. Burmese skittered briefly, and was instantly calmed by her rider.

Warrior

Warrior was born in 1908, a compact thoroughbred by Straybit out of Cinderella, and prophetically named. Of those famous horses who took part in battle, Warrior’s is perhaps the greatest story of all. Ridden for most of his 33 years by his breeder, General Jack Seely, Warrior survived four years of war. He spearheaded a crucial and gruesome cavalry charge to check the German offensive in Moreuil Wood in 1918. It is barely believable that Warrior survived all those blood-soaked battles in France. The Canadian cavalry, led by Seely, would say “the bullet hadn’t been made that could kill Warrior”.

On the very rare occasions he was lame and Seely had to ride another horse, his substitutes were killed. Once, while on watch, Warrior’s nose touching another horse, the other was shot. Twice, his stable was blown up moments after he was let out. Seely remembers during the Battle of Amiens, when Warrior was stabled in the drawing room of an abandoned French villa, it too was shelled.

“I said, ‘I’m afraid that is the end of Warrior,’” Seely writes in his 1934 book about his great charger. “But his head was poking out of the few bricks still standing, with the joist of the ceiling on his back.”

Seely’s grandson, racing broadcaster Brough Scott, says: “Warrior was the ultimate symbol of unquestioning, upstanding courage.”

Sefton

Sefton in 1984 with Shaun Measures (Image credit: Getty Images)

In 1982, the IRA detonated explosives that killed seven horses. Sefton, one who survived, became a symbol of hope. It was 20 July 1982. Eleven soldiers died in the two explosions on that day. Four were soldiers of the Blues and Royals. Seven bandsmen of the Royal Green Jackets died in another explosion in Regent’s Park. “The poor horses; my poor soldiers,” The Queen reportedly said on learning of it. The names of the soldiers and horses are commemorated on a plaque inside Knightsbridge Barracks.

Sefton recovered from terrible injuries. He retired to the Horse Trust, where he died at the grand age of 30. He was then returned to Melton Mowbray, where he was interred at the Defence Animal Centre, in the aptly named Remount Road. His grave has a marble headstone and overlooks the fields where his modern-day successors graze contentedly.

Famous horses in dressage

Valegro

Charlotte Dujardin riding Valegro, winner of the grand prix freestyle at The London International Horse Show at Olympia in 2014 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Born in 2002, Valegro is the world famous horse who brought dressage to a wider audience with his rider Charlotte Dujardin. The pair won team gold at the 2012 Olympics and individual gold at the 2016 Olympics. At Olympia in 2014, Valegro beat his own world record in the grand prix freestyle, scoring 93.4%. During his career he set new records in all three types of grand prix.

The horse’s part-owner, Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester, gave the ride to his protégée Charlotte. She was to produce him as a young horse for Carl to ride later. But their partnership proved too strong to dissolve.

Although Valegro retired from competition after retaining individual Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Games, he remains in work. The gelding continues to entertain his fans with special appearances. His official retirement ceremony took place at Olympia in 2016. There he produced an outstanding performance of his London 2012 freestyle to a packed house.

Totilas

DJMY6K Sept. 28, 2010 - Lexington, Ky, US - Edward Gal of the Netherlands on Moorlands Totilas performed during the dressage team grand prix event of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Tuesday,Sept. 28, 2010. Photo by Pablo Alcala | Staff (Credit Image: © Lexington Herald-Leader/ZUMApress.com) (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The black stallion Totilas broke records in all three grand prix tests ahead of Valegro’s time, ridden by Edward Gal. He was also the first horse to break the 90% barrier. British Olympic rider Richard Davison said of the horse: “You had to fight through people just to get a glimpse of him. He was incredible, the talk of the town.”

The horse’s conformation was harmonious from front to back. He was said to possess the ideal topline for collection and connection, with superb flexibility, too. He had an extraordinary ability to open his elbow, which created his expressive front leg action.

Totilas was sold to German owners in 2010 to be ridden by Matthias Rath. The new pairing were beset with problems. They missed out on the London Olympics when Matthias contracted glandular fever. Totilas then missed the 2014 World Equestrian Games due to injury. The pair did hit form for a time, beating Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro twice, but never reproduced top form on the world stage. After helping the German team to European Championship bronze in 2015, Totilas was retired from competition. He continued breeding duties until his death in 2021.

Blue Circle Boy

Blue Circle Boy and Lee Pearson (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Sir Lee Pearson says both he and four-year-old Blue Circle Boy “knew nothing about dressage” when they started. But the pair went on to win three gold medals at the Athens Paralympics – in the team, individual and freestyle events. They repeated the feat with triple gold at the 2002 European Championships in Portugal. At the 2005 European Championships, they won another team gold, plus individual and freestyle silver.

“My being disabled and having a horse of such beauty and power made people sit up and look,” says Lee. “We took on the world within para dressage. He carried me to become the first British dressage rider with a disability to become a national champion [elementary restricted in 2004]. He put para dressage on the map.”

The first time Lee saw Blue Circle Boy, he’d gone to buy a horse from a local lady in Staffordshire who had a yearling colt she kept in her garden. “He was bright dun, his dam had died when he was a day old and he was bottle-fed,” Lee recalls. “Three-and-a-half years later the lady phoned and said she had this stallion in the field. I went to see him and he was a massive, shaggy thing with hair down to his knees. A couple of months later, after castration, we put him on the lunge and we were dragged round the field by this golden monster. I just planted myself with my crutches while he kept slipping around. He was a bugger, but a very talented horse.”

Famous horses in eventing

Charisma

Individual gold medallist Mark Todd of New Zealand riding his horse Charisma on 12th August 1984 during the XXIII Olympiic Summer Games at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California, United States. (Photo by Trevor Jones/Getty Images) (Image credit: Trevor Jones)

New Zealand event rider Mark Todd’s Olympic gold medal-winning ride Charisma achieved a great deal more than would be expected of any 15.3hh gelding. The horse became a national hero and one of the most famous horses in New Zealand after winning two consecutive gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.

Nicknamed “Podge” because of his love of food, Mark fondly described the horse as “a fat, hairy pony”. He had a prolific international record, winning the British open championships twice and enjoying several wins across Europe.

In 1987, Mark had his eye on a Badminton victory, which was not to be as the event was cancelled due to bad weather.

“1987 was the year the Whitbread Trophy had Podge’s name on it, or so I believed,” said Mark in his first autobiography, So Far, So Good. “I was devastated. If I kept him in training the following year as a 16-year-old, it would be to defend his Olympic crown in Seoul, which would definitely rule him out of Badminton, so he’d missed his last chance.”

So despite winning back-to-back individual Olympic gold medals, Charisma never won a British four-star (now five-star). He finished second at Badminton in 1984 and 1985 and at Burghley in 1987. Officially retired at the age of 16, Charisma was flown back to New Zealand, where he completed a gold medal tour of the country, and then spent his retirement on Mark’s Rivermonte Farm.

King William

Mary King (née Thomson) and King William win Badminton in 1992 (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Postmen in British event rider Mary King’s Devon village became accustomed to fielding letters addressed to: “King William, Devon” in the 1990s. “I suppose there weren’t any other King Williams,” laughs Mary.

The fan mail started after she and the 17hh gelding won Gatcombe in 1991 and by the following year, hundreds of letters were arriving. With his prominent blaze, alert demeanour and increasingly consistent one-day-event record, the famous horse was easy to recognise.

His celebrity status was cemented in the biblical rain and mud at Badminton in 1992. Arriving in the 10-minute box, 38th to go, Mark Phillips delivered Mary the news that no one had yet gone clear. As she set off, Mary found herself praying: “Please God, look after William.” They rode the first clear of the day, with Mark’s advice to kick on and ignore the mud ringing in Mary’s ears. Despite painstakingly rubbing nearly every showjump on the final day, King William knocked just one. Mary took the Badminton title for the first time; a childhood dream realised at the age of 30.

“Winning Badminton is in a league of its own; it’s like a jockey winning the Grand National – virtually everyone in the world has heard of this occasion, and it’s your big, famous moment,” she wrote in her 2009 autobiography.

Priceless

“His brilliance was his brain,” says Ginny Elliot of her Olympic medal-winning ride, Priceless (Image credit: Stewart Newsham)

Priceless was arguably the greatest of Ginny Elliot’s famous horses, taking her to her first Olympics and giving her the confidence to aim high with all the horses that followed. His purchase price of £900 turned out to be an incredible investment, although he was suffering from a curb when Ginny went to view him at Diana Scott’s Brendon Hill Farm in Devon. Diana had bred him, by Ben Faerie and out of an Irish hunter mare, Reckless, and had hunted him as a four-year-old.

“Priceless was plain and small — he stood at only 16hh — but in his favour he was a big mover,” recalls Ginny. “The decision on whether or not to buy him rested on how he jumped a ditch, and he flew it. He turned out to be an incredible eventer. He never deviated from a line and you could turn him on a sixpence. This gave him an advantage and he almost always made the optimum time despite this being the era of long-format three-day events.”

Priceless won Burghley, Badminton and world and European gold. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, he clinched team silver and individual bronze. Despite the cross-country being an imposing four-star, Priceless didn’t make a single mistake, and he also showjumped clear. The gelding was retired at 12 – having achieved so much, it was only right that he should bow out while still at the top of his game.

Famous horses in showjumping

Stroller

E0X8H2 Aug. 08, 1965 - Dublin horse show: Photo shows 18 year old Miss Marion Coakes, on her tiny horse ''Stroller'', clears a jump in (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Stroller was a showjumping sensation, a little bay pony who took on the world’s greatest and most famous horses – and beat them. At around 14.2hh, Stroller was among the smallest of stars but also among the greatest. He was a TV sensation whose fans wrote to ask for hairs from his tail. Bought as a junior showjumping pony for a Hampshire farmer’s daughter, Marion Coakes, Stroller and his rise to international fame summed up every young rider’s dream.

“When I came out of juniors at 16, Dad wanted to sell Stroller. It seemed the natural thing to graduate to horses,” Marion recalls. “I pleaded with Dad not to sell him, but to let me start open jumping with him.”

It became a showjumping sensation that a child’s pony was soaring over spreads, parallels, banks and ditches better than most of the world’s great horses. He won the formidable Hamburg Derby in 1970. Marion recalled: “When we sailed over the last fence, having completed the only clear round, the crowd of 25,000 went crazy. It was the most exciting moment. We had completed the 50th clear round ever on the course – and the first by a woman rider.”

Stroller’s greatest triumph was in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. He was suffering from a decayed and split upper tooth. It was decided to give him painkillers and steam inhalations rather than risk an extraction just before the contest. Marion won the silver medal and was fêted on her return to Britain and named Sportswoman of the Year. Retired in the 1970s, Stroller lived until the age of 36.

Hickstead

Eric Lamaze riding Hickstead at WEG 2010 (Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS)

One of showjumping’s most famous horses, the 2008 Olympic gold medallist’s life and career was cut short when he was 15. In 2008, Eric Lamaze became Canada’s first Olympic showjumping champion following a thrilling climax to the equestrian Olympics in Hong Kong riding Hickstead. All the medals were decided in a jump-off and the gold only at the very last fence.

Eric and Hickstead jumped off against Sweden’s Rolf Bengtsson on the compact Ninja for gold. Eric and Rolf had jumped the sole double clears of the competition. They both finished on the same time, 38.39sec, but Ninja crashed through the final fence, a multi-coloured wall.

Hickstead died in particularly tragic circumstances when competing in Verona, where he had been taking part in the fourth round of the World Cup. Hickstead and Eric had just completed their round when the 15-year-old stallion collapsed. The cause was later revealed to be a rupture of the main artery supplying his heart. Riders requested that the competition be cancelled and filed into the arena in tears to pay their respects with a minute’s silence. FEI president at the time Princess Haya described Hickstead as “a horse in a million”.

Foxhunter

Col. Harry Llewellyn riding Foxhunter at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Foxhunter is credited with bringing showjumping to the attention of the British public, making him one of Britain’s most famous horses. Sir Harry Llewellyn began his partnership with the horse after buying the six-year-old bay for £1,500 in 1947. The gelding won an incredible 78 international competitions, including the King George V Gold Cup three times. He won a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics, then most notably team gold, this being the only British gold medal at the 1952 Olympics. He retired in 1955.

Norman Holmes of Thrussington, Leicestershire, produced Foxhunter. He bought the horse as an unbroken four-year-old in 1944 for £60 from his breeder and hunted him with the Quorn only a fortnight later. He changed the horse’s name from Eelskin to Foxhunter, schooled him as a showjumper and went on to win top-level classes at county shows. “He was very easy to break in, had a kind eye and so much quality,” said Norman.

Watch Valegro smash the #canterchallenge at the age of 20

Polly Bryan — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 12:32:31 +0000

If you have been anywhere near Instagram or TikTok in the past few months, you will have probably come across the #canterchallenge trend that has become popular among riders. The #canterchallenge requires riders to ride their horses in canter to the beat of a piece of music, and the most recent incarnation has been to a piece created by Swedish grand prix rider, showjumper and influencer Carl Hedin.

Riders of all levels across the world have joined in with the challenge, including none other than the legendary Valegro, with the rider who piloted him to three Olympic gold medals, Charlotte Dujardin.

Charlotte shared a video of Valegro, now aged 20, performing a line of very impressive one-time changes in perfect time to the music, proving that “Blueberry” as he is known at home, still loves to dance.

A photo posted by on

The Negro son, whose long list of achievements include four individual European championship gold medals, two World Cup Final wins and a world championship title, in addition to his Olympic medals, is now in his sixth year of retirement at Carl Hester’s Gloucestershire yard. He was retired in an emotional ceremony at Olympia, London, in December 2016, shortly after defending his Olympic title with Charlotte in Rio.

Carl Hedin was quick to comment on Valegro’s #canterchallenge, saying, “The fact that the big Blueberry himself has rocked to a sound I have created is something that is gonna stick with me for a long time.”

Carl himself has also produced some rather impressive #canterchallenge attempts, including this one-handed line of tempi changes.

A photo posted by on

Other top riders to have taken on the challenge including British grand prix rider Lara Butler, riding her Olympic team reserve horse, the now-retired Rubin Al Asad.

A photo posted by on

Also jumping on the #canterchallenge train is none other than the reigning Olympic and European champion Jessica von Bredow Werndl, busting out some moves – and a spot of basketball – with another retired dressage legend, the Gribaldi stallion Unee BB, also aged 20.

A photo posted by on

Festive stars: ‘I’m aiming for the top – someone has to win Olympic gold after all’

Polly Bryan — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 08:32:52 +0000

Ruby Hughes’ parents may be the European dressage medallist and Olympic alternate Gareth, and grand prix rider Rebecca, but it’s Ruby’s own dedication and skill as a rider that has helped her become one of Britain’s most exciting upcoming talents.

This year, her first competing in international dressage, she was the highest placed British rider at the pony European Championships riding Hilkens Showgirl, and has already stepped up to juniors with the 12-year-old Goodtimes gelding Extra Time, the former ride of under-25 grand prix rider Lucy Amy. She rounded off 2021 by being named young rider of the year at the Horse & Hound Awards, a few days before turning 14.

But Ruby’s life hasn’t always been dominated by dressage – she has spent several years vaulting for Britain, and only took up dressage seriously during the past couple of years.

“I did a few dressage tests when I was about eight but only unaffiliated ones for a bit of fun,” explains Ruby, who still does vaulting three times a week. “It can be up to seven hours of training on a Saturday and then there are strength and conditioning sessions on top. But it has definitely helped my dressage – having a strong core helps, and of course standing on horses means you develop good balance.”

And what’s it like having two grand prix riders as parents?

“I don’t feel any pressure as they don’t mind what I want to do as long as I’m having fun, but I do get free lessons, which is a big bonus, and I have them to warm me up at shows,” enthuses Ruby.

It clearly worked at Ruby’s most recent show, the Keysoe High Profile Show, as she not only won the junior individual test riding Extra Time – known as Hughie – but also finished second with a 70% score at prix st georges (PSG).

“We went to Keysoe to do the PSG with no expectations and I was up against some pros so I didn’t know what would happen. I came out of the ring feeling like I had done the best test I could and to get 70% and come second was so unexpected and exciting,” says Ruby, who just one week earlier had been practising one-time changes on Hughie, out in the snow, bareback in a headcollar.

“He is a horse of a lifetime,” confirms Ruby, who also says that of all the grand prix horses in the world, she would most like to ride Mount St John Freestyle – “I love her trot” – and current Olympic champion TSF Dalera BB. That’s in addition to Valegro of course – but then again, she has already had the chance to ride him.

With so many accomplishments under her belt already, it can be easy to forget that Ruby still has years left in pony ranks, but she is aiming to compete at both levels again in 2022, as well as at advanced medium and small tour with Hughie and her other ride, Classic Bee Gee, on whom she won medium and elementary titles at the Winter Dressage Championships in 2021. She also has her eye on competing at some international shows in Europe – and that’s just the start.

“I’m aiming for the top – it has always been my dream to go to the Olympics. My biggest dream would be to get that gold medal one day – someone has to after all!”

‘Carl said we might be going to the Olympics – I thought that sounded fun!’ How Alan Davies landed the world’s best grooming gig

Polly Bryan — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 13:32:53 +0000

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…”

Valegro – ‘A name that will, quite simply, last for eternity,’ says Carl Hester

Polly Bryan — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:00:37 +0000

Despite an inauspicious start, Valegro became a household name thanks to his record-breaking performances with Charlotte Dujardin, earning himself a place in history. Polly Bryan charts the story behind the gold medals

There can be no other horse who has done more for his sport than Valegro. Ridden by Charlotte Dujardin, this remarkable gelding – known at home as Blueberry – made history time and time again. From Olympic gold medals to breaking world records for fun, he has done it all – and inspired an enormous, adoring fan base across the world.

Dressage enthusiasts in their thousands have followed the trio of Valegro, Charlotte and Carl Hester, and their glittering career trajectory. But far fewer will know how close the greatest team that British dressage has ever had came to ending, before it had even got off the ground.

Carl’s first glimpse of Valegro was as a rising three-year-old at the KWPN stallion show and grading in Ermelo in 2005.

“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,” remembers Carl.

“Gertjan had five or six young horses going through, one of which was Valegro, a son of Negro. The whole process seemed very fast, and all I can remember was this huge canter in a very small space – I just couldn’t take my eyes off Valegro and his canter. He was quite small and cobby; 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 went out the back with the other horses who were going to be sold. When it was over, Anne and I went out to see him and he had such a charming look about him – he was so grown up, even then.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Valegro wasn’t expensive, and after he had been gelded he arrived at Carl’s yard in Gloucestershire. But he didn’t prove a superstar right away – and certainly didn’t seem as though he’d grow big enough for Carl.

“He didn’t grow until he was nearly five, but he was hellishly strong for a little chap, and was also a mild headshaker,” explains Carl. “So I said to Anne, ‘I’m going to bring him back and we’ll find him another home.’”

Carl dropped Valegro back at the van Olsts’ yard en route to a five-day show in the Netherlands, but as he started the journey back to the UK, Anne advised him to reconsider keeping Valegro.

“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 laughs.

Reinstated in Gloucestershire once more, Valegro swiftly began to make his mark. Under Carl he was four-year-old national champion in 2006, and in the same year won the Badminton Young Dressage Horse of the Future ridden by Lucy Cartwright – with Carl and Uthopia second. And it was around the same time that Carl took on a new pupil he was quietly excited about, who appeared a good match for Valegro. That pupil was, of course, Charlotte Dujardin.

The partnership gelled immediately, clocking up copious national titles in their early years together – the novice title in 2007, elementary and medium the following year, and the coveted prix st georges title in 2010. Every new challenge thrown at Valegro, he took on with relish and talent to burn – earning himself the nickname of “The Professor”.

Lucy Cartwright riding a young Valegro (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The road to the London Olympics began in 2011, as Charlotte and Valegro exploded onto the international grand prix scene in Vidauban, France, winning two grands prix and two grand prix specials in quick succession.

“After Blueberry’s first win, Carl’s phone started buzzing constantly and suddenly people were asking, ‘Who is this rider? Who is this horse?’ It wasn’t the quiet trip we had expected!” recalls Alan Davies, super-groom to Carl and Charlotte.

Even more astonishing was their team debut at the Rotterdam European Championships later that same year, where they helped Britain clinch team gold, with Carl famously hiding behind a pillar with tears in his eyes as he watched his protégé perform a stunning grand prix.

London 2012 will likely never fall from its pedestal, the glorious culmination of a decades-long effort to raise the profile of British dressage, much of it spearheaded by Carl. And the final ingredient that helped work the magic: Valegro.

Carl Hester riding a young Valegro, showing off his enormous canter (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow - 00447197336694)

He had burst onto the international scene just the year before, and was now the subject of a strange mixture of mystery and expectation. Could this “wonder horse” really live up to the task on the biggest stage of them all, especially when the usually nerve-free Charlotte admitted her legs were like jelly as she began her grand prix? Of course he could.

“Boom! Her first extended trot banged in the nines. If Charlotte finally felt the magnitude of what she had to do, Valegro didn’t,” wrote H&H reporter Catherine Austen at the time.

Two plus-83% scores for Valegro in the grand prix and the special meant that Britain topped the podium, but it was his individual gold medal in the freestyle that completed the fairy tale.

As Valegro danced to the patriotic strains of Land of Hope and Glory, the picture of willingness and harmony, tears flowed in every corner of the Greenwich stadium. The now infamous hiccup in the piaffe-pirouette as Charlotte and Valegro began their final centre line was not enough to dampen the magic of their performance, and the moment their 90.089% score flashed up on the giant boards was one nobody lucky enough to be present is ever likely to forget.

Valegro at the British Young Horse and Breeding Championships in September 2008 (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

The two years following the London Olympics brought yet more gold medals for Valegro, and records too. He and Charlotte toppled the world record previously set by Edward Gal and Totilas for the grand prix freestyle, scoring 93.97% at Olympia 2013, and a year later breaking their own record with a still-standing 94.3%. But beneath the shining surface was the ongoing, very real possibility of Valegro being sold, and it was a period that Charlotte later revealed left her battling depression.

It was seeing Valegro secure yet another individual gold for Britain at the 2013 European Championships, followed by his record-breaking Olympia performance, that convinced Carl and co-owner Roly Luard that they had to do whatever it took to keep this incredible horse.

Charlotte and Valegro at Olympia in 2013 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

When the news broke in H&H that they were looking to form a syndicate to keep him, Anne Barrott contacted Carl, and in 2014 she became the third owner of Valegro. Her investment was duly rewarded, with Charlotte and Valegro becoming world champions later that same year at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

One last hurrah for Valegro

As the rest of the dressage world looked ahead to the Rio Olympics with bated breath, hoping Valegro could defend his title, Carl and Charlotte shared a secret. The 2016 Olympics was likely to be Valegro’s final competition.

“When we went out to Rio, Charlotte and I were the only two people who knew this was probably his last performance,” says Carl. “We were loath to say anything to anyone about his retirement; what if he didn’t then win?”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

If the London Olympics had demonstrated Valegro’s immense talent, it was the Rio Games that proved the embodiment of his character. Never before, and perhaps never again, will the dressage world see a horse whose physical ability is matched with such a desire to please his rider, to strive for her and with such pleasure in doing so.

The knowledge that her Rio freestyle was likely her last time in the ring with Valegro, plus the enormous pressure Charlotte found herself under to win yet another gold medal, was enough to produce nerves unlike anything the usually steely rider had felt before.

“Just before she went into the arena for the freestyle was the first time I ever saw Charlotte slightly nervous,” remembers Alan, who routinely accompanied Charlotte and Valegro during the final moments before their test.

“I told her to take a deep breath, that she’d be fine. We had to walk down a ramp to get into the arena and as we did, Blueberry heard the crowd clapping and I just saw him lift as he completely went into performance mode, as if to say: ‘Come on Charlotte.’”

And what a performance it was – you’d be forgiven for truly believing that Valegro genuinely knew this was the time to bust out the test of his life.

“Blueberry knew I was nervous,” said Charlotte at the time. “He looked after me and helped me out. Trotting round the edge, he picked up and I knew we were ready to go.

“Then on the last centre line, he felt truly magical. It was effortless and easy and nothing was going to break that bond we have. I can’t tell you what it’s like to ride him; he has a heart of gold.”

British rider Charlotte Dujardin on horse Valegro reacts during the dressage competition of the CHIO international horse show in Aachen, Germany, 20 July 2014. UWE ANSPACH | (Image credit: DPA/PA Images)

Their final score of 93.857% – which included 37 10s from the seven judges – was just shy of their own world record, but was nonetheless a new Olympic record.

“It was the most sublime test I have ever seen,” says Carl. “He truly showed his trust in Charlotte, and that his enthusiasm for the job had never changed. The rest of his career was hugely fun, but that moment was the most emotional, and most special of all.”

For a horse to bring so much joy and evoke so much emotion, not to just his own connections, but to swathes of people across the world – including many who had never even seen dressage prior to 2012 – is truly remarkable.

This was perfectly illustrated by his emotional retirement ceremony at Olympia in 2016 – from which very few emerged dry-faced. But one of the most special things about this horse is the way in which he has continued to make an impact even after his competition days came to an end. Now aged 19, he maintains his zest for life and lovable nature, enjoying days in the field, long hacks, the odd public appearance and, ever The Professor, teaching some of Carl’s lucky pupils the ropes.

Valegro is a horse whose achievements and influence will stretch far beyond his own career, which will forever remain a shining highlight in the history of dressage.

As Carl puts it, “Valegro is a name that will, quite simply, last for eternity.”

Roly Luard on co-owning Valegro with Carl Hester and Anne Barrott

Valegro’s joint owner Roly Luard (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I was thrilled when Carl asked me if I’d like to join in the ownership of Valegro with him. We’d shared a couple of horses before and so I knew how much fun it was to own a horse with him.

“I was overjoyed to be asked; by that point, Valegro was seven and Charlotte was well established as his rider. I remember watching them compete in the early days, and thinking ‘wow’, and of course they went from strength to strength.

“I’ve been lucky enough to go to three World Cup Finals, and I will never forget arriving in Las Vegas for the 2015 final, and seeing these massive billboards everywhere with pictures of Charlotte and Valegro. It was completely surreal, as was the return flight from Vegas when the pilot congratulated me – I had to pinch myself.

“The timing of Valegro’s career was unbelievable – we had never beaten the Germans or the Dutch before, and it’s been amazing to see how far the Brits have come.

“I owe the formidable combination of Carl, Charlotte and Valegro a massive amount, and thank them for all the sheer excitement, and the great feeling of patriotism and being loyal to Britain. And we have had such fun.

“Now I have shares in two more horses with Carl and it’s thanks to Valegro; my time in the sport isn’t just a memory now, but is something that I’ve been able to carry forward. Valegro is not just a household name, he really has changed so many people’s lives.”

Alan Davies on Valegro bowing out at the top

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“It was Simon Brooks-Ward’s idea that I should lead Valegro into the last part of the retirement ceremony at Olympia [pictured]. I had to stay in the collecting ring on my own with him while they were doing interviews in the ring, and I was in pieces.

“I felt the tears coming and tried to pull myself together. But as the curtains opened, the noise from the crowd, the absolute love I felt from them for this horse, meant that I sobbed all the way up the centre line. It was tears of joy that he was going out at the top, that he was just the most phenomenal horse and everyone loved him – walking in there together, him and me, was the most incredible moment of my life.

“He and I have been all around the world together. Valegro’s trusted me to take him to all these places, to go off on the lorry together on all these adventures, and I felt so honoured that he loved and trusted me enough to walk with me up the centre line at Olympia.”

Valegro fact file

Born: 5 July 2002

Breeding: Negro x Gershwin

Studbook: KWPN

Height: 16.2hh

Breeders: Joop and Maartje Hanse

Owners: Carl Hester, Roly Luard and Anne Barrott

Rider: Charlotte Dujardin

The bloodlines behind Valegro

Negro and Valegro (Image credit: Robert Lickley - FREE TO USE)

Valegro’s illustrious sire, Negro (above, left, meeting Valegro), competed successfully to big tour himself, and now boasts more than 1,650 offspring, among them 38 licensed sons and more than 20 grand prix horses. He himself is a son of the great Olympic dressage horse Ferro, sire of more than 50 international grand prix horses.

Maifleur, Valegro’s dam, was by the Voltaire stallion Gershwin, out of the Heidelberg mare Weidyfleur. Credited with “keur” status by the KWPN in 1997, Maifleur was herself a prolific winner in breed classes, just as her own mother had been – both Weidyfleur and Maifleur were crowned champion of the Zeeland breed show.

Valegro’s breeders, Joop and Maartje Hanse, based at Burgh Hamstede in the Netherlands, selected the then-upcoming Negro to complement Maifleur’s jumping bloodlines. Her sire, Gershwin, jumped to 1.50m and was a successful sire of eventers, and his Furioso line is known for producing top jumpers.

Maifleur produced six foals, including three others by Negro, making them full siblings to Valegro. These are Weidyfleur II, now 18; Jalegrofleur, seven; and her final offspring, Lelegro, five – sold to Britain as a foal for €50,000 (£45,000).

– This feature was first published in H&H magazine, 15 April, 2021 –

Valegro Avenue opened in tribute to dressage legend

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:17:53 +0000

A housing developer has paid tribute to the achievements of dressage legend Valegro, by naming a new street in his honour.

Weeks after a bronze of the multiple medal-winning superstar was unveiled in his home town Newent, developer Bellway welcomed Carl Hester to Valegro Avenue. The street is part of Picklenash Grove, an 80-house development off Ross Road in the Gloucestershire town.

Bellway sales manager Carly Maidment said: “Valegro delighted audiences with his performances at both the London and Rio games, gaining worldwide attention for his elegance and beauty.

“The people of Newent are extremely proud of their Olympic hero, who enjoys celebrity status in this part of Gloucestershire, and as a developer building in his home town, we just had to recognise his achievements.

“It’s not every day you get to welcome an Olympic gold medallist to one of your developments, so we were delighted that Carl was able to come down to the site and see the street named in Valegro’s honour.”

Carl said Valegro’s many achievements speak for themselves.

“His performances helped bring dressage into the hearts of the nation,” he said.

“He is a very special horse and I’m incredibly proud to see a street named after him at Picklenash Grove.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Newent Initiative Trust)

Valegro statue takes centre stage in his home town

“He changed so many of our lives and elevated our sport so this is a really proud moment for myself,

(Image credit: Newent Initiative Trust)

9 of the most memorable grand prix dressage freestyles of all time

(Image credit: Newent Initiative Trust)

“I’m extremely grateful to Bellway for making this happen and ensuring that this wonderful horse’s fantastic legacy lives on in his home town.”

There are four and five-bedroom houses still available in Picklenash Grove, with prices starting at £384,995.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Valegro statue takes centre stage in his home town

Becky Murray — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 13:03:11 +0000

Valegro has taken centre stage in his home town Newent, as his bronze statue is placed in its permanent home.

The statue, sculpted by Georgie Welch, was erected in the Gloucestershire town’s Market Square in a low-key ceremony, owing to Covid restrictions.

A spokesman for the Newent Initiative Trust, which was behind the project with involvement from Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin and groom Alan Davies, said lockdown meant the unveiling plans were not as the not-for-profit organisation had hoped.

“Originally, we had planned a very special and public unveiling of the bronze statue of Valegro, the dancing horse, but unfortunately it all happened very differently,” he said.

“The statue was finished in September last year, and found itself being placed in the International Centre for Birds of Prey just outside Newent for safekeeping until it could be installed.”

A private unveiling of the statue took place in October 2020 attended by special guest Valegro, alongside Carl, Charlotte and Alan.

“Due to the restrictions prevailing we were forced to limit the number of attendees but at the same time wanted to let people know the statue was finished,” said the spokesman, who added that the plan to put the statue in place in the Market Square had taken longer due to council paperwork.

The statue was put in its “rightful place” on Thursday (18 February).

“We purposefully did not advertise that the statue was being erected due to the ongoing Covid restrictions,” said the spokesman.

“The bronze statue, after nearly three years of work, now stands proudly next to the old market house in Newent, where he can be safely viewed and admired by all for his amazing successes. We hope that when the pandemic is over, we can bring Valegro and his team down to see his statue.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: Newent Initiative Trust)

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

(Image credit: Newent Initiative Trust)

Valegro to be immortalised in life-size bronze statue

A fund-raising campaign has been launched to create a life-size statue of Valegro

(Image credit: Newent Initiative Trust)

Carl Hester said he and Charlotte are “delighted”.

“He changed so many of our lives and elevated our sport so this is a really proud moment for myself, Charlotte and everyone who has been involved with this very special horse,” he said.

“Thank you to the sculptor Georgie Welch and all involved who made this happen.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘I hate it! Until it’s over’: real life for grooms of superstar horses

Kate Johnson — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 09:00:39 +0000

It’s a privilege with huge responsibility to be in charge of a top-class horse. Kate Johnson finds out what it’s like tending to a superstar

Bob Grace, groom to champion sprinter Battaash, for Charlie Hills

“I hate it! Until it’s over, I really hate it!” says Bob Grace, when asked if he enjoys watching Battaash race. At least it’s quick; Battaash has been rated as the fastest horse in the world (he’s clocked 48.63mph).

The pressure is intense. So Bob is happy(ish) when he’s “reached the end of the walkway and the jockey’s gone to the start” and he’s much happier when Battaash is safely back and has hopefully won. But he’s happiest of all returning home and having a beer in the bath.

Bob doesn’t ride and has worked for Charlie Hills, and his father before that, for more than 30 years, and has looked after Battaash since he arrived as a headstrong two-year-old.

He says: “Before he was gelded, he wasn’t the nicest thing on God’s earth sadly. He’d literally climb the walls to try to get into the next-door box. When he ran at Royal Ascot, he nearly went through the stalls and that was the final straw.

He was channelling his energies in the wrong direction.

“Now he’s a lovely horse, he’s like the stable pet, bless him.”

Battaash likes carrots, he courteously matches Bob’s slower pace in the parade ring, and Charlie’s kids bring school friends who pamper him.

“He thinks it’s great, he loves attention,” says Bob, who is planning to get a tattoo of his charge. “When I took him off the box at Newmarket where he goes for the winter – he has his own paddock of course – there was a sign saying, ‘Welcome home champ!’ They love him more than I do.”

The horse has a small team and his own routine.

“Whether he’s made us do it or we’ve made the routine for him is a matter of debate,” smiles Bob.

At the races he’s saddled at the stables, at home he’s out first lot and ridden by people who know him. Even his jockey, Jim Crowley, is allowed on him rarely – three races and once at home throughout 2020.

Alan Davies, head groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“She’s quite a princess!” says Alan Davies of Charlotte’s current top horse, Mount St John Freestyle. “She’s nosey, keen to work and please – and loves parties.”

Alan keeps her calm and interested at shows with “lots of one-on-one attention, hand walking and seeing the sights”.

Freestyle had never flown before Alan took her to the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and was understandably fractious when she noticed that she was somehow becoming airborne. But Alan recalls: “Bringing her home after she’d won two medals, she coped so well, trusting me implicitly to put her on different trucks and crates, and following me on to planes.”

It’s an intimate relationship.

“Getting to know the horses’ characters when you go to big shows, you build such a rapport,” Alan says. “We worked out I’d travelled 75,000 miles with Blueberry [Valegro]; that’s three times around the world.

“The joy of seeing these horses try their heart out on the world stage is so emotional. That’s why I wear sunglasses at big championships, I’ve usually got tears rolling down my cheeks!”

Shades were definitely needed for the World Cup qualifiers in Amsterdam last January, where Freestyle “grew in stature and confidence”, he says.

“This horse, whom I’d seen do medium and advanced medium at the national championships, was out there holding her own against other superstars – I was so proud of her, she blossomed,” he says.

And she bloomed, too, with a 90.2% score with Charlotte at the LeMieux National Grand Prix Championships in December, becoming national champions of 2020.

Alan handles the pressure because, “it’s my job, it’s what I’ve done all my life, it’s the name of the game – it’s why you do it”.

“People often ask about the highlights with Blueberry,” he says. “I don’t really remember London 2012 – there was so much pressure – but the biggest thing was a feeling of relief leaving Greenwich Park. We’d done what everyone wanted us to do, and the horses were coming home happy, safe and sound.”

Talking of which, how is Valegro?

“Fabulous. I went for a hack today and showed him his recent Horse & Hound cover. He’s still got it and I still love him to bits.”

Amy Phillips, Piggy March’s travelling groom

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I’m OK with the pressure most of the time,” says Amy Phillips. “At Pig’s level, everyone expects you to do well and she bears the brunt of that. I try not to overthink expectations and responsibilities; if you wrap horses in cotton wool, that’s when things go wrong.”

Amy’s career began with riding schools, summer camps in America, a racing stable, then Oliver Townend – “I was chucked in at the deep end; my first event was Burnham Market where we had 14 horses running over the weekend” – and now Piggy.

Amy “sort of” controls her competition nerves, which peak at the showjumping phase of a three-day event, by being organised.

“I love writing lists,” she says. “You know what your riders like and you try to keep the routine the same. I take a backpack and try to be one step ahead. For cross-country, I take spare reins, stirrup leathers and always black tape.”

She’s superstitious, too. At home she turns new saddle pads inside out and stamps on them – in common with many riders who don’t like wearing new kit at competition. And she forces herself to watch the horses live, against her will, because it’s brought the team luck.

“I’m quite twitchy, but when I haven’t watched live is when we haven’t done as well, so I grin and bear it,” she says.

There’s plenty to beam about watching Brookfield Inocent. Crowned British Eventing’s (BE) top horse of 2020, with Piggy as BE’s top rider, he’s “definitely grown up”. But he’s still suspicious (articulated lorries OK, white lines on the road not OK) and very cuddly at home – “he really likes people”.

“When we went to Somerford in 2018, we realised he was something special,” Amy says. “Pig finished 20 seconds inside the time and said, ‘I didn’t even kick; the faster I go, the less spooky he is.’ And coming second at Pau in 2020 was a highlight; he was always well within himself. At that level, you don’t want them to have to graft, and he was brilliant in every phase. It makes you really proud.”

Rodrigo Zanchi, groom to Cyrname for Paul Nicholls

“You have to pay attention to everything you do; you have a Ferrari in your hands,” says Rodrigo Zanchi, who looks after A-listers including Politologue and Topofthegame for National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls. However, it’s Cyrname, who overcame unbeaten Altior at Ascot in November 2019, who has his heart. But at Ascot in February 2020, for the Betfair Chase, Cyrname fell at the last and spent 18 long minutes behind the dreaded green screens.

“It was the saddest day of my life,” Rodrigo remembers. “I was thinking, ‘He’s never going home with me.’ It was painful to see one of the greatest horses racing in the UK lying down waiting for help.”

Thanks to the vets, Cyrname finally rose to his feet and a tearful Rodrigo – now the “happiest man in the entire universe” – walked him back with Paul Nicholls.

“Paul said, ‘Look at the crowd, here for you and Cyrname. It’s going to be all right, you love him and I know he loves you.’”

Rodrigo doesn’t ride, following an accident, and has worked for Paul for five years (“it’s the best yard in the country”), having cut his teeth with Jonjo O’Neill, stints in Australia and the United States, and with his grandfather in Brazil.

Cyrname was initially a hard horse to train: “He was very keen, sweating all the time, nervous and he didn’t like traffic. But he was special from the moment he came off the lorry,” says Rodrigo. “I said, ‘Oh what a beautiful horse,’ and I fell in love.”

The secret to settling Cyrname was patience. Now he’s “the sweetest horse, he’s so kind to me. He’s changed my life, made me happy and he knows I love him.”

As for landing a job like Rodrigo’s?

“You need to love it,” he says. “If you don’t, you’ll never do it – it’s a very hard job, seven days a week. You need to love racing, travelling and your horses.”

Jo Powell, travelling groom to Twinshock Warrior for Jayne Ross

“He likes his sleep!” says Jo Powell of champion heavyweight Twinshock Warrior. “He does a lot of sleeping and a lot of snoring. He’ll come in from the field and lie down and go to sleep, sometimes before you can get his rugs off.”

Clearly any pressure that Jo feels is lost on Twinshock Warrior. He’s an easy, relaxed horse, and that’s important for a 17.2hh heavyweight.

“He has to be amenable,” Jo says. “Jayne is 5ft 5in and 8½ stone. He has to be able to be ridden by anybody.”

Jo’s key to handling pressure is planning. With a team of 22 horses, five full-time staff and some part-time, it’s not just organising the show schedules, but the day itself – when and how the horses are going to be worked in. If Jayne is in consecutive classes, the horses have to be ready for her to leave the ring and get straight on to the next one.

“At Windsor, it takes 20 minutes to get to the rings from the horsebox park. If Jayne is in the ring and can’t see the next horse in the collecting ring, she’s going to sweat,” says Jo.

All that planning paid off in 2019 when Bernard was just seven.

Jo says: “Because he’s a heavyweight, we weren’t quite sure that he’d be ready; they take longer to come to than a lightweight horse.”

Twinshock Warrior had other ideas and was most definitely ready. Unusually nimble and light on his feet, he was crowned hunter champion at the Royal International and supreme at Horse of the Year Show – a dream that Jo “never dared hope for”.

“Every win means as much as the first one,” she says. “The whole team was in floods of tears.”

Apart from Twinshock Warrior himself, who was probably napping.

Ref: 28 January 2021

You might also be interested in…

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

It shouldn’t happen to a groom (but it has…)

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

‘I taught Kate Middleton to ride’: 9 things you may not know about supergroom Alan Davies

How well do you know the dressage supergroom? Here are nine things about Alan that you might not have known….

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Alan Davies‘ guest edit: An invaluable cog – grooming through the decades H&H Plus

The role and techniques of a groom have changed over the decades, but it’s still the case that the more

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

‘I love my food, but my horses always eat before I do’ — international groom Sean Lynch shares his top tips

Read some of the top tips this in-demand showjumping groom has learnt from years on the job

‘It’s so hard to get that lucky strike’: Charlotte Dujardin on helping upcoming dressage riders

Polly Bryan — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 12:24:41 +0000

This week’s guest on the Horse & Hound Podcast is none other than Charlotte Dujardin, the reigning Olympic dressage champion, and winner of many medals riding the legendary Valegro, and more recently Mount St John Freestyle. She has an enviable string of horses in training, too, from four-year-olds right up to her current grand prix horses, Freestyle and Gio, and rides up to 11 horses every day – even in lockdown. But 2020 gave Charlotte a new experience, as an owner rather than just a rider, after she passed the ride on her now 12-year-old Jazz x Contango gelding En Vogue to Carl Hester.

“Vogue is a horse that I bought as a three-year-old and trained up to grand prix – I did a couple of grand prix on him myself – but having two othe grand prix horses, I thought Vogue would be nice for Carl to have. He is the most amazing horse to ride,” Charlotte told H&H dressage editor Polly Bryan on episode 33 of the Horse & Hound Podcast.

Carl had already had great success with Vogue, finishing third in the grand prix special at October’s Keysoe CDI3*, with over 78%, and taking reserve national champion behind Charlotte and Freestyle at the National Grand Prix Championships in December, with Carl’s best-ever score.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually really enjoying watching someone else ride my horses. I have always wanted to ride them myself, but at the national championships I got really emotional watching Carl on Vogue. It was so special to stand and watch Carl ride my horse, and a horse that means so much to me; he was a very difficult young horse, not naughty, but just very hot to train. It was very emotional and a really proud moment for me.

En Vogue isn’t the only one of Charlotte’s horses that she has opted not to compete herself.

“I have a really good seven-year-old, River Rise Isabella, who is with Katie Bailey,” said Charlotte. “She is a huge horse, probably about 17.2hh. I had her with Rob Barker originally as a young horse, and Rob won quite a lot on her. Now I’ve passed the ride to Katie, who is a really good up and coming rider, and I think it’s great that I can now give riders like her the opportunity to have some fantastic horses, and give back to the sport a bit.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 33: Charlotte Dujardin | Horses that hate being clipped | News round-up

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Charlotte Dujardin on her tough 2019, going back to basics and a very special youngster

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

What a Christmas present: Carl Hester achieves all-time personal best score

“En Vogue is an absolute powerhouse; he has medals written all over him”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“As riders we all work so hard and we all want it, but it’s so hard to get that lucky strike. I was so lucky that Carl was so generous to me and gave me the chance to fulfill my dreams,” added Charlotte, referring to Carl giving her the ride on a young Valegro when she was at the very beginning of her own grand prix career.

“If I can do that for somebody else, I’d love to be able to. And I’m really enjoying watching other people ride and develop my horses.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

H&H Awards crown the decade’s best after thousands of votes

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 12:00:36 +0000

Valegro, Nick Skelton’s superb Olympic gold and Teddy the Shetland are among those voted by you as the winners of the 2020 H&H Awards, in partnership with NAF.

Today (9 December) we announce the winners of our decade categories, following on from yesterday’s “of the year” titles.

Nick and Big Star’s individual Rio Olympic victory was, by a landslide, voted the Horserail moment of the decade.

“For me this is more than the moment of the decade, it’s the moment of a lifetime,” said Nick, whose tears on the podium revealed just how much the medal meant.

“It took many years and eight Olympic Games before I finally succeeded,” he reflected.

“I’d had many near-misses, such as in Athens and London, but when I woke up on the morning of the final in Rio, I had a good feeling that this was going to be the day, because I knew Big Star was getting better day by day.”

Nick and the Widdowsons’ great stallion were first to go in a nail-biting six-way jump-off  to decide the medals.

“Going into that last round,  I thought, ‘This is it, this is the last time I’m ever going to do this, because there’s not going to be another Olympic Games in me,  or in Big Star,’” said Nick.

“I won it on the best horse  I’ve ever had in my life. Whether the gold medal was due, or it  came from above, I owe this award to Big Star.”

The incomparable Valegro, who won eight gold medals and broke every record going during his stellar career, not to mention continuing to delight his fans and raising money for charity since his retirement, was the worthy winner of the SEIB horse of the decade award.

“He’s never, ever, let us down, his country down or Charlotte down,” said Carl Hester, who co-owns Valegro with Roly Luard and Anne Barrott, and who was presented with the prize at home in Newent, Gloucestershire, by H&H dressage editor Polly Bryan.

“For him to be recognised like this is truly inspirational for all of us,” said Carl. “He is the perfect mixture of a horse who enjoys his work, and an athlete.”

Valegro’s rider Charlotte Dujardin was voted Uvex Helmets professional rider of the decade.

Her fairytale journey with Valegro brought her firmly into the spotlight, and she now has a string of rides set to continue her success, led by Mount St John Freestyle, with whom she won team and individual bronze at the World Equestrian Games in 2018.

“My biggest career highlight has to be London 2012 – it was my first Olympics, and to come away with double gold, I never dreamt that could happen,” said Charlotte as she collected her award from Polly.

“I find what I have achieved really surreal. I love what I do, competing and building partnerships with these horses.”

The Pikeur amateur rider of the decade award went to the inspirational 19-year-old para showjumper and disability campaigner Evie Toombes.

Evie said she was “elated” to win.

“I was shocked, it’s so kind of everyone who voted,” she added.

Evie was born with a form of spina bifida, which affects the nerves to her legs, bladder and bowel.

“I’m tube-fed directly into my bloodstream, I’ve had quite a lot of health issues,” she said, from a hospital bed in a room which even her parents are not currently allowed to visit.

“Find a way, not an excuse,” is her motto. “Riding gives me something to look forward to when I’m in hospital,” she said. “I’m not going through all this to sit on the sofa. Having a horse and being outdoors is fantastic for all our health and mental health.

“A kid with tubes is an easy target and I was bullied at school. But the riding school was fantastic, and I look back on those memories with fondness. Horses have always given me a safe place.”

• Hear more from Evie on tomorrow’s (Thursday 9 December) episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast.

Continues below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Nick Skelton and Big Star win GOLD in Rio showjumping showdown

The Brit came off best in a six-horse jump-off at the Olympics today in Rio

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Emotional Charlotte Dujardin takes individual gold in Rio dressage: ‘It’s on the cards to retire Valegro’

The British rider was well ahead of the competition today with a flawless test on Valegro, who was almost certainly

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Diminutive Instagram star Teddy the Shetland was named Balanced Horse Feeds pony of the decade.

The miniature Shetland would usually be gearing up for fundraising at Olympia at this time of year, visiting a children’s hospice or joining a Riding for the Disabled Association group’s carol-singing session.

Owners Alice and Molly Goring struggle to believe how much Teddy is loved throughout the world.

“We’ve tried  our best to squeeze every inch  of fun out of 2020,” Alice said. “Teddy lives  for meeting people, and giving people hugs and making  them smile.”

Charities Teddy supports include Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony, and Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Molly said: “In lockdown we did a 5km run with Teddy for the hospice. Usually he travels at a slow pace but he did so well.”

Alice added: “We can’t wait to get back out to events in 2021 and for Teddy to give people some special memories.”

H&H editor in chief Sarah Jenkins said that to have a record number of votes for the awards this year means so much to all the H&H team, but even more to all of those shortlisted.

“So thank you very much to all of Horse & Hound’s readers for the near 58,000 votes cast,” she said.

“You will see in these videos how overwhelmed this year and decade’s winners were by all of your support. We couldn’t have worthier winners.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Valegro gives his bronze statue the seal of approval at unveiling

Becky Murray — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 11:17:26 +0000

Valegro was the guest of honour as a bronze statue of him in piaffe was unveiled in his home town Newent, Gloucestershire.

The Newent Initiative Trust was behind the project – with involvement from Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin and groom Alan Davies – and Georgie Welch was the sculptor. The statue was unveiled yesterday (27 October), and will complement the existing gold post box in honour of Charlotte’s London 2012 achievements.

A spokesman for the not-for-profit Newent Initiative Trust said it is hoped the statute will attract visitors to the town.

(Image credit: Daydream Equine Art)

“Originally it had been planned to be a full-sized statue but it was decided by the committee and Carl that a half-life, similar to those at Cheltenham racecourse, would be a better fit and not be as costly,” said the spokesman.

“Georgie won the chance to make the statue in 2018 and has been working with Carl, Alan and Valegro (with, I am told, a lot of packets of Polos) to produce this wonderful statue, which will be going up by Market House in Newent soon after this unveiling.”

The statute was funded by selling 12 bronze maquettes, smaller models of the sculpture.

“Eleven were sold and the final one was kindly donated by Georgie and raffled. We would like to thank all the people who bought maquettes, particularly Anne Barrott (one of Valegro’s co-owners) who without hesitating, and having not even seen one, bought the first and most expensive maquette, which started the whole process,” said the spokesman.

“This statute was in effect funded by equestrian people for an equestrian purpose, to celebrate a wonderful horse.”

Carl, who attended the unveiling with Charlotte, Alan and Valegro, thanked the Newent Initiative Team, and said to follow the gold post box with a statue is “so exciting”.

“Valegro has taken to retirement very well,” said Carl. “Under his rug is a big tummy; anyone that knows horses will know that actually the most important thing isn’t gold medals, it’s eating food and he does that very well! He may have retired from competitions but we still have a lot of people who come to the yard to see him so he is a celebrity in his own right. He’s still a star.

“Many might imagine a gold medallist to be a fiery, wild beast that needed taming but as you can see with Valegro he’s far from it. We have sick and terminally ill children come to the yard and they can ride him, he brings so much pleasure to them. He’s regularly ridden by another Olympian who lives in Newent, Trish Gardner, who’s in her 80s and he takes her round the country lanes, eating the hedges as he goes and they have a fabulous time together twice a week.”

Carl thanked Georgie for “capturing Valegro brilliantly”.

“He’s captured in a piaffe which is the most difficult thing you can do in dressage. This is probably what Valegro is most famous for and regularly scored perfect 10s for. It’s a classic picture – it’s a 10 statue of a 10 horse,” he said.

“The equestrian community has contributed to this so thank you. Not only through buying replica statues but £1 raffle tickets and we were overwhelmed so many contributed to it as they wanted to see the statue in place. I hope everyone can visit once it’s placed in Newent.”

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Daydream Equine Art)

‘I just want to do him justice’: sculptor reveals how she is creating a replica of Valegro

Ever wondered what goes into producing a replica of a living legend, such as Valegro?

(Image credit: Daydream Equine Art)

Valegro to be immortalised in life-size bronze statue

A fund-raising campaign has been launched to create a life-size statue of Valegro

(Image credit: Daydream Equine Art)

Gloucestershire-based Georgie, who formerly worked with horses and specialises in animal sculptures, told H&H it had been “ a dream come true” meeting Valegro.

“I competed in dressage when I was younger and loved it so to meet such an amazing horse like Valegro was a lifetime ambition, and to sculpt him was just the icing on the cake,” she said.

“Carl, Charlotte and Alan have been fantastic and been involved all the way along. They know him better than anybody, not just his character but his shape and manner of movement which I wanted to capture in the piaffe he’s performing in the bronze,” she said.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Judy Murray rides Valegro as sporting icons meet to film exciting new series

Lucy Elder — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 11:23:13 +0000

Dressage superstar Valegro helped make yet more dreams come true this week in a special visit from sporting icon Judy Murray.

Judy, tennis coach and mum to Andy and Jamie, spent a day filming with Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Valegro, coach Ian Cast, the team behind their success, and Aston Martin.

Judy was given the chance of a lifetime to ride the triple Olympic gold medal-winning gelding.

A photo posted by on

“At London 2012 Olympics I was captivated by “the girl with the dancing horse”. Yesterday I spent the day with them, discovering the driving forces behind their incredible journey,” she said.

Charlotte added that the horses were “amazing”.

“Such a lovely day yesterday, filming for a new prime-time production coming out later this year, called Driving Force, with the lovely team from Pow TV and Aston Martin,” she said.

“The horses were amazing as always, and Blueberry especially loved all the fuss and attention he got from the team. Very excited to share more on this soon…”

POW (Power Of Women) TV specialises in “pioneering entertainment featuring women at its centre” and more information about the series is set to be revealed in the near future.

At London 2012 @Olympics I was captivated by “the girl with the dancing horse”. Yesterday I spent the day with them, discovering the driving forces behind their incredible journey ……..?
❤️ #CharlotteDujardin #Valegro pic.twitter.com/QlwH7mOEo6At London 2012 @Olympics I was captivated by “the girl with the dancing horse”. Yesterday I spent the day with them, discovering the driving forces behind their incredible journey ……..?
❤️ #CharlotteDujardin #Valegro pic.twitter.com/QlwH7mOEo6— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 16, 2020— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 16, 2020

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Olympic champions and Aston Martins: a slice of life at home with Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

Enjoy these photos of Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin at home with some of their current upcoming superstars

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

9 of the most memorable grand prix dressage freestyles of all time

Valegro officially retired from competition at Olympia 2016, following a record-breaking career with Charlotte in the saddle.

The London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic individual champion is now 18 years old and enjoying his active retirement at home.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Olympic champions and Aston Martins: a slice of life at home with Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

Polly Bryan — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 11:24:33 +0000

Who doesn’t dream of spending their days on the yard of Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin? Their idyllic base tucked away in Gloucestershire is home to Olympic champions, world medallists and some of the most exciting up and coming horses you could hope to find. Plus dogs – lots of dogs!

So, relax and enjoy a few snapshots from a day spent with Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin at Oakelbrook Mill.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl flashes his trademark smile as he finishes a training session with his latest grand prix ride, the 11-year-old gelding En Vogue. The Jazz x Contango son was previously piloted by Charlotte Dujardin, scoring over 80% in one of his early grands prix.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Charlotte has very kindly paid me back — I gave her Valegro to ride, and now she’s given me Vogue,” said Carl, who considers the elegant black gelding a contender for the Tokyo Olympics, alongside his world team medallist Hawtins Delicato.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

While lockdown has meant that Carl and Vogue have not yet made a public competitive appearence, they are set to make an exciting grand prix debut together soon.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl Hester’s yard is home to almost as many dogs as horses — 10 in total. Here Gus keeps a watchful eye on proceedings.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl also shares his yard with a plethora of birds, including chickens, guinea fowl and these impressive peacocks.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

It’s all smiles as Charlotte puts her talented upcoming superstar Gio — aka Pumpkin — through his paces in the outdoor arena. Charlotte spotted Pumpkin in the USA while giving a clinic in late 2016, and fell in love with him straight away.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The petite Apache x Tango gelding is only nine, but is already scoring over 80% at grand prix.

“I’d love to have Pumpkin on a British team one day and see how far he can go,” says Charlotte.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

From one form of elite horsepower to another…. Charlotte shows off the Aston Martin DB11, as part of a new partnership with the luxury brand.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

And of course, the biggest star of Carl and Charlotte’s yard — Valegro. The double Olympic champion is 18 years old now, and is enjoying a very relaxed retirement at home. And he still looks as super as ever.

You may also be interested in…

‘Charlotte has paid me back for giving her Valegro’: Carl Hester reveals exciting new grand prix ride H&H Plus

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Charlotte Dujardin on her ‘Tokyo contender’ who wowed the crowds at Stoneleigh H&H VIP

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Vote Charlotte Dujardin or Nick Skelton as Britain’s greatest Olympic moment

Becky Murray — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:09:04 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin and Nick Skelton are among some of Britain’s most talented athletes included in a vote of greatest Olympic moments.

The BBC has asked the public to vote for their favourite British moment from a list of 25, from Tokyo 1964 to Rio 2016.

“There have been tear-jerkers, jaw-droppers and simply those that have been awe-inspiring,” said a BBC spokesman.

“Great Britain has enjoyed some incredible moments at the summer Olympics – but what is the greatest?”

Among the shortlist, chosen by the BBC, is dressage superstar Charlotte Dujardin and her famous dancing partner Valegro’s double gold medal-winning performances of London 2012, and showjumping legend Nick Skelton and Big Star’s individual gold at Rio 2016.

Nick Skelton GBR riding Big Star during the 2nd Qualifier for the individual Competition and the 1st round of the Team Jumping Competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 16th August 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Nick told H&H he was “very honoured” to be nominated, especially as there are only 25 nominees from across so many Games.

“Let’s hope all equestrians vote and we do well for our sport,” he said.

Charlotte and Nick face competition from the likes of pentathlete Mary Peter’s Munich 1972 gold medal, runner Kelly Holmes’ double gold at Athens 2004, cyclist Chris Hoy’s treble gold at Beijing 2008 and swimmer Becky Adlington, who aged 19 in Beijing became the first British woman to take a swimming gold since 1960 – she went on to a second gold days later. Britain’s ”Super Saturday” at London 2012, when Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah all won individual golds within 44 minutes, is also on the list.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Charlotte Dujardin wins second Olympic gold medal

Charlotte Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer added individual Olympic dressage medals to their team gold

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Nick Skelton and Big Star win GOLD in Rio showjumping showdown

The Brit came off best in a six-horse jump-off at the Olympics today in Rio

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

The public has until 10am on 25 July to vote. Television presenters Clare Balding and Gabby Logan will count down the moments during a special BBC One programme from 1.15pm on 25 July, on what should have been the opening weekend of Tokyo 2020.

“We will be counting down with them via a live text, so get involved with your favourite moments using #bbcOlympics,” said the spokesman.

To vote, visit the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/53221821

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

9 of the most memorable grand prix dressage freestyles of all time

Polly Bryan — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 15:24:27 +0000

We have rounded up some of the greatest, most memorable dressage freestyle performances of all time. Turn the volume up, and enjoy...

Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matiné (DEN) at WEG 2006

This pair shot to fame after winning individual silver in 2006 with this electrifying performance to a pop medley that scored 81.5%. The enormous Aachen crowd were unable to resist joining in for the final section, as this enchanting mare passaged up the centre line perfectly on the beat to their Lady Marmalade music.

Isabell Werth on Gigolo (GER) at Atlanta Olympics 1996

At the inauguration of dressage freestyle into the Olympic Games programme, it was this routine that won Isabell Werth her first – and, to date, only – Olympic individual gold medal, as she edged out arch rival Anky van Grunsven to take gold on 76.6% with the legendary Gigolo. It set the standard for grand prix kürs, with a soundtrack really designed to enhance the horse and tell a story, rather than just acting as background music.

Edward Gal on Totilas (NED) at Olympia 2009

Who could forget this world record-breaking freestyle by Edward Gal and the one-and-only Totilas? The legendary black stallion produced a performance unlike anything anybody in the dressage world had seen before and blew the judges away with 92.3%, finishing at the top of the leaderboard with a 10% margin.

Laura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Højris (GBR) at London Olympics 2012

Possibly one of the most well choreographed and befitting freestyles of all time, this performance from Britain’s Laura Bechtolsheimer (now Tomlinson) and Mistral Højris earned them 84.339% and individual Olympic bronze. The catchy Lion King medley suits “Alf” down to the ground, and Laura’s emotion and pride in her horse at her final halt is a delight to see.

Anky van Grunsven on Salinero (NED) at WEG 2006

She’s long been known as the “Queen of the Kür”, and has a plethora of standout freestyle performances, including with her Olympic champion Bonfire. But this one of Salinero’s, entitled L’Espirit Chanson and created by Dutch composers Cees Slings and Victor Kerkhof, may well be the best of all. It also features Anky’s own vocals accompanying her canter half-pass sequence. This particular performance earned her 86.1% and the world championship title.

Carl Hester on Nip Tuck (GBR) at Olympia 2016

This intricate freestyle was set to music by Tom Hunt, and based on Mr Selfridge. A masterclass in how to use a floorplan to really show off a horse’s strengths, it suited the quirky “Barney” down the ground, with the eye-watering level of difficulty really highlighting the tall gelding’s straightness and talent for the collected work. He may not be as flamboyant a mover as many top horses, but with the first centre line alone featuring a full piaffe pirouette, passage and a double canter pirouette, this routine certainly has plenty of wow factor, scoring 84.669% for the win here.

Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz on Fuego De Cardenas (ESP) at WEG 2010

A freestyle full to the brim with energy and Spanish flair, this thrilling performance earned the pair a resounding standing ovation in the giant Kentucky stadium, as well as fifth place with 81.45%. The Spanish flamenco-style music, composed by Michael Erdmann, was superbly suited to this PRE stallion, and the excited and very vocal American crowd went wild for Juan’s one-handed centre lines.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB (GER) at Rotterdam Europeans 2019

This exquisite, more recent performance, which earned Jessica her first ever individual medal – bronze, with 89.107% – is sure to go down in history. The beautiful music from La La Land really suits the tall elegant mare, and her equally elegant rider, perfectly and the sheer harmony between the combination is a delight to witness.

Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro (GBR) at London Olympics 2012

And finally, arguably the greatest of them all! Charlotte and Valegro produced so many dazzling freestyles, setting new world records at Olympia in both 2013 and 2014 along the way, but it is their gloriously British performance from London 2012 that will always stick the most firmly in so many minds. Having already lead Britain to a historic team gold, they stunned the Greenwich Park crowds with their memorable routine featuring Land of Hope and Glory and the chimes of Big Ben to score 90.089% and become Olympic champions.

You may also be interest in…

Valegro’s dam dies aged 26, leaving remarkable legacy

Polly Bryan — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 06:03:56 +0000

Maifleur, the dam to double Olympic champion Valegro, has died aged 26.

The KWPN chestnut mare, owned by Valegro’s breeders, Joop and Maartje Hanse, was by Voltaire stallion Gershwin, out of Heidelberg mare Weidyfleur.

Credited with “keur” status by the KWPN in 1997, Maifleur was herself a prolific winner in breed classes, just as her own mother had been – both Weidyfleur and Maifleur were crowned champion of the Zeeland breed show.

The Hanses, based at Burgh Hamstede to the southwest of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, selected the then-upcoming Ferro stallion Negro to complement Maifleur’s jumping bloodlines. The resulting foal, born on 5 July 2002, was Valegro – originally named Vainqueurfleur by the Hanses.

Valegro was bought as a foal by Gertjan Van Olst, owner of Negro, and admired as a two-year-old by Britain’s Carl Hester at the KWPN stallion show. When Valegro failed to make the grade as a stallion, Carl bought him and after he was gelded, he arrived to live at Carl’s Gloucestershire yard.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Lelegro: Valegro’s first full brother is born

A week-old chestnut colt has attracted attention from across the world

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘One of the greatest creatures God ever created’: Watch Olympia’s emotional Valegro retirement video

Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Alan Davies, Natasha Baker and Claire Balding are among those to pay tribute to the dressage

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Maifleur has left behind an impressive legacy. She produced six foals, including three others by Negro, making them full siblings to Valegro. These are chestnut mare Weidyfleur II, now 17, Jalegrofleur, another chestnut mare now aged six, and her final offspring, Lelegro, a liver chestnut KWPN stallion. As a foal, Lelegro fetched €50,000 (£45,000) at the Excellent Dressage Sales, selling to Britain’s Caroline Kemp and Julia Hughes.

Weidyfleur II, owned by Claire Hester and based in Gloucestershire, has also produced six foals. Among these are nine-year-old Uthopia stallion U-Genius – now competing successfully at advanced medium in the UK with Amy Woodhead – and seven-year-old Dimaggio stallion Integro, now winning at elementary with Jenny Martell.

Maifleur, who was still being hacked out by Joop up to the age of 25, last appeared in public at the KWPN stallion licensing in

‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, in February 2017, where a retirement ceremony was held for Valegro, and the two horses met.

Valegro II and his fellow hobby horses raise £4,000 for the NHS

Becky Murray — Mon, 18 May 2020 12:03:48 +0000

Dressage superstar Valegro’s one-legged brother has sold for £2,000 at auction as his fellow hobby horses rake in more funds for charity.

Valegro II, described as the “exciting FEI pony prospect” attracted 66 bids in Dressage Anywhere’s online auction raising funds for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 appeal.

A Dressage Anywhere spokesman said new owner Tracy had signed up to the NHS volunteer responder programme but had wondered what else she could do to help the health service.

“Tracy had watched Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro twice at Olympia in the freestyle and fell in love with him,” said the spokesman.

Tracy, who did not start riding until she was in her early 30s and rides at medium level on her current horse, said: “Carl Hester thought Valegro II had international potential. I have a spare stable and lots of grass so I felt this might be my chance to compete in tails before I hit 50 this year”.

The spokesman added that contributions from the dressage community had not stopped there, thanks to the idea of using hobby horses to replace riding during lockdown restrictions, which was thought up by Dressage Anywhere’s Nereide Goodman.

“At first I thought Nereide had lost the plot but thinking about it further we thought the idea might have legs or in this case a leg,” said business partner Ruth Chappell.

“We start giggling about all the things we could do, the tests we could run and the judges we could enlist and that set the tone of the competition. We had a platform in place to run it all online, so ‘Ride a Hobby Horse for the NHS’ was launched.

Ruth said they are “absolutely thrilled” and grateful so many from the equestrian world entered into the spirit of the event, as well as raising a further £2,000 for the charity.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Dressage Anywhere)

Dressage with a difference: hobby horses at the ready to help NHS

Entry is open to all, with 80% of the entry fee going to NHS Charities Together

(Image credit: Dressage Anywhere)

Valegro’s one-legged ‘full brother’ goes up for auction

‘Valegro II, according to Carl Hester, has all the attributes to make a top international prospect’

“Grand prix judge Stephen Clark was able to give many high marks throughout but did comment that some of the lateral work was rather wooden and lacking suppleness,” she said.

Other judges included Jennie Loriston-Clarke, who judged the freestyle, won by top rider Alice Oppenheimer and her one-legged partner Legless. Para rider Natasha Baker judged the RDA class, while the Pony Club tests were judged by Alice Oppenheimer and Becky Moody.

Dressage Anywhere’s hobby horse competitions have concluded with the organisation’s monthly online dressage competitions back up and running now that advice on riding during lockdown has been eased.

‘My treasured memories of Valegro’, according to his groom Alan Davies

Polly Bryan — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:00:23 +0000

For a guest-edit of a 2020 edition of Horse & Hound, Alan Davies, groom to Valegro during his record-breaking career, shared some of his highlights and most treasured memories from their time together.

Vidauban CDI, 2011

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro won two grands prix and two grand prix specials across the two-week show…

“This was the first international show at grand prix level for Charlotte and “Blueberry’, so we didn’t know how either of them would react,” says Alan Davies, using the stable name for his charge, Valegro. “We took three horses to compete over two weeks, and it was supposed to be a relaxed, educational trip. But after Blueberry’s first win, Carl’s phone started buzzing constantly and suddenly people were asking, ‘Who is this rider? Who is this horse?’ It wasn’t the quiet trip we had expected!”

Rotterdam Europeans, 2011

At their first championship, Charlotte and Valegro helped the team win Britain’s first dressage gold medal…

On the path to greatness: the Rotterdam Europeans in 2011. (Image credit: Alamy)

“The Rotterdam Europeans were unbelievable, because no one expected Britain to win gold. At that time the Brits were nearly always the underdogs, and we were certainly not expected to beat the Dutch on home ground. Uthopia led the way for the Brits, and although Blueberry had a few green mistakes, he did amazing work and neither he nor Charlotte were bothered by the pressure. This was an amazingly proud moment, not just for the team and the country, but for these two horses, whom Carl and Charlotte had trained from youngsters, to be on top like that. It was gobsmacking actually.”

Hagen CDI4*, 2012

Just one year in to their international career, Charlotte and Valegro set a new world record of 88.02% for the grand prix special…

“We took Blueberry to Hagen mostly just for extra experience in the run-up to the Olympics – breaking the record that had been set by Totilas was totally unexpected. He and Charlotte did the most incredible test; Carl and I held our breath throughout. I can picture Blueberry’s one-time changes that day even now – they were huge, so forward, so beautiful, and he just had the biggest smile on his face.”

London Olympics, 2012

Charlotte and Valegro led Britain to gold, as well as becoming the individual Olympic champions…

Valegro en route to team and individual gold at London 2012. (Image credit: Alamy)

“My clearest memory of the London Olympics is driving the lorry out of the gates of Greenwich Park on our way home, and a huge cheer went up from all the people sitting outside the pub. I felt this huge sense of relief that we had managed to pull this off. Blueberry was only 10 and Charlotte was still inexperienced; I couldn’t believe we’d done it. The medal ceremony was a bit of a blur. In the collecting ring it was mayhem – we knew it was gold, but we weren’t sure how the prize-giving was going to work. I remember Charlotte saying to me, ‘Please come in with me, I want you in there with me.’ It wasn’t until we got back to the stables afterwards that we properly realised what had just happened.”

Olympia, 2013

Charlotte and Valegro broke the world record previously set by Edward Gal and Totilas for the grand prix freestyle, scoring 93.97%…

Record breakers! Valegro scores 93.97% at Olympia in 2013. (Image credit: Alamy)

“Olympia 2013 was the first time he broke the record in the music – the last one he hadn’t yet broken. Charlotte had to do an interview after her test, so I took Blueberry back to the stables and washed him off. I didn’t know what mark they had, or what was going on. Then Charlotte came running down to the stables screaming and shouting. It so happened that we were stabled near Edward Gal, and as Charlotte flung her arms around me she saw him and his groom Vanessa Ruiter, and said, ‘Oh my God I’m really sorry – I’ve just broken your record.’ But Vanessa told me that if it had to happen, she was glad it was us – the Dutch adored Blueberry.”

World Equestrian Games, 2014

Charlotte and Valegro became world champions…

“I’ll never forget a particular moment during the individual prize-giving at the World Equestrian Games in France. The podium faced the press down one long side, but as the girls were getting their medals on the podium, and we grooms were standing behind with the horses, I heard someone call my name from the other side of the stadium. I turned, and walked with Blueberry over to the stands on that side and the crowd went crazy: waving flags, clapping, cheering, shouting his name, shouting my name. It was amazing to see how many people really appreciated grooms and the importance of our role behind the scenes.”

Las Vegas World Cup Final, 2015

Charlotte and Valegro claimed their second consecutive World Cup title with 94.19%…

World Cup winners in Vegas. (Image credit: Alamy)

“Competing in Vegas was a completely surreal experience, and the crowds were unbelievable. You could hear a pin drop at the start of their test, but as it went on you could hear the crowd start to buzz, then they were all clapping along at the end. It was amazing to see how much they got behind Charlotte and of course Blueberry loved it – the bigger the crowd the better for him.”

Rio Olympics, 2016

As well as securing team silver for Britain, Charlotte and Valegro retained their Olympic title on what was their final competitive outing…

Valegro heads for more Olympic gold medals at the Rio Olympics. (Image credit: Alamy)

“There was a lot of pressure on the pair of them in Rio – Charlotte was the reigning Olympic champion after all. Just before she went into the arena for the freestyle was the first time I ever saw Charlotte slightly nervous. I told her to take a deep breath, that she’d be fine. We had to walk down a ramp to get into the arena and as we did Blueberry heard the crowd clapping and I just saw him lift as he completely went into performance mode, as if to say, ‘Come on Charlotte.’ And they were foot perfect. He tried so hard, put his heart and soul into it, listened to her on every step, and was perfectly on the beat of the music – it was just a joy to watch. That horse has the biggest heart, and he really showed it that day.”

Valegro’s retirement ceremony at Olympia, 2016

After cementing his place in history as the most successful dressage horse of all time, Valegro was officially retired with an emotional ceremony at Olympia 2016…

Valegro performs to the crowds one last time, in his retirement ceremony at Olympia in 2016. (Image credit: Alamy)

“It was Simon Brooks-Ward’s idea that I should lead Valegro into the last part of the ceremony. I had to stay in the collecting ring on my own with him while they were doing interviews in the ring, and I was in pieces. I felt the tears coming and tried to pull myself together. But as the curtains opened, the noise from the crowd, the absolute love I felt from them for this horse, meant that I sobbed all the way up the centre line. It was tears of joy that he was going out at the top, that he was just the most phenomenal horse and everyone loved him – walking in there together was the most incredible moment of my life. The two of us have been all around the world together; he’s trusted me to take him to all these places, and I felt so honoured that he loved and trusted me enough to walk with me up the centre line at Olympia.”

– This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine; 30 April 2020 –

Do you have a special memory of Valegro that you’d like to share with other H&H readers? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to have it published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine – plus don’t miss further tributes to Valegro and Uthopia in 11 December issue

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

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like to read…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Valegro – ‘A name that will, quite simply, last for eternity,’ says Carl Hester

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘One of the greatest creatures God ever created’: Watch Olympia’s emotional Valegro retirement video

Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Alan Davies, Natasha Baker and Claire Balding are among those to pay tribute to the dressage

Valegro’s one-legged ‘full brother’ goes up for auction

Becky Murray — Sun, 03 May 2020 16:33:33 +0000

The moment dressage fans across the world have been waiting for has come as Valegro II goes up for auction.

The “exciting FEI pony prospect” is a full brother to Charlotte Dujardin’s gold medal-winning partner Valegro, but described as smaller – with only one leg. Bidding for the online auction is now live and will run until 10 May with all proceeds going to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 appeal.

Place your bid here

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Valegro II, according to Carl Hester, has all the attributes to make a top international prospect,” said a spokesman for Dressage Anywhere, which is hosting the online auction.

“The hobby horse is receiving his education with Olympic riders Carl and Charlotte at the moment, but they now feel he is ready to take an ambitious rider to the very top as sadly he has not grown enough for either of them.”

Valegro II has been donated by his “breeder”, Laurel Designs.

“In further appreciation to the NHS, stabling and schooling at the Gloucestershire stables is being provided without charge,” added the spokesman.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Dressage Anywhere)

Farewell Valegro: celebrating the life of the wonder horse who ushered in a new era of dressage

(Image credit: Dressage Anywhere)

7 reasons why Valegro still rules the dressage world

The great Valegro is still proving to have a huge impact on the dressage world and beyond…

(Image credit: Dressage Anywhere)

“The winning bidder and new owner will be invited to meet the World champion Valegro to see the two brothers together when they collect Valegro II from Carl and Charlotte’s yard in Gloucestershire, once it’s safe to do so.”

Dressage Anywhere has raised more than £1,000 for the NHS Charities Together appeal from profits from its hobby horse online dressage competition. Those interested in taking part have until 10 May to submit an entry for judging, with classes ranging from novice to grand prix.

Farewell Valegro: celebrating the life of the wonder horse who ushered in a new era of dressage

Alice Collins — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 16:08:20 +0000

We celebrate the life and glory of the legendary dressage horse who broke records on the world’s most prestigious sporting stages, gifted Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin with ‘all the knowledge in the world’ and loved nothing more than a square meal

Valegro (2002-2025) was the dressage wonderhorse who, with his rider Charlotte Dujardin, wowed the world, winning title after title and setting new records in all three types of grand prix.

Among the dark bay 16.2hh gelding’s greatest achievements was his double gold in at the London Olympic Games in 2012, arguably broadening the profile of the sport and bringing it to a wider audience in the UK and beyond.

He also won individual gold at the 2016 Olympics; the grand prix and grand prix special gold medals at the 2013 and 2015 European Championships; and individual gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2014. At Olympia 2014, he beat his own world record to achieve the highest-ever recorded grand prix freestyle dressage score: 94.3%. His record remains unbeaten.

Valegro: the early years

Valegro, who is by Negro and out of Maifleur (by Gershwin), belongs to Carl Hester, Roly Luard and Anne Barrott. He moved to Carl’s yard in Gloucestershire as a two-year-old.

“I saw this beautiful dished head over the door and this great big arse,” recalls Carl of the day he clapped eyes on the young Valegro. “My mantra is to look for horses with the head of a duchess and bottom of a cook. He certainly matches that.

“In the early days his movement — even without suspension — had all the right mechanics. He had hock action for the piaffe and passage, and high shoulder action in canter. You could envisage he’d be expressive,” Carl continues. “From being broken, and at every stage, he learnt everything easily.”

Carl Hester riding Valegro as a young horse showing off his huge canter. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Carl’s protégée, Charlotte Dujardin, was given the ride on Valegro as a young horse to bring him on for Carl to ride. However, their partnership proved too strong to dissolve.

“I clearly remember seeing Valegro for the first time,” Charlotte recalls. “He was in the four-year-old class at Addington Premier League with Carl on him. I saw his canter and my jaw just dropped. It was so powerful. I stared and thought: ‘I’d like a go on that one.’

“Then Carl asked me to do 10 days’ holiday cover at his yard and I saw Lucy Cartwright on Valegro. He ate up the long side in about four strides.”

Carl knew Charlotte was itching to ride Valegro, known at home as “Blueberry”, and when she got the chance she “grinned from ear to ear”.

“I knew straight away that Valegro was for me. Every question we asked him in training, he already knew the answer. It wasn’t really me teaching him; more the other way round.

“Sometimes when I finished a test with him I’d feel so emotional because he’d given me everything he had. Riding him is like driving a Ferrari; you have all the power, but with control at the lightest touch, without tension.”

Carl recalls: “At a young horse demo, Stephen Clarke questioned whether the horse’s huge canter could be collected sufficiently for pirouettes. I thought his canter was outstanding, and he’d already got a 10 in another class for it. Charlotte and I decided right then that we’d start collecting that canter. There’s nothing like a bit of criticism to prove people wrong.”

Valegro’s golden glory at London 2012

The horse’s greatest moment came at the London 2012 Olympics where he won team and then individual gold.

“On that day of the individual in London, I had to warm up alone as Carl was busy competing. People asked me if I’d cry if I won, and I always said, ‘No!’ Anyway, I never thought we’d win an individual medal,” Charlotte admits. “We made a little mistake towards the end of the test, so I wasn’t at all sure of the result. But I looked up during our bit check and a lady was hanging over the side of the stands shouting, ‘You’ve done it!’

“I was an emotional wreck. I cried and cried, and did all the things I’d said I wouldn’t do.”

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at London 2012. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Despite being asked to name their price after the 2012 Olympics, Carl and co-owner Roly Luard ultimately decided to secure the horse’s future, and Valegro remained at Carl’s for the rest of his days.

Around London 2012, the media were in overdrive, and offers started flooding in for the horse.

“Nobody really mentioned figures,” remembers Carl. “It was more like, ‘Whatever you want, you can have; name your price.’ We were dithering about selling, but after the 2013 Euros Judy Harvey and Richard Davison said that he is simply the best horse dressage has ever seen.

“At that moment I told Roly I didn’t think we should sell him after everything he’d done for us — and for Charlotte, his groom Alan Davies and for the public. She agreed straight away. Knowing he’ll never be sold took a real weight off.”

Soon afterwards, after reading about it in Horse & Hound, Anne Barrott come on board as a part-owner.

“She was a godsend,” adds Carl.

Valegro enjoying his favourite occupation: eating. (Image credit: Steve Bardens)

Famously, Carl believes that horses should be allowed to be horses, so Valegro enjoyed regular turnout and hacking. And while Valegro’s heady career is well documented, less well known is his penchant for eating.

“Interest in him was insane,” says Carl. “But for Blueberry, life didn’t change; he went to shows, came home and went in the field. Grass was his big love.”

Valegro at Rio and retirement

Expectations were high on the run-up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, but Blueberry rose to the occasion to score 93.857% in the individual competition. He not only brought home the gold medal, but was also instrumental in securing team silver for Great Britain.

Valegro retired from competition after retaining individual Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Games. Over the course of his retirement, he remained in work and entertained his fans with special appearances.

Valegro’s official retirement ceremony at Olympia. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

His official retirement ceremony took place at Olympia 2016, where he produced an outstanding performance of his London 2012 freestyle to a packed house, proving that he was bowing out at the very top of his game.

“He was at the top of his game for more than six years then, and that’s enough,” says Carl, while Charlotte adds: “I want to thank Blueberry for being such a pro and the best partner I could ever have. He’s gifted me all the confidence and the knowledge in the world.”

Farewell to a legend

Carl and Charlotte said their final farewells to Valegro, as well as superstar stablemate Uthopia, were put to sleep on December 1 2025.

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

“They leave behind a huge void, and the yard has changed for ever and so have we,” he continued. “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.”

“You have been my constant, my rock,” read Charlotte’s tribute to Valegro. “Through the highest highs and the lowest lows, your gentle presence, your steady heartbeat, the silent moments we shared together have been my everything, the place I could always go to.

“In those quiet moments we had so many conversations without words; you loved me completely, as I am. You saw my heart and I yours.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound’s The 100 Greatest Horses Of All Time magazine

‘What could go wrong?’: TV presenter set dressage challenge by Charlotte Dujardin

Becky Murray — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:18:03 +0000

A television presenter who has never sat on a horse before has been challenged to take up dressage by Charlotte Dujardin to mark this year’s Olympics.

Dan Walker and his five BBC Breakfast co-hosts will take part in the Tokyo 2020 Presenter Challenge which involves each of them being paired with a British athlete to learn a new sport.

Tokyo 2020 | Presenter Challenge?CHALLENGE TIME ?Tokyo 2020 is fast approaching and our presenters have teamed up with British athletes to learn a new sport.Posted by BBC Breakfast on Monday, February 24, 2020

On Tuesday morning’s (24 February) programme Dan and his colleagues found out via video which athlete they would be paired with, with Dan receiving a message from dressage superstar Charlotte who introduced her triple gold medal-winning partner Valegro.

“We challenge you to take up dressage,” said Charlotte.

As the challenge was revealed, a nervous Dan could be heard telling his colleagues he has never sat on a horse.

The full details of Dan’s training are still to be released but a BBC spokesman told H&H Dan will be taking a closer look at the sport and exploring what it entails, and will “learn the basics” before he goes to meet Charlotte.

A spokesman for British Dressage said “this is going to be worth following” adding that there was no one better to mentor Dan – who tweeted “What could possibly go wrong?”.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Valegro set to delight fans at Badminton Horse Trials this year

‘These will be very special moments on the Thursday and Friday and highly appropriate in this Olympic year’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

9 reasons why 2020 is set to be an exciting year for dressage

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A spokesman for the British Equestrian Federation said the organisation will keep fans updated with how Dan gets on in the saddle in the run-up to Tokyo.

The other combinations taking part in the challenge are:

Naga Munchetty and taekwando Olympian Jade Jones
Charlie Stayt and swimmer James Guy
Louise Minchin and sport climber Shauna Coxsey
Nikki Fox and boccia Paralympian Jamie McCowan
Sally Nugent and world champion athletics star Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Mike Bushell and Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock

Would you like to read Horse & Hound¹s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free

Valegro set to delight fans at Badminton Horse Trials this year

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 17:03:14 +0000

Dressage superstar Valegro is to make an appearance at Badminton Horse Trials this year.

The former World and European, and current Olympic champion will head a “parade of champions” on the Thursday of the event (6 to 10 May).

While not quite fulfilling an H&H April Fool saying he was to turn his hoof to eventing, the 18-year-old gelding will lead the parade of British medal-winning horses on the first day of dressage. It marks the fact that the 2020 British Olympic equestrian team is the beneficiary of this year’s Badminton fundraising events, via the British Equestrian Federation and the British Equestrian Federation Fund.

A Badminton spokesman said: “Horses who have brought enormous pride to our country at past Olympics will be paraded in hand; these champions will be led in by none other than the world’s leading dressage star, Valegro – the double Olympic individual gold medallist in 2012 and 2016.”

After the parade, London 2012 team gold and individual bronze medallist Laura Tomlinson will give a display, showing off some of her string working at grand prix level, and sharing training tips for each horse.

Badminton final scores

The following day (8 May), Laura will give a dressage to music demonstration, in a session organisers promise will be “a real eye-opener”.

Event director Jane Tuckwell told H&H: “I am very excited that Valegro, who will be joined by other Olympic equine celebrities, will be paraded in hand. The parade, together with Laura’s displays, will be very special moments on the Thursday and Friday and highly appropriate in this Olympic year. I am also greatly looking forward to Peter and Anna’s commentary on Radio Badminton which I am sure will be both informative and entertaining!”

For those listening to the action via Horseware Badminton Radio, international dressage rider and coach Anna Ross, an H&H columnist, will be joining Peter Storr in the commentary box on both dressage days.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

‘We can’t wait’: Valegro aimed at new career [April Fool]

The record-breaking dressage star is to turn his hoof to a new discipline, H&H can reveal

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

#Throwback | Badminton first-timers: Ros Canter – ‘I am stepping into the unknown’

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Peter said he was delighted to be working with Anna, adding: “Badminton is always a special place with the best in the world competing there.”

Anna said: “I’m looking forward to joining the team at Badminton Radio and to bringing the action live from the dressage arena to spectators and listeners alike.”

Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free

Hovis’ Friday diary: a week of highs and lows, tears and tantrums, snot and snogs

Hovis — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 06:57:24 +0000

Dear Diary

Well what a week! One filled with highs and lows, tears and tantrums, snot and snogs and a LOT of water. Where to begin?!

Perhaps the best place to start is the end and to say my thank yous: Thank you to the organisers of the cult event Your Horse is Alive for once again inviting me and my entourage to attend a great event where we get to raise lots of money for the charity Bransby Horses (who are in serious need right now, but more on that in a minute) and have a flipping good time as well.

Thank you to all the celebrity riders who coped so well with being in the presence of greatness and didn’t embarrass me or themselves by publicly falling apart with emotion like Halle Berry doing an acceptance speech. Thank you to all the fans, new and old (and the fractionally insane) who came from far and wide to support us, buy merchandise, make donations and generally feast their eyes on the most famous horse in the world – oh and meet Viagra (more on him in a minute). I had a great time – mum fractionally less so, but I might cover that off in next week’s diary.

So, on Thursday after levitating all night like David Blane in an indoor parachute centre, I was loaded up into my Hove-mobile and driven down to Your Horse is Alive. Mum was meeting us there straight off the plane from work and much to my horror tottered into the barn not long after we arrived, in high heels dragging a trolley case like a hostess from a budget airline specialising in employing the old and over the hill. I was bedded down and then left to get some beauty sleep before the madness began.

Friday dawned bright and early (well wet and wild, but let’s not split nostril hairs) and I was rudely awoken to be prepared for my first duties of the day; showing the crowds how I get ready for major shows. Now, I have to be honest, I was dreading this. I had mental visions of a shower and mother avec marigolds demonstrating the finer art of sausage shining with the vigour and voice over of David Attenborough describing the mating habits of the furless fructose-intolerant fruit bat – give that woman a head mike and she thinks she’s on QVC. Luckily it transpires they only wanted me to show how I get my feathers clean and what conditioner I use on my tail – thank god. Although to be fair on the Saturday Dad did think it was hilarious to scratch the WDS (willy dropping spot) such that all the photos the long suffering PR man from the company got were either verging on horse prawn (and I only generally do see food, not sea food) or were going to need some serious photoshopping to avoid the eye being distracted from the whitener to the willy. What can I say? Needless to say, I managed to wow the crowds with my professional level of prep as well as my manly physique. Mum and Aunty Em emerged looking like refuges from an explosion at a cocaine plant – covered in white powder and slightly wild eyed – but the organisers seemed not to mind too much.

The rest of Friday was spent wowing the crowds of visitors and hanging out with a few celebrity friends including the action rider Ben Atkinson, who had ME on his list of people to meet (understandable of course, but still cool), and my old mate Joe Stockdale and Fred Bergendorff, who both came to assess my desire to quit my eventing dreams and turn to pure showjumping instead – and who can blame them?

But it was Saturday that was to prove to be the bigger day of shocks when it came to meeting my celebrity fans.

On Saturday morning I once again showed the crowds that a) I’m always worth it b) Maybe I wasn’t born with it and c) there’s nothing in life that isn’t able to be hidden by chalk. Lots of chalk. Here I was joined by the foot high floof ball that is Teddy the Shetland, who looks up to me (literally have you seen the size of him), as his hero. Forget being the wind beneath his wings, I am the flatulence under his feathers…

However, it transpires that he is not the only one who is in awe.

Now I suppose it’s understandable – I get it, I really do, but to be honest people do need to really work on their cool. I know for some people, and indeed equines, meeting the horse that single hoofedly has changed the face of British Equestrianism is a “making memories of a lifetime”-type moment. I get that too. But really? We arranged a rendezvous at the back of the arena and fans the world over finally got the photo they’d all been dreaming of: The world’s most recognisable horse…. and Viagra.

Now as much as I jest, I do admire the boy for his dancing moves (although mine are much better), but when it comes to making a move the guy is faster than a ferret up a trouser leg. Before I could even say “Hi” he’d pounced on me like your Aunty Maud at Christmas and was sucking my moustache with the ferocity of a Dyson: seriously, his tongue went up my nostril faster than the wind up the M1. Now I’m a total equal opportunities kind of a guy, but wow dude! Sheesh! At least buy me dinner first!

The poor guy had even attempted to dress like me by putting some white things around the bottom of his legs – I hadn’t got the heart to tell him that they looked less feather and more fame, and that if he shoves his tongue down my throat like that again he ain’t going to be living forever, even if we know his name…

It really was a meeting of two equine titans and I’m very grateful to his lovely groom and handler Alan – mainly for tugging him out from down the back of my tonsils, but for making a lot of people very happy. Not least Viagra…

Continued below…

(Image credit: Emily-Grace Hall‎)

Hovis’ star turn with Jonty Evans jeopardised after thieves steal tack

‘People have been massively supportive, we’ve had so many offers of help and his fans have shared the information far

(Image credit: Emily-Grace Hall‎)

Bransby Horses in ‘crisis’ following life-changing floods

Director of equine welfare Emma Carter said the charity is facing “extreme times” and needs all the support it can

(Image credit: Emily-Grace Hall‎)

So, next week I shall tell you about our nightmare Sunday, the kind people who tried to help, mum auctioning me off yet again for charity and the getting together of two Irish megastars.

But before I go can I be serious for a minute? Everything I do, all the books I write, all the merchandise I sell and all the appearances I do, are for one reason and one reason only. To raise money for the Lincolnshire-based equine welfare charity Bransby Horses. Whilst we were all down at YHL2019 trying to raise funds and having a few problems of our own, they faced a crisis. The flooding in Lincolnshire has caused astronomic devastation to the land that is used to house more than 450 equines – over 40% of the land has been lost with flood waters still rising. They so very desperately need your help. Please head to my own facebook pages or to www.bransbyhorses.co.uk to see the ways in which you might be able to do something to assist; every little bit is going to make a massive difference.

Thank you all,

Laters,

Hovis

Dressage for AP McCoy while Big Star and Valegro join parade of heroes at Cheltenham

Lucy Elder — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 10:02:55 +0000

Big Star, Valegro and Chilli Morning are set to make guest appearances at Cheltenham’s Countryside Day next month (15 November).

Sir AP McCoy will also be trying his hand at dressage in a lesson with London 2012 Olympic team gold and individual bronze medallist Laura Tomlinson.

The day is a fundraiser for the Countryside Alliance and also this year for Equestrian Team GBR, to raise money towards the expenses of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“I am very excited about giving AP a lesson on one of our homebred grand prix horses,” said Laura. “It should be very entertaining seeing how he handles a very different type of power to what he is used to!”

The demonstration will take place at 11.45am in the parade ring, ahead of the racing.

This is not Sir AP’s first foray into dressage at Cheltenham — in 2015, the 20-time champion jockey returned to the paddock for a lesson aboard Barolo with Charlotte Dujardin.

“I don’t think AP has cantered this slowly in his life before,” said Yogi Breisner at the time.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

AP McCoy turns his hand to dressage at Cheltenham

AP McCoy performed a dressage demo with Charlotte Dujardin at Cheltenham

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Big Star back in the ring — with John Whitaker on board

I‘ thought I could show them all how it’s done!’

Multiple Olympic gold medal-winners Big Star and Valegro and 2015 Badminton victor Chilli Morning will be parading for fans.

They will be joined by dual Champion Chase winner Sprinter Sacre, one of the most successful and much-loved chasers of recent years, who completes the quartet of retired equine sporting heroes.

A silent auction, which will start on 26 October and run until 15 November, is expected to be one of the main fundraisers. This will include money can’t buy lots, donated by top British riders.

Gates open at 10.40am and racing starts at 12.30pm.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Meet the stallion Carl Hester deems ‘the best-bred horse in the world’

Polly Bryan — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:35:27 +0000

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.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“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.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Rose Lewis Photography)

Carl Hester: ‘I never wanted a chestnut mare, [but] I love this one’

Check out Carl Hester’s stunning prospect

(Image credit: Rose Lewis Photography)

8 training gems from Carl Hester that could transform your dressage scores

(Image credit: Rose Lewis Photography)

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.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

When Valegro met Teddy the Shetland

Polly Bryan — Thu, 16 May 2019 15:24:17 +0000

He may not have been competing there, but Valegro was certainly kept busy at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last week (8-12 May). As well as meeting The Queen, he was also introduced to equine social media royalty in the form of Instagram sensation Teddy the Shetland.

The three-year-old miniature Shetland, who boasts more than 120,000 online followers, was invited to meet Valegro at Windsor and the adorable duo spent 45 minutes getting to know one another.

“They were so sweet — they got on so well and really seemed to love each other,” said Teddy’s owner, Alice Goring, an advanced eventer and H&H’s amateur rider of the year in 2017.

“Alan [Davies] brought Valegro to meet us as Charlotte was busy riding other horses, and Alan loved Teddy — he has Shetlands himself. Teddy and Valegro are both like humans in horses’ bodies and they have a similar personality — Valegro’s very sweet and cuddly too. They seemed to be very chilled in each other’s company, and were sharing bites of grass.”

Charlotte said: “Valegro said he wouldn’t come to Windsor unless he also got to meet Teddy the Shetland. New friends for life we think.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Daydream Equine Art and Photography)

A very royal appointment: dressage ‘King’ Valegro meets The Queen

“What else has that got horse got left to do now — he’s won 10 gold medals, and now he’s

(Image credit: Daydream Equine Art and Photography)

Teddy has previously visited Badminton Horse Trials, Olympia and the Global Champions Tour, among others, as part of his work as a mascot and therapy pony, but meeting the world’s most famous dressage horse was a definite highlight.

“Teddy has such a cool life — if only he realised how many people would die to be in his position!” laughed Alice, who works full-time as a research scientist. “Next up on his schedule is the Chelsea Flower Show.

“The meeting with Valegro took place quite early in the morning so I was still at my desk by 9am that day. It was hard to believe it had actually happened!

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

7 reasons why Valegro still rules the dressage world

Polly Bryan — Sun, 12 May 2019 11:24:54 +0000

He may be into his third year of retirement after the glittering dressage career he shared with Charlotte Dujardin, but the great Valegro is still proving to have a huge impact on the dressage world and beyond…

1. He’s met The Queen

It’s an honour only extended to a privileged few but Valegro is one of them, having had the opportunity to meet the Queen at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“Valegro managed to make it very emotional as he always does, especially the way he looked at her and just didn’t move,” Carl said after the meeting.

2. He’s helping the next generation of top riders

Riding the mighty Valegro tops the wish list of almost every rider out there, and dreams came true for 11-year-old Ruby Hughes in December last year. Ruby, the daughter of international riders Gareth and Rebecca Hughes, received a lesson from ‘Uncle Carl’ on Valegro himself and showed off her talent as she put the Negro gelding through his paces.

3. He is due to be immortalised in bronze

Next year, a life size statue of Valegro himself will be unveiled in Newent town centre, near Carl Hester’s yard. In the meantime, 12 macquettes — 12-inch replicas of the finished statue — have been created of Valegro in mid-piaffe, which are now on sale. Find out exactly how Gloucestershire-sculptor Georgie Welch has created it here.

4. He’s still dancing — even in fancy dress!

He may be 17 this year but Valegro still has all the moves, even when recreating his own ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ alongside London 2012 teammate Uthopia. Carl and Charlotte braved the rain to piaffe, passage and pirouette beautifully through the puddles while making their Christmas video for 2018.

5. He helps make wishes come true for sick children

It’s not just gold medals that make dreams come true — several children fighting illness have had the pleasure of meeting him, and even sitting on him, since his retirement, including through the Willberry Wonder Pony charity’s Wilberry Wishes programme.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Future)

6. He is the star of a number of best-selling books

Valegro is of course a prominent part of Charlotte’s autobiography ‘The Girl on the Dancing Horse’ — which has been shortlisted for the Autobiography of the Year at the Telegraph Sports Book Awards — and he also stars in his own children series as well, The Blueberry Stories, written by Carl and Janet Rising.

7. He’s still making the cover of Horse & Hound

Valegro has graced the cover of Horse & Hound no fewer than 30 times — and four of those times has been since his retirement in December 2016, just proving what a superstar he still is.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.

A very royal appointment: dressage ‘King’ Valegro meets The Queen

Polly Bryan — Fri, 10 May 2019 10:44:54 +0000

He has 10 gold medals to his name and yesterday Valegro added another huge honour to the list — meeting the Queen.

With Olympic partner Charlotte Dujardin on board, and owner Carl Hester alongside, Valegro was introduced to the Queen on Thursday morning at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“Valegro manages to make everything very emotional as he always does, especially the way he looked at her and just didn’t move,” Carl told H&H.

“The Queen was absolutely delightful, very chatty and pleasant. She’s very informed and she knows Valegro and loves him. She was very complimentary about him and asked what he was doing now in retirement.

“Charlotte said she was very welcome to have him to hack around the park, but she said she was quite comfortable on her Fell pony, thank you.”

The 17-year-old Negro gelding, winner of 10 championship gold medals and two World Cup titles during his glittering career under Charlotte, behaved impeccably throughout the meeting, which took place in the private grassy avenue near the Frogmore arena on the edge of the showground.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Royal Windsor 1944: Princess Elizabeth makes her winning debut at the show

We’ve rewound the clock to remember those early days of this treasured British institution, which was due to run this

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Queen enjoys showing success on a wet Windsor Wednesday

“It was quite awesome to see the Range Rover coming towards us, and as it got closer, to realise that The Queen was actually driving it herself,” added Carl.

“She just makes everybody feel very relaxed and has a real love for the horses.

“Afterwards, Charlotte and I said, ‘What else has that got horse got left to do now — he’s won 10 gold medals, and now he’s met the Queen!’ This was the icing on the cake for Valegro.

“We have to remember that we still have a horse in dressage who is a massive personality; he is still making the sport popular and memorable, and the fact that we had the honour to do this today shows how much power he still has. And he was just so amazingly calm, but that’s his party piece — this is what he does wherever he goes.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

‘Uncle Carl gave me a lesson on Valegro’: do Christmas presents get any better than this?

Polly Bryan — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 11:52:39 +0000

One talented young rider has received the best Christmas present imaginable — a lesson from Carl Hester on none other than the mighty Valegro.

Ruby Hughes, the 11-year-old daughter of international dressage riders Gareth and Rebecca Hughes and Carl’s goddaughter, had the chance to put “Blueberry” through his paces at Carl’s beautiful Gloucestershire yard.

Ruby rode the 16-year-old Negro gelding very competently in trot and canter, even throwing in flying changes and doing some lateral work, before Carl helped her try some piaffe too, with Blueberry being very obliging.

“Blueberry was amazing. Uncle Carl gave me a lesson on him and even had me doing piaffe! And Blueberry’s canter was so big!” said Ruby.

Please wait for the video below to load. If it does not appear, click here

Christmas really is about giving. I was so happy to give my 11 yr old god daughter Ruby an early birthday gift of a lesson on the one and only Valegro.Posted by Carl Hester on Thursday, December 20, 2018

European and world team medallist Gareth added: “Ruby got an early Christmas present from her godfather Carl Hester and Valegro yesterday. This is what dreams are made of. It is something we will never forget.”

Carl added: “Christmas is about the kids! My 11-year-old god-daughter Ruby got her early Christmas present — a lesson on the one and only gold medallist Valegro.”

Ruby has had a successful season kicking off her dressage career, finishing fifth at the regional championships riding Ramnor Beau Supreme at novice, and also taking over the ride on the successful international dressage pony Le Chiffre.

Continues below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘We can’t wait’: Valegro aimed at new career [April Fool]

The record-breaking dressage star is to turn his hoof to a new discipline, H&H can reveal

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Team Hester’s blog: Shedding tears while in the main arena at Olympia with Valegro

Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin's travelling groom, Alan Davies, recalls the emotional moment Valegro retired from competition at Olympia

She is also a member of the English vaulting squad and has competed internationally in vaulting this year.

Blueberry retired from competition in an emotional ceremony at Olympia in December 2016, having broken every word record and claimed two individual Olympic titles with Charlotte Dujardin.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine out every Thursday

Valegro to make guest appearance at major British show

Lucy Elder — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 13:19:03 +0000

Dressage world record holder Valegro will make a star appearance at the Theraplate UK Liverpool International Horse Show.

The multiple Olympic gold medallist will parade at the Echo Arena on the first evening of the show (28 December) to a commentary recalling his career highlights.

“We are thrilled that Carl [Hester], and Valegro’s joint owners Roly Luard and Anne Barrot, have agreed to bring him along, he is a legend and superstar and it is a rare chance for fans to get to see him in the flesh,” said show president Nina Barbour.

“Since Valegro’s retirement from competing around the world, Carl and the team have kept him fit and well and it will be great to see him on the night.”

Charlotte and Carl will be hosting a signing and meet and greet session before the show.

Charlotte will also be competing in the inter I freestyle class that evening, riding the talented mare Florentina VI.

“Having competed at Liverpool International last year it is great to be returning and to partner Florentina in such an electric arena will be fantastic,” said Charlotte.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Valegro helps raise funds for his local RDA group

A silver-plated shoe belonging to the great Valegro is being auctioned to raise funds for his local Riding for the

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

#TBT: Valegro’s 2016 retirement ceremony at Olympia in pictures

Kleenex were out in full force at Olympia this time last year (14 December 2016) as Valegro officially retired from

Paralympic medallist Sophie Wells, Nicki Barker, Ulrik Molgaard and Lisa Marriott are among the other entries in the class, which will be judged by Jane Graham and Clive Halsall.

The programme for the opening evening performance also features the under-25 showjumping grand prix, Shetland pony grand national, live music from Rick Parfitt Jr, plus a performance by Arenacross UK freestyle motocross crew and an equestrian acrobatic display by Gilles Fortier.

The 2018 show runs from 28 to 31 December and also features CSI4* showjumping.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Latest from Horse & Hound in Valegro

‘Even when you see the end coming, it doesn’t make it any easier’ – Carl Hester shares his special memories of Valegro and Uthopia

“A silent gentleman”

You might also be interested in:

Relive the night Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin rewrote dressage history at Olympia

The original report on Charlotte and Valegro’s world record performance

You may also be interested in:

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

How Carl found Uthopia

You may also be interested in:

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

You may also be interested in:

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

You may also be interested in:

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

Alan Davies on Valegro: “The kindest horse”

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

Swarovski crystals and the Rio Olympics

You may also be interested in:

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

You may also be interested in:

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

You may also be interested in:

‘Your spirit will live on for ever’: legendary sire of Valegro dies aged 29

You may also be interested in:

Happy birthday Charlotte Dujardin! 38 pictures to celebrate her big day

Charlotte Dujardin’s career in pictures

31. Charlotte receives a rocking horse replica of Valegro for Christmas 2016

32. Charlotte and Valegro on their way to Olympic glory in Rio

33. Charlotte Dujardin pops River Rise Escala over a log on the cross-country course at Somerford Park

34. Charlotte Dujardin rides Gio, aka Pumpkin, to win his first grand prix test in January 2020

35. Charlotte and Mount St John Freestyle en-route to winning the freestyle at Olympia in 2019

36. Charlotte and her Tokyo Olympic ride Gio at Wellington CDI in 2021

38. Charlotte Dujardin at home with her double Olympic champion Valegro, aka Blueberry, and baby Isabella in 2023

You may also be interested in…

Valegro to star at BD National Convention, with glittering line-up of Olympians

Valegro last appeared at the national convention in 2015, the year before he won individual Olympic gold and team silver in Rio. Now 21 years old, the Negro gelding is enjoying an active retirement at Carl’s Gloucestershire yard, with plenty of hacking and the occasional session in the arena.

At Addington, Charlotte will share the training principles and methods that led her to two individual Olympic gold medals, and every dressage world record, with Valegro, as well as more medals in the years since, including team and individual bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, riding Gio.

The two-day event is intended to be a celebration of British dressage riders’ achievements over the past 10 years, and exploring the ways in which all riders can benefit from the training methods used by Carl, Charlotte and their teammates.

You may also be interested in…

From foal to Olympic champion: celebrating Valegro’s stellar career on his 21st birthday

3. Valegro’s early top hat days: at Addington Area Festival in 2009

4. In action at the British Dressage National Championships in 2010

5. Delighting the Olympia crowd in 2011

6. Gold medal moments: taking centre stage at London 2012

7. The home crowd give the pair a warm welcome in Greenwich Park at the London Olympics

8. Wowing the Olympia spectators with their freestyle in 2012

9. The medals keep coming: the pair take home individual gold at the Europeans in Denmark in 2013

10. “I had the ride of my life”: Charlotte and Valegro score 93.975% in an outstanding freestyle performance that sees them set a new world record at Olympia in 2013

11. Record breakers: the golden duo beat their own world record for the grand prix freestyle, with a score of 94.3% at Olympia in 2014

12. The pair bring home the individual gold medal from Rio in 2016

13. Valegro retires from competition at Olympia in 2016

14. Valegro meeting The late Queen with Carl Hester at Royal Windsor in 2019

15. Valegro with Charlotte, her fiancé Dean and baby daughter Isabella in 2023

You might also be interested in:

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

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.

“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.

You may also be interested in…

Alan Davies on top horses’ personalities and why it’s so important to know their quirks

“It is a huge part of horse management and it means you can tell if they’re on form, or not quite themselves, or if something is wrong.

“I like to watch them in the field too, from a distance. It is fascinating, and endlessly entertaining too.”

So what are some of the individual characteristics of the top dressage horses Alan has cared for over the years working with Carl and Charlotte?

Mount St John Freestyle, the mare who followed Valegro as Charlotte Dujardin’s next top grand prix horse, was very different, according to Alan.

“Freestyle is this feisty lady who is always busy and nosy and into everyone else’s business,” he laughs. “She loved attention and she’d put her own headcollar and tack on if she could.”

Carl Hester’s top horse, his Olympic and European medallist En Vogue, has a very different personality again.

You may also be interested in…

‘Valegro used to love it’: Alan Davies on flying horses around the world – and exactly what happens

What does flying horses on planes involve?

Alan Davies: ‘Flying horses involves a lot of camaraderie’

Alan has flown with many horses over his long career, and explains that they all react quite differently to the experience, while generally coping very well.

“It’s amazing how well horses cope with it all – they’re such amazing creatures, with the things we ask them to do.

“Valegro actually used to love flying. It was just me and him and we’d be off on an adventure and he got to eat lots. Especially on the long flight to Rio for the Olympics in 2016, I’m sure he was thinking, ‘Daddy’s here, with a bag of carrots – this is the life’.”

You might also be interested in: