Valegro will not compete in New York as planned
Olympic gold medal-winning dressage horse Valegro will not be competing in New York later this month (25-26 September).
Charlotte Dujardin announced that her superstar partner had been withdrawn from the Rolex Central Park Horse Show yesterday (7 September).
The pair, who are European, Olympic and world champions, planned to compete in the US Open dressage grand prix on Friday 25 September and then contest the US Open $75,000 dressage freestyle the following day, but plans have now changed.
“We have taken the decision to withdraw Blueberry [Valegro’s stable name] from the Rolex Central Park Horse Show at the end of this month,” Charlotte wrote on Facebook.
“I know this may be a disappointment for those attending the show who wanted to see him, but his welfare is our biggest priority and we want to keep him fit, happy and healthy and felt this is a long journey for him to do after an intense European championships.”
Charlotte and Valegro won an individual gold medal at the European dressage championships last month (23 August).
“I will still be attending this incredible show and will be giving some special performances on another grand prix horse during the scheduled days so hopefully will meet some of you there,” added Charlotte.
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Her performance on Saturday night (26 September) during the US Open $75,000 dressage freestyle will be performed to the How to Train Your Dragon freestyle routine she used to secure gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games with Valegro.
Her mount for the event will be announced next week.
On Sunday afternoon (27 September), Charlotte will conduct a dressage masterclass. She will discuss her training methods and the background behind choreographing a freestyle routine.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.