Gareth Hughes pilots upcoming star into competitive position in grand prix special at Europeans
Gareth Hughes and Sintano Van Hof Olympia at the European Dressage Championships in 2021
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Gareth Hughes was the first British rider into the arena to ride the grand prix special at the European Dressage Championships. He and his own and Judy Firmston Williams’ 11-year-old Sandro Hit son Sintano Van Hof Olympia scored 73.72%, enough to put them third at that stage. There were plenty of highlights in their test, including the pirouettes and tempi changes, as well as some very smart trotwork.
“To be honest I thought it was going to get a few more marks,” said Gareth, who was grateful for Sintano to have had his chance to perform at his first championship having been travelling reserve for the Tokyo Olympics.
“He felt very different in there today, in some ways more with me, but he was more tired so he didn’t have the electricity about him that he did in the grand prix, which made the grand prix harder to ride. It was a nicer ride as in it felt quite confident and easy, but he’s a very rangy, slow-moving horse on his own, so maybe that’s why I didn’t quite pick up the marks because he lacks that snap. But he’s never been in this situation before.”
“It was really my goal to do it without mistakes,” said Helen. “I’m so pleased today; she felt amazing. The feeling was great: she was relaxed, she was with me, she was listening, but willing and really focused and concentrated and I’m so proud of her.”
You may also be interested in…
Who could win individual medals at the European Dressage Championships – and when do the Brits ride?
Carl Hester: Medal-hunting on familiar turf
Medals, delight, pride and sensational performances: today’s key stories from the European Dressage Championships
H&H’s Hagen Europeans horse of the day: Nine-year-old Marshall-Bell – ‘I was so proud of him’
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
TOPICS
