Tag Archives: Charlotte Dujardin

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Dujardin Does It Again with New World Record Score in Reem Acra Final Grand Prix

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Charlotte Dujardin and the brilliant gelding Valegro set yet another new world record at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Final in Lyon, France. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

Lyon (FRA), 19 April 2014 – Britain’s Dressage superstars, Charlotte Dujardin and the brilliant gelding Valegro, set yet another new world record when scoring 87.129 to win today’s Grand Prix at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Final in Lyon, France.  The British duo have blazed a trail through the sport over the last two years, setting world records in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Freestyle while also scooping Olympic and European gold.  Today they re-set the Grand Prix world record target score again, and they now look well set to add the 2014 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage title to their extraordinary list of achievements when the Freestyle takes place tomorrow afternoon.

The Grand Prix start-list was reduced to 17 horse-and-rider combinations when Nanna Skodberg-Merrald’s gelding, Millibar, did not pass re-inspection first thing this morning.  But the class got off to a great start with a lovely test from the USA’s Tina Konyot and Calecto V which set the tone for a day on which more Dressage history would be made.

Target score

The Netherlands’ Edward Gal set the first strong target score when, fifth to go, he posted 80.029 with Glock’s Undercover.  But it was clear this would be bettered as, despite spectacular piaffe and some great passage, the 13-year-old gelding showed a lot of tension.

“Today was quite difficult; my horse was already excited in the warm-up, and in the arena he went a little better but he was still very tense.  Today, though, he was a little better than yesterday, so hopefully we will be better again tomorrow!” said the man who claimed the coveted title back in 2010.

Defending Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, then raised the bar even higher when following with a mark of 83.353 for an accurate but somewhat conservative test that was marked by an early halt at the very end.  “He was a bit excited on the centre line. It felt like he wanted to do passage and I thought, ‘I don’t know where this is going,’ so I decided to stop where I was!” the 31-year-old rider explained with a laugh afterwards.

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven followed with one of those elegant performances that have long been her trademark with Don Auriello for a score of 75.086, and this would prove plenty good enough for fourth place at the end of the day.

Steal the limelight

Second-last to go, it was Dujardin and Valegro who would steal all the limelight, however, as they cruised to victory with the greatest of ease. They never looked like they were working hard as they produced energetic passage and the smoothest of flying changes, their only mistake coming in piaffe.

“I’m so lucky to have such a horse; wherever I go he wants to perform although I was worried about this big arena.  The first day here he was very, very hot and I thought he might be on edge today, but when he goes down the centre line he does his job so I can ride to near-maximum.  I wanted to enjoy it; Carl [Hester, her trainer and mentor] gave me my instructions and I had just one blip in the piaffe so I was very happy with him [Valegro],” said the 28-year-old who now has her sights set on tomorrow’s deciding Freestyle competition.

She faces a significant challenge as she will be performing an entirely new arrangement of movements to a new musical score.  But she is relishing that challenge as she pointed out today.

First time

“I’m pretty used to riding my music for the first time in a competition!” she said.  “I love my new floor plan; I think it’s quite cool actually, and there’s an interesting bit at the end so I hope I can pull it off.  Carl is quite pleased with it and I’m very excited to be doing it tomorrow,” she added.

Breaking records is all in a day’s work for the British rider who, although she said she was “speechless” when she found out she had raised the Grand Prix target score yet again, appears to be near to unstoppable and just about unflappable.

She tried to make little of what she had achieved when interviewed at this evening’s post-competition press conference. “I wasn’t thinking about the score when I was in the arena; I just did my test and felt happy about it.  Carl was very happy which is always good, so when I heard it was a world record it was fantastic!” she pointed out.

Judge at C and today’s Ground Jury President, Germany’s Evi Eisenhardt, described today’s class as “one of the best competitions I have ever judged, with a great top line and a good midfield.”  It all bodes well for a thrilling conclusion to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2013/2014 when the deciding Freestyle gets underway at 13.30 local time in Lyon (FRA) tomorrow afternoon.

And no-one can discount the possibility of another world-record-breaking performance from Dujardin and her dancing horse.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final takes place in Lyon (FRA) from 17-21 April 2014. For all information on the French fixture, contact Press Officer Pascal Renauldon, Email p.renauldon@rbpresse.com, Tel +333 44 620 621.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who already held all three world records in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Freestyle, today set a new Grand Prix world record with their winning score of 87.129 at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Final in Lyon, France.

28-year-old Dujardin, who is Olympic and European gold medallist, set the previous record at last summer’s ECCO FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark with a score of 85.942.

17 horse-and-rider combinations lined out in today’s Grand Prix.

Denmark’s Nanna Skodberg Merrald did not compete following reinspection of her horse, Millibar, this morning.

Defending Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, finished second in the Grand Prix ahead of The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover in third place.

The youngest rider in today’s competition was 24-year-old Dong-Seon Kim from Korea who finished 17th with the 16-year-old Bukowski.

The youngest horse was the 10-year-old gelding Mister X who slotted into 10th place for Russia’s Inessa Merkulova.

All 17 riders go into tomorrow’s Freestyle which will decide the fate of the 2014 title.

The Freestyle competition begins at 13.30 local time.

Quotes:

FEI Dressage Director, Trond Asmyr, when asked about the music that was playing during the Grand Prix tests today:  “It is up to the organisers to choose the people who do the music for the Grand Prix.  The intention is that it should be background music that follows the rhythm of the horse but doesn’t interfere too much with what it is doing.”

Defending champion, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg, talking about her performance: “It is so easy riding Dami now; he comes into the arena and he just wants to compete. The more people that are watching him the more he likes it.  I had a good feeling today.”

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR), talking about competition with the other riders: “I don’t think about that or about anyone else; if Helen beats me, or Edward, on the day then that’s just the way it is. You do your best; you don’t know what’s going to happen and that’s what makes it interesting and a big fight every time.”

Audio Links:

Charlotte Dujardin
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Lyon_dujardin_rd1.mp3

Helen Langehanenberg  English version
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Lyon_langehanenberg_rd1_eng.mp3

Helen Langehanenberg  German Version
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Lyon_langehanenberg_rd1_ger.mp3

Edward Gal  English Version
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Lyon_gal_rd1_eng.mp3

Edward Gal  Dutch version
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Lyon_gal_rd1_dutch.mp3

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

FEI World Cup Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, is now in its 29th season. The series, created in 1985, comprises four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At Lyon:

Pascal Renauldon
Press Officer
P.renauldon@rbpresse.com
+333 44 620 621

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Head to Head of Two Mighty Talents at 2014 Reem Acra Final

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Defending Reem Acra champions, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, will face the toughest of opposition from Olympic and European champions Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro from Great Britain at next week’s Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Final. Photo: FEI/Karl Heinz Freiler, Kit Houghton.

Lausanne (SUI), 10 April 2014 – There is nothing more fascinating than witnessing two mighty talents going head to head, so the anticipation and excitement in the lead-up to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2014 at Lyon (FRA) next week is at an all-time high.

Take the precision, elegance, energy and control of the defending champions, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, and pit that against the extravagance, flair, power and presence of the Olympic and European champions and multiple record-breakers Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro from Great Britain, and you have the recipe for an electrifying weekend of competition.  The lightness in their way of going has delighted the judges and spectators alike as these two dancing horses have raised the bar for all others in recent times.

The 29th FEI World Cup Dressage Final brings together 18 riders from 11 nations who have qualified from four different Leagues around the globe. And while the Western European League in particular throws up some of the strongest contenders, there is little doubt that the biggest threat to a back-to-back double for Langehanenberg comes from the sole British representative.

Powerhouses of the sport

The last time these two powerhouses of the sport met was at the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships at Herning in Denmark last summer when Langehanenberg helped her country clinch the team title for the 22nd time with her brilliant last-to-go ride. She did so with cool conviction, but the following day, when all the main contenders were plagued by big blunders, she had to settle for Grand Prix Special silver behind Dujardin who also made a significant mistake in her test.

Dujardin then went on to add the European Freestyle title to her ever-growing medal haul and, over the winter months, continued her amazing run of form when raising the Freestyle world record target score to a colossal 93.975 when victorious at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier at Olympia, London in December. This record was previously set at 92.300 by The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and the black stallion Totilas at the same venue in 2009. Dujardin now holds all three world records at the same time: for Freestyle, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix.

Those watching Langehanenberg closely, however, have noticed her personal-best Freestyle scores, first at Stuttgart (GER) last November where she posted 89.775 and then at Neumunster (GER) in February where Damon Hill NRW earned a mark of 90.375, are moving ever closer to those of her British counterpart. When it comes to next week’s showdown in Lyon, both ladies are likely to be very aware that mistakes of any kind could prove very costly indeed in the battle for the coveted Reem Acra trophy.

Most success

The record books show that The Netherlands is the nation with most success at this Final, with 12 wins in total. Nine of those underlined the extraordinary dominance of a single rider, Anky van Grunsven, who really put Freestyle Dressage on the map with her gift for showmanship and choreography. Over a 13-year period between her first victory with the brilliant Bonfire at Los Angeles (USA) in 1995 and her last, with Salinero on home ground at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2008, van Grunsven enjoyed a spectacular nine-time winning spree that has left her in a league all her own.

Her greatest rival down the years was Germany’s Isabell Werth, the double FEI World Cup Dressage champion, also an exceptional athlete who won her first title with Fabienne at Gothenburg (SWE) in 1992, her second 15 years later with Warum Nicht FRH in Las Vegas (USA) and she has been runner-up on no less than four occasions. And 44-year-old Werth continues to amaze, currently lying sixth on the FEI World Dressage rankings which are led by Dujardin in No. 1 spot, Langehanenberg in second and Dutchman Edward Gal in third ahead of Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven.

Missing out

Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak lies fifth but is missing out on the Reem Acra Final after having to forfeit her qualifying spot due to a fall last week. She has been replaced by Mikala Gundersen who, like Lars Petersen, is US-based, and making up the Danish trio of representatives at Lyon is Nanna Skodborg Merrald, who made the cut through consistent placings on the Reem Acra Western European League circuit over the winter months.

Dong Seon Kim from Korea, who is also based in America, has taken the single qualifying spot available to riders not represented in any of the four designated leagues, while Tina Konyot and Cesar Parra were last week named as the North American League contenders. Inessa Merkulova will fly the Russian flag, but the prize for the most long-distance traveller already goes to Australia’s Mary Hanna, winner of the Pacific League.

Youngest contenders

Two of the youngest competitors are 28-year-old Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl from Germany and Holland’s Danielle Heijkoop, who turns 27 next Wednesday. Heijkoop joins Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud to complete the impressive Dutch line-up, Marcela Krinke Susmelj competes for Switzerland, Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven represents Sweden and Marc Boblet will fly the French flag with pride.

It is of course expected that younger athletes will continue to improve and develop with the passage of time, but that only serves to make it all the more remarkable that, at just 28 years of age, Dujardin has already achieved more than all the rest put together during her short career that only really began in earnest when she was given the ride on Valegro three years ago.

It normally takes a lifetime to develop the required skills, but the girl who worked for Carl Hester as a groom before the British Dressage rider and trainer noticed her exceptional talent has rocketed to the very top like a shooting star.

Langehanenberg, still only 31, has taken a different route. As she said before last year’s triumph at the Final in Gothenburg, she owes much of her success to the experience she has gained from competing in the Reem Acra series over several years.

No easy task

Langehanenberg knows that pinning Dujardin back will be no easy task, but the defending champion has an unerring belief in her stallion Damon Hill NRW. Taking on the British rider and her gelding Valegro, holds no fears.

She travels to this year’s Reem Acra Final in the knowledge that, if everything falls into place and if she and her horse continue their increasingly upward scoring pattern, she can successfully challenge the British duo and, perhaps, retain the coveted Reem Acra crown.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final will take place in Lyon (FRA) from 17-21 April 2014. For all information on the French fixture, contact Press Officer Pascal Renauldon, Email p.renauldon@rbpresse.com, Tel +333 44 620 621.

Facts and Figures:

Lyon (FRA) presents the 29th FEI World Cup Dressage Final from 17 to 21 April.

Defending Reem Acra champions are Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and the stallion Damon Hill NRW.

A total of 18 riders from 11 nations will challenge for the 2014 title.

The Netherlands holds the record for most wins at the Final, with 12 in total.

German riders are next on the list of winning-most countries with nine victories.

The Netherlands’ Anky van Grunsven boosted the Dutch statistics with a spectacular nine-time winning spree that was spread over a 13-year period.

Van Grunsven recorded her first victory with the brilliant Bonfire at Los Angeles (USA) in 1995 and secured her last, with Salinero, on home ground at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2008.

There was a last-minute change to the Danish line-up for the 2014 Final when Anna Kasprzak was injured in a fall and was replaced by Mikala Gundersen, who earned her qualifying points in the North American League

Denmark, The Netherlands and Germany will all be strongly represented with three riders each.

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

FEI World Cup Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, is now in its 29th season. The series, created in 1985, comprises four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Lyon:

Pascal Renauldon
Press Officer
P.renauldon@rbpresse.com
+333 44 620 621

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Dressage, Publications/Media, Revolution Sports

Olympic Champions Ensure Golden Evening for New Horse & Country TV Venture

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09 April 2014 – The first in a series of live events organised by the specialist international equestrian sports and lifestyle network Horse & Country TV has been crowned a “roaring success.” A sell-out crowd and a host of equestrian and British Dressage celebrities flocked to the Bacon Theatre at Dean Close School in Cheltenham last Thursday for an evening with London 2012 Dressage Gold medallists Carl Hester MBE and Charlotte Dujardin OBE.

‘An Evening with Carl and Charlotte’ hosted by H&C TV presenter Jenny Rudall was a sell-out and those lucky enough to bag a golden ticket and make the journey to the Bacon Theatre were not disappointed. The charismatic duo had the audience in fits of laughter one minute, with mouths open wide in amazement the next as they regaled them with their life stories and other anecdotes.  The live event was complemented in the theatre by screens showing clips from H&C TV programming which has followed the duo’s progress since Charlotte first arrived at Carl’s yard in 2007.

Carl Hester MBE and Charlotte Dujardin OBE were both part of GB’s Gold medal winning Dressage team at the London 2012 Olympics. Charlotte Dujardin also won Gold in the Individual Dressage.

“Whether we are competing or sitting in a theatre it’s always a pleasure to be in front of a keen and enthusiastic audience, and Charlotte and I had a fantastic evening at the Bacon Theatre,” said Carl Hester MBE.

Charlotte Dujardin OBE added:

“We were received so warmly by everyone and this definitely helps when Carl and I give insights into our journey. It’s a testament to London 2012 that there’s still such a buzz around the event nearly two years on. Winning gold was one of our proudest moments and something we never tire of talking about so we both thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the event and having the audience and our team there.”

Jonathan Rippon, Head of Programming at H&C TV, added:

“It was a fantastic evening, with two Olympic gold medallists; the tickets were like gold-dust and it’ll be television gold when it’s broadcast on H&C TV in June.”

“H&C TV is a well-established broadcast brand and our audience increasingly follows us online as well, but as a business we also want to embrace new opportunities that complement our existing range of activities.

“‘An Evening with Carl and Charlotte’ was H&C TV dipping its toe into the water of branded live events and it proved a roaring success; we couldn’t have been happier. Carl and Charlotte have great chemistry and covered a huge amount of ground over the two-hour event with a few eyebrow-raising revelations seeing the light of day!  Everyone seemed to leave smiling so it was a great way to start off this new venture with what is the first of many of these types of events for H&C TV.”

Horse & Country TV is available on Sky Channel 280 in the UK and Ireland, and on PC and mobile devices from www.horseandcountry.tv/everywhere.

Horse & Country TV broadcasts in the UK and Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Malta, and can be found on the web at www.horseandcountry.tv, www.horseandcountrytv.nl, and www.horseandcountrytv.se. The Channel carries exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living. At the UK’s Broadcast Digital Awards H&C won “Best Specialist Channel” in 2011 and was shortlisted in two categories in 2013. Online H&C publishes blogs and commentary provided by a range of experts and personalities, an extensive range of equestrian video, a calendar of events, as well as programme support material for all of the Channel’s featured shows. H&C’s role as a community hub for the horse and countryside loving community is reflected in the Channel’s 500,000+ viewers each month, 115,000+ Facebook fans and 30,000+ followers on Twitter.

Horse & Country TV press enquiries:
Gayle Telford – Revolution Sports + Entertainment
gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Dujardin and Valegro Make It a Back-to-Back Reem Acra Double in Amsterdam

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Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro made it two-in-a-row when winning today’s fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League series at Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Photo: FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst.

Amsterdam (NED), 25 January 2014 – Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro were like an unstoppable force as they marched to another spectacular victory at the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today.  With a mark of 91.275, the Olympic double-gold and individual European Championship winning partnership were 2.7 points short of the world-record Freestyle score they posted at the previous leg at Olympia, London in December.  But today’s result underpins their position at the very top of their game, and sets them firmly on the road to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final at Lyon, France in April.

The Netherlands’ Edward Gal had to settle for runner-up spot once again despite a lovely performance from Glock’s Undercover, while Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak and Donnperignon really impressed when lining up third.  Former FEI World Cup Dressage champion, Isabell Werth, headed German counterparts Fabienne Lutkemeier (D’Agostino FRH) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) when slotting into fourth with Don Johnson FRH, while Frenchman, Marc Boblet, produced a charming test from Noble Dream Concept Sol to stand seventh in the prizewinner’s line-up.

The start-list was reduced to 14 when The Netherlands’ Hans-Peter Minderhoud withdrew Glock’s Romanov, but it was another day of sparkling competition.  The Dutch crowd was captivated by the British duo who continue to take the sport of Dressage by storm, and there is no doubt that their presence is having a very positive effect as so many others have been encouraged to raise their game again this season, bringing a freshness and energy to the prestigious and long-established indoor series.

Great start

The competition got off to a great start when Dutch rider, Madeleine Witte-Vrees, posted a score of 74.500 with the 11-year-old Vitana V, and that remained the target until the French partnership of Boblet and Noble Dream Concept Sol set sail.  This pair, who finished seventh at Olympia last month, soared into the lead when scoring 76.125, and the spectators showed their appreciation of this expressive performance filled with lightness and enthusiasm.

When the German contingent went into action however they were instantly demoted, firstly by Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB who edged them out with a score of 76.650 and then again by Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino FRH who posted 77.575.

With only four left to run the Dutch took back the advantage.  The 12-year-old Glock’s Undercover produced a focused, calm and concentrated test for Edward Gal whose relationship with this horse seems to be cementing with every outing.  They looked rock solid as they strode purposefully to a mark of 85.125 which would now be the one to beat.

With just three riders per nation permitted to compete at the Final, the battle for a qualifying spot amongst the German contingent is a fierce one, but double FEI World Cup Dressage champion, Isabell Werth, threw down the best German score of 80.850 to stake her claim with Don Johnson FRH before Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak took her turn as the penultimate contestant.

The 24-year-old rider and her 15-year-old horse, Donnperignon, have developed into a dynamic duo over the last two years and were impressive from the moment they entered the arena today.  Confident and composed, they produced a very classy test for a mark of 82.000 that would always keep them well within the frame.  But the best was saved until last.

Magic

There’s a magic about Dujardin and Valegro that is difficult to explain, and such is their appeal that every time they appear in competition something sensational is expected to happen while their very presence is an occasion in itself.

Once again they didn’t disappoint, setting off in spectacular extended trot to the strains of the very first musical score they used together.  Dujardin said at Olympia that she wouldn’t use her Olympic score again, and so decided to go back to where it all began.  “I love riding to that music.  I know how I am with it, so I could relax and have fun – and my horse did too!” she after posting another whopping mark of 91.275. Stillness and balance, control and rhythm, straightness and lightness – it was all there but for a moment in canter when, according to the rider, Valegro was “spooked by a camera”.  In everything they do together, however, this horse and rider seem to be in perfect harmony.  And Valegro looked just as happy and satisfied as his rider when it was all over today.

When asked if the gelding she calls Blueberry prefers to perform indoors or in an outdoor environment, Dujardin replied, “It doesn’t really matter to him. I just feel I always have his trust, and if something happens then I just tell him it’s OK and he believes me so we can just get on with what we are doing – I’m so lucky with him!” she said of the horse with which she has enjoyed such phenomenal success over the last few years.

Remarkable

Making today’s result all the more remarkable was the fact that Dujardin has been abroad for the past few weeks so didn’t get to ride her horse.  She had a good deputy however, in her trainer and mentor Carl Hester who kept Valegro in work.

“I’ve been away for two weeks in New Zealand and only got back on Sunday so only rode for two days before here and I’m not used to that, but Carl kept him going for me,” Dujardin explained.  “Yesterday (in the Grand Prix) he was very good, but today he was even better. I felt we were back in the flow of it again,” she said, adding after a momentary pause, “You know, it’s a massive honour every time I ride this horse!”

Now her sights are set on adding the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage title to their long list of extraordinary achievements.  Talking about her plans with Valegro for the coming months, Dujardin explained, “we will go to Den Bosch (NED) and I will ride my new floor plan and music there.  Then it will be on the Final in Lyon, and I’m really looking forward to that!” she said.

Lying equal-sixth in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League rankings which continue to be headed by Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven followed by Gal in second, Werth in third and Germany’s von Bredow Werndl and Switzerland’s Marcela Krinke Susmelj in joint-fourth, it seems Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro are well set to make their mark at the Lyon Final where victory would ensure yet another entry into the record books.

Because, in the 28-year history of the FEI World Cup Dressage series, a British rider has never come out on top.  The best British result previously registered was second place for Christopher Bartle and Wily Trout at the inaugural Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands in 1986.

For further information on the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League series at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, go to www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnink, Email media@jumpingamsterdam.nl, Tel: +31 205445720, Mobile +31 6383 25326.

The next leg takes place at Neumunster, Germany on Sunday 16 February.  For all information on the German fixture, go to website http://pst-marketing.de or contact Press Officer Andreas Kerstan, Email andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel: +49 430 782 7973/+49 341 678 6012.

Result: http://results.scgvisual.com/2014/amsterdam/index.html.

Facts and Figures:

Amsterdam in The Netherlands presented Round 5 of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 series.

The Dutch fixture is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year.

14 horse-and-rider combinations competed in today’s qualifying leg following the withdrawal of Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Romanov.

Competitors from 7 nations took part – Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

Just three further qualifying rounds will take place before the series final at Lyon, France in April.

The next leg will take place at Neumunster, Germany on Sunday 16 February.

The Ground Jury for today’s competition was: At E, Adriaan Hamoen (NED); At H, Katrina Wuest (GER); At C, Francis Verbeek van Rooij (NED); At M, Jean-Michel Roudier (FRA); At B, Susanne Baarup (DEN).

Today’s winning horse-and-rider combination, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, won double Olympic gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, individual gold at the Ecco FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark last summer and hold all three world records in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Freestyle.  They set the new world Freestyle record at Olympia, London in December 2013.

Detailed Standings here: http://results.scgvisual.com/2013-2014/worldcup/jumping/westerneurope/world_cup_dressage.pdf.

FEI World Cup Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, has entered its 28th season. The series, created in 1985, comprises four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Amsterdam:

Charlotte Gunnink
media@jumpingamsterdam.nl
+31 6383 25326

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Dujardin and Valegro Smash Freestyle World Record to Win Reem Acra Leg in London

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New York fashion designer and sponsor, Reem Acra, with Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who broke the Freestyle world record with their winning performance at Olympia. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 17 December 2013 – New York fashion designer, Reem Acra, was one of many to watch in awe as Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro smashed the Freestyle world record with a breath-taking winning performance at the London International Horse Show in Olympia tonight.  The result provides the 28-year-old rider and her mighty steed with the full set of world records for the sport of Dressage.

Double-gold medallists on home turf at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the combination has not been seen in public since adding the European individual title to their stunning list of achievements at Herning in Denmark this summer.  But their legions of fans were well-rewarded for the wait, as the dynamic duo marched resolutely to make it not just a British win in front of their home crowd at the much-loved Christmas fixture, but another watershed moment in the story of this most remarkable partnership.

Beirut-born Reem Acra chose the right night to make an appearance at one of the qualifiers she has been sponsoring for the last four years.  In another pivotal moment for the sport, Dujardin pinned the man who previously held the Freestyle record, Edward Gal, into runner-up spot.  It was also at Olympia that the Dutchman and the fabulous black stallion, Totilas, set the target at 92.30 back in December 2009, and tonight Gal produced a really strong test with Glock’s Undercover for a mark of 87.425 to finish almost seven percentage points clear of impressive young Dutch cohort Danielle Heijkoop who slotted Kingsley Siro into third.  Britain’s Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi finished fourth, while The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Romanov recovered from an uncharacteristically bad day in yesterday’s Grand Prix to finish fifth ahead of Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and the veteran Digby in sixth.

It was a glittering evening from start to finish, and, as Dujardin said tonight, the end result was “the best Christmas present!”

In her sights

After winning yesterday’s Grand Prix in which she finished more than four points clear of Gal and his black gelding, Dujardin admitted that she had the Freestyle record in her sights. “That’s the one I’ve got left to break, but whether I’ll do it here, obviously that’s what I want to do, but you know it just all depends on the night really and how it goes.”  As it happened, the night went just fine.

The golden pair followed Gal and Undercover into the atmospheric cauldron of Olympia’s Grand Hall, and you could hear a pin drop as the triumphal musical score created for their sensational Olympic appearance began to play.  Dujardin and Valegro needed to exceed Gal’s target score with Undercover whose self-discipline and self-belief seems to be growing with every outing.  The 12-year-old horse demonstrated some fabulous work with rock-solid piaffe and flowing canter to really throw down the gauntlet to the reigning Olympic individual champions, but nothing could throw that pair off their stride.  Quite often they have won despite major blunders, including yesterday’s error as they began their canterwork.  But tonight there would be no mistake.  “I had the ride of my life!” said Dujardin afterwards. “I thought at the Europeans, he gave me such a great feeling. I tried to recreate that without any blips, and that’s what I got!” she added.

Early target

It was Hans Peter Minderhoud who set the early target when third to go.  Although Glock’s Romanov looked ready to explode if he got the opportunity, his rider turned all that energy into pure performance for a mark of 77.675, therefore making massive amends for the exceptionally poor 13th finishing spot in yesterday’s Grand Prix.  And he was still out in front until Dutch counterpart Heijkoop posted 80.625 for a wonderful test with Kingsley Siro.  The 28-year-old rider who was a member of this summer’s gold medal winning team at the ECCO FEI European Championships is blessed with a quiet seat and a soft hand which allows her to keep her horse perfectly in balance, and the 14-year-old gelding breezed through wonderful extended canter, passage and piaffe to pull well ahead of the rest with just four more to go.

Next were Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and her great servant, the 16-year-old Digby who was retired from team competition this summer and who is now only making special guest appearances. But the Donnerhall gelding has clearly lost none of his lust for work as he registered a very creditable 76.900.  It was Gal however who put paid to Heijkoop’s dominance, only to be immediately displaced at the top of the leaderboard by Dujardin and her dancing horse. The power, the presence, the symmetry between horse and rider and the synchronicity with the musical score worked so perfectly.

Fellow-Briton Michael Eilberg ended the evening with a lovely test from the charming grey mare Half Moon Delphi for his score of 78.700 which would place him fourth, but it was golden girl Dujardin and her 11-year-old gelding Valegro who would take all the limelight as the 8,000-strong crowd gave them a standing ovation.

All I wanted to do

Talking afterwards, Dujardin said, “You all know I came here thinking about breaking the world record; that’s what I wanted to do, but thinking it and doing it is something else. To think I have that world record, in fact all three now, is fantastic… and to do it on home ground and in front of the supporters is incredible,” she pointed out.

She expressed her appreciation to friend, trainer and mentor Carl Hester who finished eleventh of the fifteen starters tonight with Fine Time.  “Thanks to Carl and for all those days of screaming at me! And thanks to everyone that has made this happen. I couldn’t do it without them,” she said, adding, “And thanks to Carl and Roly (co-owner of Valegro) who allow me to ride such a great horse!”  Talking about her winning score, Dujardin said, “I wasn’t sure how high it was going to be, but when I finished that left pirouette that went wrong at the Europeans, then I could breathe. What a ride!”

Hester meanwhile reflected on the development of his pupil and the extraordinary Valegro and on their record-breaking win tonight. “I was clever enough to give the ride to the right person rather than trying to do it myself. It was a privilege to see. It’s important for us older riders to see the sport develop. Roly (Luard) bought him (Valegro) for me, and I had to say let’s try and develop a partnership with Charlotte.  It is very exciting to see new people come in, and inspirational to young riders to see how quickly someone with talent and with a truly exceptional horse can go and win gold medals and break world records. We all love that story. I’m very, very, very proud of her,” said the 66-time British national dressage champion.

Poignant moment

Before the hectic prize-giving ceremony there was a poignant moment for Dujardin’s London 2012 silver medal winning team-mate Laura Tomlinson who officially retired her great horse Mistral Hojris, more popularly known as Alf.  Tomlinson and Alf were instrumental in Britain’s steady ascent in the world of international Dressage in recent years, and the 28-year-old rider said tonight, “I want to celebrate all he’s given me and the sport.  Alf is leaving British Dressage in very safe hands.”  She admitted that tonight’s performance by Dujardin and Valegro left her “speechless”, and she wasn’t the only one to be staggered by pair who now hold the full hat-trick of records – for Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle – tightly in their grasp.

Gal wasn’t too surprised that his Freestyle record, set in the very same arena four years ago, has now been broken. “Valegro is an amazing horse and Charlotte is a very good rider; I like them both. I always knew that someday it will happen,” he said.

For further information on the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League series at Olympia, London, go to www.olympiahorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Jo Peck, Email JoPeck@hpower.co.uk, Tel +44 1753 847 900.

The next leg will take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Saturday 25 January 2014.  For all information on the Dutch leg of the series, go to www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnink, Email media@jumpingamsterdam.nl, Tel: +31 205445720, Mobile +31 6383 25326.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Olympic double-gold medallists and reigning European individual champions, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro from Great Britain, broke the world record for Grand Prix Freestyle when posting the winning score of 93.975 at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League qualifier at Olympia, London tonight.

The previous record of 92.3 was set by The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Totilas at Olympia in 2009.

The London International Horse Show at Olympia presented the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 series.

New York fashion designer, Reem Acra, is in her fourth year of sponsorship of the FEI World Cup Dressage series, and the Beirut-born designer to the stars attended tonight’s event.

Riders from seven nations – Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands – competed in today’s Grand Prix Freestyle to Music.

Dujardin and Valegro also won yesterday’s Grand Prix with a score of 84.851.

The Ground Jury for tonight’s competition was: At H, Susan Baarup DEN; At C, Andrew Gardner GBR; At M, Isabel Judet FRA; At E, Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode NED; At B, Isobel Wessels GBR.

Quotes:

Charlotte Dujardin, when asked if she was affected by the intensity of the atmosphere and close proximity of the spectators:  “I can shut all that out, just focus on what I have to do. I don’t see anything around me, don’t hear anything. We were definitely loved up!”

FEI Dressage Director, Trond Asmyr: “It was just fantastic to be here on a night like this. There was no real discussion who would win after the rides; it was fantastic. As far as the development of British dressage is concerned, I’ve been following it for over 15 years now and it’s no surprise you are at the level you are – developing every year, consistent and thorough work and you are at the pinnacle of it!”

Andrew Gardner (judge at C): “I can remember the days when I finished (marking) a test and gave a 9 or two 9s – I can’t tell you how many 10s I gave today. I lost count; it was top class, really fantastic sport!”

Roly Luard, co-owner of Valegro, talking to Charlotte Dujardin at the post-competition press conference: “Myself and Carl are so proud of you and the horse and everything you’ve achieved; it’s just amazing!”

British rider Laura Tomlinson talking about the official retirement of her Olympic and European team gold medal winning ride, Mistral Hojris (stable-name Alf) tonight: “It was very emotional for me retiring Alf in front of a crowd like that; to think my days of training Alf is over.”

Edward Gal: “Last year I had (a score of) 74, now 87, so for the WEG maybe we will get 96!”

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League – Standings after Round 4 at Olympia, London here: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/857/docs/WCDRE_04.pdf.

WATCH IT ALL AGAIN!  The full world record breaking performance of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro will be available soon on FEI TV and as highlights on FEI YouTube channel.

Audio Links:

New York fashion designer and series sponsor, Reem Acra: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Reem_acra.MP3

Charlotte Dujardin: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Dujardin_WR.MP3

Edward Gal: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Gal_end.MP3

Carl Hester: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Hester.MP3

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

FEI World Cup Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, has entered its 28th season. The series, created in 1985, is comprised of four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Olympia:

Jo Peck
Press Officer
JoPeck@hpower.co.uk
+447887 551879

Competitions, Dressage, FEI

Record Breaking Night at Olympia

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Olympia, London 17 December 2013 – She came and she conquered. British Olympic and European Champion Charlotte Dujardin is the new holder of the world record score for freestyle. With her champion partner Valegro the pair scored 93.975% in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle at Olympia, The London International Horse Show. The score beat the former world record of 92.3% set by Edward Gal and Totilas, also at Olympia, in 2009.

Charlotte and Valegro, owned by her trainer and mentor Carl Hester and longtime supporter Roly Luard, now hold the world record for all three grand prix tests. “I can’t believe it – I am over the moon and just ecstatic,” said Charlotte who was riding to her ‘Great Escape’ music for the last time. “I really wanted to come here and see if I could break the record to this music and at Olympia. It has been such an incredible journey with Valegro – I have achieved so much more than I ever imagined,” said Charlotte.

Each of the five judges individual scores was over the former record – French judge Isabelle Judet awarded an astonishing 96.625% – and the capacity crowd of 8,000, the largest ever on dressage night at Olympia, was on their feet applauding the bold and powerful performance even before the score flashed up on the board.

“Today I have given so many tens I have lost count which is a reflection of the quality of riders, horses and fantastic sport we have seen here,” said judge Andrew Gardner President of the Ground Jury.

Not only did the British pair rob Dutchman Edward Gal of his former title but also demoted him to second place. With the elegant Glock’s Undercover Edward enchanted the audience with a moving freestyle that highlighted the 12-year-old’s ability for piaffe and passage. The Dutch team rider was however gracious in defeat.

“I knew that losing my record would happen one day – so I just have to practice more for the future,” said Edward.

As in last night’s grand prix, young Dutch rider Danielle Heijkoop took third place on her first visit to the London venue with the 14-year-old Gribaldi gelding Kingsley Siro whose test made much of powerful passage and off the floor piaffe.

The British combination of Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi, last to go and following the new record holders had a hard act to follow but gave it their all to a foot-tapping Latin routine that earned fourth place.

Olympia debutante Lara Griffith also had a night to remember gaining ninth place on Andretti H formerly ridden by her mentor Laura Tomlinson who also came under the spotlight. It was however for the last time with her Olympic team gold medal partner Mistral Hojris who was officially retired.

“I am sad that Alf won’t be part of my future journey but glad that he is leaving British dressage in safe hands,” said Laura who won ten championship medals with the 18-year-old chestnut.

Audio Links:

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Dujardin_WR.MP3
Edward Gal (NED) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Gal_end.MP3
Carl Hester (GBR) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Hester.MP3

Final Placings

For details of the final placings in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg (Grand Prix Freestyle to Music), please click: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/857/docs/R_03.pdf.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show will be televised throughout the week on BBC Online, the BBC Red Button and Eurosport. Live coverage of the Longines FEI World Cup presented by H&M will be broadcast on BBC 1 between 13:45 and 16:30 on Saturday 21 December 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving, Show Jumping

Three World No. 1s Compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show 2013

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Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

6 December 2013 – Three FEI-ranked world No.1 riders will compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show which takes place on 16-22 December 2013, as final entries for London’s premier equine show were announced today.

Dressage sensation Charlotte Dujardin, show jumping superstar Scott Brash and carriage driving legend Boyd Exell, who are all currently leading the rankings in their respected sports, are amongst the confirmed entries for what is regarded as the world’s best Christmas equine party. It will be the first time in the history of Olympia that three world No.1s have competed at London’s premier horse show.

Dressage

London 2012 hero Charlotte Dujardin (GB) will compete her Olympic gold medal winning horse, Valegro in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg, supported by Horse & Hound on 16 and 17 December. The formidable pair won this competition at Olympia last year and Dujardin, who was shortlisted for The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year earlier this month, will be hoping to repeat that feat.

Amongst those bidding to spoil Dujardin’s Christmas party is Edward Gal (Glock’s Voice) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Romanov) from the Netherlands who are regulars at Olympia. Charlotte’s GB Teammate, Carl Hester will compete Fine Time 13, the horse with which he won the National Championships with in September. A notable absentee is Dujardin and Hester’s London 2012 Teammate, Laura Tomlinson (nee Bechtolsheimer). However, Tomlinson’s stable jockey and Reserve National Champion, Lara Griffith, makes her Olympia debut on Andretti H.

Ben Maher and Noctambule Courcelle
Ben Maher and Noctambule Courcelle

Show Jumping

The Top Three FEI-ranked show jumpers in the world, Scott Brash (GB), Ben Maher (GB) and Ludger Beerbaum (GER), are all triple handed with horses in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Leg, presented by H&M. Scotland’s Brash, who recently clinched the Longines Global Champions Tour title in Doha, elevating him to No.1 spot this week in the FEI world rankings, brings Bon Ami, Hello Annie and Ursula XII to Olympia. Maher has Aristo Z, Diva II and his London 2012 superstar Tripple X III and will also be reunited with Noctambule Courcelle in the Alltech Christmas Puissance, on whom he won the famous competition in 2010 and 2012. Legendary Beerbaum brings his three top horses Carinou, Chiara 222 and Zinedine.

Other notable entries include European individual gold medallist Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois and Britain’s current No.1 female show jumper, Laura Renwick.

Brash said: “To go to Olympia, which is one of my favourite shows, as FEI ranked world No.1 is a very special feeling. This year has been unbelievable for me and there would be nothing better than to top it off with a good week at Olympia.”

Extreme Carriage Driving

Six of the world’s best drivers will compete in the exhilarating Extreme Driving FEI World Cup on 19 and 20 December; the first competition being a warm-up to give the running order of the deciding second.

Koos de Ronde
Koos de Ronde

The line-up includes three 2013 European team gold medallists, Koos de Ronde, IJsbrand Chardon and Theo Timmerman from the Netherlands; two 2013 European team silver medallists from Germany, Daniel Schneiders and Michael Brauchle; and driving on a wild card is two time world gold medallist, four time World Cup Champion and current leader in the FEI Driver standings, Australia’s Boyd Exell. Representing Great Britain is the only female in the competition, Georgina Hunt, who is seven times National Pony Team Champion.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show will be televised throughout the week on BBC Online, the BBC Red Button and Eurosport. Live coverage of the Longines FEI World Cup presented by H&M will be broadcast on BBC 1 between 13:45 and 16:30 on Saturday 21 December 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show
Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London, will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk  Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

London 2012 Hero Charlotte Dujardin Rides with the Household Cavalry

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Wednesday 4 December 2013 – World number one dressage rider and double Olympic gold medallist, Charlotte Dujardin, went back to the roots of her sport today by riding with the Household Cavalry in Hyde Park, London.

Dujardin, who will next be seen in action competing at Olympia, The London International Horse Show on 16-17 December, is seen here riding ‘Integrity’, a Cavalry Black who is one of the lead horses in the Household Cavalry parades.

The London 2012 gold medallist, who is shortlisted for this year’s Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year Award, said: “It is a true privilege to go back to the roots of the sport that has given me so much joy and an honour to ride a well-known Cavalry Black horse.

“It is so interesting to experience how the sport of dressage has developed from the military and how they use the same skills of training that have been integral to the cavalry throughout history. These same skills are required between horse and rider even today to exhibit the grace and technique in a dressage competition.”

Dujardin will be hoping to win the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg, supported by Horse & Hound, for the second year running on 16-17 December at London’s premier horse show in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, Kensington.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show takes place on 16-22 December 2013 and will be broadcast throughout the week on BBC and Eurosport. For tickets and information, visit www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For further information please contact:
Hannah Grissell
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: 07786 052926/ 0207 5921207

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro Are Back at World Number One

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Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Valegro competing in last month’s Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships at Herning (DEN) where the combination won three medals © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 10 September 2013 – Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and her 11-year-old Olympic partner Valegro have reclaimed the world number one spot in this month’s FEI World Dressage Rankings.

The London 2012 double gold medallists, who won three medals – individual gold in the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle along with team bronze in the Grand Prix – at the recent Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships in Herning (DEN), top the rankings with 2,915 points. They hold a comfortable 67-point lead over Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage winners and European team champions and double silver medallists 2013 Helen Langehanenberg (GER) and the 13-year-old stallion Damon Hill NRW.

Last month’s leaders Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) and Jerich Parzival are in third place with 2,818 points. The combination won team silver, individual Grand Prix Special and Freestyle bronze medals at Herning last month.

There are few other changes in the Top 10, with Edward Gal (NED) and Glock’s Undercover; Kristina Sprehe (GER) and Desperados FRH; Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfvén (SWE) and Don Auriello; and Isabell Werth (GER) and Don Johnson FRH in fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place respectively.

The biggest move in the latest rankings is that of Dujardin and Valegro’s fellow European bronze-medal winning teammates Carl Hester and Uthopia who have gone from 91st up to 31st place thanks to their Grand Prix Freestyle victory and second place in the Grand Prix on home ground at CDIO3* Hickstead and to their good performances in Herning.

FEI World Dressage Rankings Top 10:

  1. Charlotte DUJARDIN (GBR), VALEGRO 2,915
  2. Helen LANGEHANENBERG (GER), DAMON HILL NRW 2,848
  3. Adelinde CORNELISSEN (NED), JERICH PARZIVAL 2,818
  4. Edward GAL (NED), GLOCK’S UNDERCOVER 2,608
  5. Kristina SPREHE (GER), DESPERADOS FRH 2,454
  6. Tinne VILHELMSSON SILFVÉN (SWE), DON AURIELLO 2,426
  7. Isabell WERTH (GER), DON JOHNSON FRH 2,341
  8. Anna KASPRZAK (DEN), DONNPERIGNON 2,267
  9. Patrick KITTEL (SWE), WATERMILL SCANDIC H.B.C. 2,261
  10. Valentina TRUPPA (ITA), FIXDESIGN EREMO DEL CASTEGNO 2,252

The complete FEI World Dressage Rankings are here.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, FEI

Dujardin Makes It Individual Double Gold with Fabulous Freestyle Victory

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(L to R): Freestyle silver medallist Helen Langehanenberg (GER), gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and bronze medallist Adelinde Cornelissen (NED). Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Herning (DEN), 25 August 2013 – Olympic double gold medallists, Charlotte Dujardin and the wonderful gelding Valegro, produced another magical performance to win Freestyle gold at the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark today.  It has been quite a week for the 28-year-old rider who began by breaking the world record Grand Prix score to help the British to team bronze on Thursday, before coming out the following day to clinch the individual Grand Prix Special title.

The buildup to this afternoon’s Freestyle was an emotional one, and expectation was at an all-time high.  It certainly didn’t disappoint, with quality work from all 15 of the qualified riders and a breath-taking winning ride from Dujardin during which she and her wonderful horse held everyone under their spell.

Holding the Lead

Dujardin’s trainer and mentor, Carl Hester, was holding the lead before the final group took their turn.  His score of 81.696 with his London 2012 Olympic team gold medal winning ride, Uthopia, reflected a test that lacked some of its usual sparkle, but the horse’s amazing trot extensions were still very much in place as he overtook Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak and Donnperignon.

It wasn’t only Danish supporters who had a tear in their eye a little earlier when, during the first break, the horse that has brought so much success to Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, the 16-year-old Digby, was officially retired.

This pair set the target as the first group of riders took their turn when posting a score of 79.554, and would eventually finish in ninth place.  Looking as fresh and well as ever, Digby got a standing ovation from the crowd who waved him and his rider out of the arena for the very last time.  But before they left, zu Sayn-Wittgenstein pointed out, “I’ll be back even though Digby won’t!”  And the rider’s mother, Princess Benedikte of Denmark who bred this wonderful horse, was as tearful as everyone else.

Final Five

The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival were first to go of the final five, and the defending European Freestyle champion, and her horse whose life has been more than a little interesting this year, set a big new target when putting 86.393 on the board.  All Parzival’s trademark bounce and energy seems to be back following his fantastic recovery from treatment for a heart condition, and, earning 9.5 for piaffe amongst his many high scores, he ensured the rest would have to be on their toes.

Edward Gal’s Glock’s Undercover was much more relaxed today than he was in Friday’s Grand Prix Special, and this Dutch duo produced more of their seamless transitions and strong piaffe and passage which earned a mark of 9.1.  But their score of 84.911 left Cornelissen still out in front until Dujardin entered the arena.

The softness of Valegro’s slow and deliberate piaffe, the power of the trot extensions, the athletic quality of the lateral movements and the wonderful passage had everyone enthralled.  Dujardin coordinated every movement with the stirring musical score she used at last summer’s Olympic Games in London.  The precision with which she arrived on queue for each of the pirouettes that were executed to the sound of the ringing of London’s Big Ben was awe-inspiring.  Today’s performance was possibly just as spine-chilling as the one that earned them Freestyle Olympic gold 12 months ago. There was just one significant glitch.  “In the last pirouette I caught him with the spur and it made him jump.  Other than that it was brilliant!” as Dujardin said afterwards.

Germany’s Kristina Sprehe and Desperados FRH were second-last into the ring and posted 81.875 for an impressive test, but the last threat to Dujardin’s dominance lay with reigning Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill from Germany.  Their performance wasn’t perfect and they lost their rhythm toward the very end, but there was some fine work shown for a mark of 87.286 which would be more than good enough for silver, ahead of Cornelissen in bronze.

Fantastic Ride

“I had a fantastic ride today.  A lot was down to the fact that Grandad (Dujardin’s friend and mentor Carl Hester) told me to give Valegro a day off yesterday because it would be good for him so that he would be fresh today – and he was right!  He (Valegro) felt really great when he came out today,” Dujardin said.

Langehanenberg was very happy to be on the podium, having missed out by the narrowest of margins at last summer’s Olympic Games. “In London I was so close to a medal, and here I have succeeded twice,” she said with a big smile. “I had a great feeling again today, and I’m proud of him (Damon Hill).  I made a slight mistake but it is as it is.  It has been a brilliant week and so full of fun!” she added.

Cornelissen said she was “extremely happy.  We came for the team, and to go home with two individual medals is just great!”  Her delight stems as much from the knowledge that her gelding is feeling happy and well again after his ill-heath earlier in the year. “I’m still building him (Jerich Parzival) up, and I have such a fantastic team around me – I owe these medals to them,” she insisted.

Dujardin was asked why she doesn’t wear a top hat like many of the other riders. “I wear a crash hat – I don’t wear a top hat because I had a really bad fall and fractured my skull.  I was knocked out for about ten minutes and I would never take the risk again.  I don’t feel safe in a top hat, and I don’t think it’s an issue that I don’t wear one,” she said.

She did have a top-hat on when coming into the ring for the prize-giving, however, because she borrowed the one that had been sported throughout the day by flamboyant and hugely popular ringmaster, Pedro Cebulka, whose colourful attire makes him something of a legend on the international equestrian circuit.  It was all in the way of fun, something that has permeated the top-class competition enjoyed in all three equestrian disciplines in Herning over the past week.

Talked about Test

The newly-crowned gold medallist talked about her test today. “I’m very, very happy; I didn’t want to risk too much and make a mistake. You don’t want to be frightening your horse; I felt he was with me all the way and that he enjoyed it and we danced our way through it.”  She said she had initially decided to do a new Freestyle for the European Championships but changed her mind about that.  “People at home were wondering why I wasn’t using the Olympic Games music.  I only ever did it three times and everyone loved it so much.  I didn’t want to use it again because I felt it belonged to London 2012, but everyone likes it, including the judges, and it is technically difficult, so I thought I’d do it again,” she explained.

Ground Jury member, Leif Tornblad, said that the progressive excellence of the sport of Dressage has created challenges not only for the competitors, but also for the judges. “Now the challenge is to know that you may see the best you can ever imagine!  It’s not easy for the judges, and we are as excited as the public and the riders! We don’t know the marks that the other judges give; it’s not so easy to be always in unison.  Maybe Charlotte didn’t break a record today but she broke my record – I’ve never given marks as high as that!” he pointed out.

Relief and Satisfaction

There was a sense of relief and satisfaction as this great week of Championship competition drew to a close, and there was a bit of silliness in the air as well.  British rider, Richard Davison, took the opportunity during this evening’s press conference to tease Adelinde Cornelissen about bursting into tears when asked about Jerich Parzival’s health scare following Friday’s Grand Prix Special.  “I have a question for Adelinde,” Davison said. “Can you talk us through how emotional it has been?” But the rider was ready for him, and told the press conference, “He has a bet that I’m going to cry again, but I’m not going to cry!” to which Davison replied, “Well then that’s just cost me ten euro so!”

Langehanenberg was happy too. “The most emotional moment for me was after the Grand Prix (team competition won by Germany) when I just rode in and everyone was clapping and crying – that was perfect and the most emotional moment – it was really special.”

Frank Kempermann, Chairman FEI Dressage Committee, put the ECCO FEI European Championships into perspective.  The entire event was like a piece of carefully-crafted theatre with plenty of drama alongside the best of good sport.  “On behalf of the FEI I’d like to thank the artists – the riders and the horses – and also a big thanks to the organiser and sponsors for giving us all a fantastic time in Denmark,” he said.

Result: Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Freestyle Championship – here.

Facts and Figures:

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin became the first British rider to win European Freestyle gold when victorious on the final day of the Blue Hors European Dressage Championship 2013 today.

It has been a spectacular week for the 28-year-old who took double-gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This week she once again broke the world record in the Grand Prix to help earn team bronze for her country, before clinching individual gold in both Friday’s Grand Prix Special and today’s Freestyle.

A total of 15 riders lined out in today’s Freestyle in which Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW took silver ahead of The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival in bronze medal position.

Digby, the 16-year-old gelding ridden to great success by Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, was officially retired after competing for the very last time in today’s Freestyle at the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships in Herning.

Quotes:

Helen Langehanenberg GER, Freestyle silver medallist: “It has been brilliant fun to be part of these Championships.”

Jens Trabjerg, Event President: “We had 61,500 visitors this week.”

Charlotte Dujardin, Freestyle gold medallist: “The Grand Prix felt amazing.  I can’t say I came here to do as well as I’ve done – I thought I’d try to get as many golds as I could but it has been such a fantastic week!”

British Chef de Mission, Will Connell MBE, talking about the achievements of British riders this week: “Following the successes of London (Olympic Games) was always going to be very challenging, but I think that Herning has demonstrated London was certainly not a flash in the pan. Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects has been the success of those rider/horse combinations that were not in London.”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/ebFqaMesPo8

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142