Carl Hester wins grand prix freestyle at national dressage championships
Hester does it again, winning his 66th national dressage championship title riding Fine Time to victory in the grand prix kur
Carl Hester won his 66th national championship title riding Fine Time to a 76.65% grand prix freestyle victory at Stoneleigh, Warks, (22 September).
Having had a fantastic ride at Hickstead international in July on the stallion, Carl felt he was coming into his own and had high hopes for him at these championships.
Carl said: “I so enjoyed riding the test. We’ve been working on the horse’s ‘go’ and, where he was a bit too hot yesterday, today he had the right amount of power. He’s really enjoying himself and I love riding him.”
Watch part of Carl’s test here:
Anders Dahl was 2nd riding his partner Fiona Bigwood’s Wie Atlantico, and Lara Griffith 3rd with the Bechtolsheimers’ Andretti H in this her 1st year of grand prix.
To read a full report, analysis and see images from the national dressage championships, don’t miss Horse & Hound’s next issue, out 26 September.
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.