(FRA, 29 August 2014) Charlotte Dujardin, riding Valegro, took the Gold medal in the Freestyle Grand Prix, with Helen Langehanenberg (GER) riding Damon Hill NRW taking Silver, and Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) riding Jerich Parzival N.O.P. in Bronze at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, in Normandy.
Double Gold for Dujardin and Valegro
Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and her magnificent Valegro reigned supreme at the Stade D’Ornano in front of a packed crowd, taking her second Gold medal of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, winning the Freestyle Grand Prix with a score of 92.161%. This now makes Dujardin the current Olympic, World Champion and European Champion holder – a feat never held before in dressage. Helen Langehanenberg riding Damon Hill NRW went into the stadium before Dujardin and rode a stunning test with a superb score of 88.286%. Dujardin followed straight after and knew she had to pull everything out, which she did.
Last to go in the class of the 15 competitors was the experienced Adelinde Cornelissen, riding her 17-year-old Jerich Parzival N.O.P, who was thrilled with her test, riding a Bronze medal winning score of 85.714%.
The Freestyle Grand Prix concludes a magnificent week for Dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Dujardin and the young all-female German riders dominating the three competitions.
Quotes:
Charlotte Dujardin (GBR):
I always knew it was possible [to achieve what I have achieved this week] – he is such a fantastic horse. Coming here he felt on top form and with the Grand Prix and the Special that I had, those rides were incredible, probably the best I have ever had. Then coming in here today, I just thought “you know what, I love the music – it’s where I can have fun.” It was only my third time riding that music and he just felt absolutely fantastic. I’ve only had one bad ride with him in eight years – that was at Aachen; he is just one in a million. [Being current Olympic, European and now World Champion] just feels so surreal. After London I never thought it could get better; then there was the Europeans and then I was looking forward to coming here to my first World Equestrian Games and to come away with two Gold and a Team Silver – I just can’t believe it!
Helen Langehanenberg (GER):
I’m absolutely happy – my horse is the best! The rider focuses on the test. We can’t predict the results, but it was better than we expected, perfect work. It’s a lot of fun, a perfect team, celebrating our team medals. I will keep this in my mind during my whole life!
Adelinde Cornelissen (NED):
17 years old and look at him! A lot of people said his best days were over but a Bronze medal in the World Championship proves that they were very wrong! I am very, very happy. It is not easy to ride after Charlotte, there was a lot of noise but I thought “take it easy and just do your thing.” Now it is just about keeping him fit and happy so he will still be there at the Olympics (Rio 2016).
Kristina Sprehe (GER):
I am very happy with Desperados; today he was a bit tired so I had to work a little bit more than yesterday, but it was a fantastic week – to win a team Gold and a Bronze. Desperados has been fantastic. The atmosphere was wonderful and my horse loves it – it was like London and the audience was really great too.
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE):
Don Auriello was a bit tense as I put everything into doing the best test possible. I am really pleased with him and with all three days of the competition.
Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth wins Gold with Team Germany
Earlier in the week on Tuesday 26 August, Isabell Werth took her seventh Gold medal for Germany in the Team Dressage riding her mare Bella Rose 2, with a fantastic test and score of 81.529. Werth was t hird to go for Germany and her brilliant ride helped secure Germany their 11th Dressage gold medal success since the team competition was introduced into the World Championship programme in 1996. Great Britain took the Silver medal and defending champions The Netherlands took Bronze.
By finishing on the podium, all three nations have now qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Talking of the all-female Germany team, Isabell Werth said, “It’s one of the strongest teams we have ever had for Germany. Being drawn first wasn’t good, but in 25 years of these championships, we’ve never been drawn first, but it was bound to happen at some point. Bella Rose is a ‘diamond’ – it was clear from the beginning she was special by her charisma and attitude. She has become a diamond. I’ve been lucky enough in my career to have two other diamonds – Gigolo and Satchmo.”
For more information on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and full results, please visit www.normandy2014.com.
Rolex and the World Equestrian Games
Rolex’s association with the World Equestrian Games began in 2002 in Jerez, Spain and the brand is at the forefront of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which takes place between 23 August and 7 September in Caen, France where a record 74 nations intend to take part.
The exceptional bond between Rolex and the World Equestrian Games has no doubt been instrumental in attracting 12 new countries to make their debut this year; a glorious achievement in the development of the sport on a global scale. Across the 15 days, approximately 1,200 media will follow 1,000 competitors as they compete across eight official disciplines including the Olympic sports of Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing in front of over 500,000 spectators.
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