Lottie admitted it wasn’t her day in Thursday’s grand prix, scoring 75.87% for sixth after mistakes in the collected canter and pirouettes. Yet she seemed unfazed, confident their best is still to come.
Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau were leading as Lottie came down the centre line, storm clouds gathering overhead — threatening, but never breaking.
Glamourdale began in style, trending in the low 80s through the trot work: calm, powerful and precise. But in the first piaffe from collected walk, he hesitated before leaping forward, earning just 3.9. It proved costly, with the piaffe double-marked and a separate score given for the transition.
They recovered well, though, lifting the marks again with their trademark canter work to finish on 75.29% and into the early lead.
“The canter was amazing and much improved from yesterday in the grand prix,” Lottie said. “The pirouettes were really good, so that was a highlight for me, and the changes, especially the ones on the centre line — they were really, really cool to ride.
“Unfortunately, there were a few miscommunications in the piaffe today. But we fixed the pirouettes already, so now it’s time to fix the piaffe for Sunday. Still, I’m really proud of him.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
A tricky arena at the European Dressage Championships
Several riders noted the challenges of going from the indoor warm-up straight into the open arena, and Lottie agreed: “It’s not the easiest arena — it’s a little bit closed in. Especially with stallions, they’re very sensitive.
“To be warming up in a closed space and then suddenly be exposed to a lot is not ideal. He loves the crowd, so that’s no problem, but it’s about coping with it and getting him to settle.”
Looking ahead to the freestyle, Lottie said the focus would be on sharpening the small details.
“The piaffe has been much improved in the warm-up — it was really good today — so it’s just about getting the communication right in the test, fine-tuning the little things. It’s so close, but a tiny mistake can become a miscommunication.”
There have been hints on her social channels of something special planned for the freestyle, with designer Joost Peters teasing it in a “Glamourdale Airlines” poster.
Lottie confirmed a new routine is on the way but kept details under wraps: “Yes, we’ve got new music, a new floor plan — it’s a little top secret at the moment, but I’m really excited about it.”
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
Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the magazine’s dressage editor and sports manager, overseeing coverage of equestrian sport. After studying equine science at Myerscough College, he spent four years working for leading dressage rider Emile Faurie, competing at the 2015 National Dressage Championships and travelling with the yard to CDIs including Aachen and Saumur. He holds a master’s degree in Literature from York St John University (2021).
