(Aachen, Germany 15 August 2015) Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro proved their worth once again by claiming Gold and setting a new European Championship record at the FEI European Championships today in Aachen. The duo claimed first place in the D2 MEGGLE Grand Prix Special scoring a superb 87.577%, just shy of their world-record score of 88.022%.
Strong Performances from British Contenders
Charlotte and Valegro did indeed steal the show today in front of an impressive crowd of 28,000 but there was much celebration to be had from the rest of the GB dressage camp, with two other riders finishing within the top 15 and through to tomorrow’s Freestyle. Carl Hester finished fifth after scoring 77.003% on board Nip Tuck, a personal best for the pair, while Fiona Bigwood, and her horse Atterupgaards Orthilia, who battled with the elements when the rain poured down during their test, came ninth on 74.210%.
Second Place for the Home Nation
Rolex Testimonee, Isabell Werth, rode her horse Don Johnson earlier in the day. They conceded a small error but as true professionals they recovered extremely quickly and make it through to the Freestyle tomorrow with a score of 75.924%. Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe placed second after an excellent round with her horse, Desperados FRH, scoring 83.067%.
The top 15 riders from today go through to tomorrow’s Deutsche Bank Prize, Individual Grand Prix Freestyle.
Rider Quotes
Charlotte Dujardin (GBR):
“I think after Thursday I wasn’t so happy with myself; I think I was a little too relaxed and I let silly mistakes happen. Today I wanted to go in there and do better. Valegro felt on top form outside and it was such an amazing feeling to go into the arena. As I was trotting round, I saw Kristina’s score flashing up on the screen; that really drove me on – I thought, right, I’m going to get you! It doesn’t make me afraid; it makes me fight harder.”
Kristina Bröring-Sprehe (GER):
“It was really great; he was a fighter and he gave his best. It was fantastic; the audience was wonderful and I’m really happy the stadium was so full.
Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth (GER):
“The horse was in super shape and I’m very happy that I could show the quality and that he is serious. I think that was one of his best tests. For tomorrow though we will have to wait and see we need to be in the top 15, and then I will let him dance.”
For more information on the 2015 FEI European Championships, please visit http://www.aachen2015.de/en/.
Rolex and the European Championships
Rolex is a major supporter of the biennial European Championships, an event which brings together Europe’s best equestrian pairs. For the first time, the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany, this summer (11-23 August) unites five equestrian disciplines – Show Jumping, Dressage, Driving, Vaulting and Reining. Competitors test their metal strength and show their equine discipline in front of crowds of up to 40,000.
Rolex is proud to support an occasion where the values that the leading luxury watchmaking brand holds dear – courage, precision, empathy, sportsmanship and passion – will be so clearly demonstrated.