British World Championship dressage team likely to be without Carl Hester

Carl Hester riding En Vogue in the Tokyo Olympics — Carl Hester and En Vogue, pictured at the Tokyo Olympics.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Britain is likely to be without Carl Hester at a senior championship for the first time in 14 years, as he has withdrawn from the Wellington CDI3* (9-12 June).

H&H reported last month that Carl’s top ride En Vogue had been ruled out of this summer’s dressage World Championships in August owing to an injury. It was then confirmed that Carl would temporarily take over the reins of the Kroll family’s KK Woodstock, the top-level ride of fellow British team rider Gareth Hughes.

To qualify for the World Championships, which will take place at Herning, Denmark, from 6-14 August, combinations must score at least 66% in a grand prix at two different CDI or CDIO events between 1 January 2021 and the date of nominated entries. This would have been possible in this country had Bolesworth run but there are no more international dressage shows in Britain before the 4 July deadline.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

British dressage team likely to be without Carl Hester for the first time in 14 years

The plan was for the combination to compete at Wellington CDI, and possibly Bolesworth CDI at the end of June, at which they had the chance to achieve qualifying scores and so be eligible for selection for the four-strong British team for Herning.

Carl Hester has represented Britain at every senior championship since 2008, winning 13 medals of all colours along the way. He told H&H his goal for the 13-year-old En Vogue, who was expected to be out for about six weeks, is the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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