Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro won an individual gold medal at the Blue Hors European dressage championships today, despite going wrong in the grand prix special test.
“I’ve only ridden that special once this year at Hickstead, but he felt great,” said Charlotte, who burst into tears when she realised she had won. “It was a case of pat the horse and slap the rider [for going wrong].”
The pair scored 85.699% to claim the gold medal ahead of Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg riding Damon Hill NRW. The bronze medal went to Adelinde Cornelissen of the Netherlands with Jerich Parzival. All 3 top riders scored over 80%, but each picked up an error of course during their tests.
Carl Hester and Uthopia scored 78.497 for 6th place with 10s for their extended trot and transitions from passage to extended trot to passage, but lost marks in the piaffe.
“The standards are so high that you must take risks.” said Carl. “Uthopia was brave today and his extended trots were phenomenal. I’m very happy.”
A score of 72.857 for Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi leaves them in 14th, qualifying them for Sunday’s freestyle at their first championships.
For up-to-date news, comment and pictures follow us on Twitter @horseandhound and for a full report from the competition, see H&H magazine, out 29 August.
