GAL AND TOTILAS WIN THE SPECIAL IN STYLE – CAN THEY MAKE IT A HAT-TRICK OF GOLD? by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 29 September – The sensational partnership of Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas made Dutch dressage history today when becoming the first combination from The Netherlands to win the World Championship Grand Prix Special title at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.  But this extraordinary pair is also on the brink of adding another record to the list they just keep on compiling.  If they can add Friday’s Freestyle to their haul, then they will become the first partnership ever to take both titles, and on present form they look well-set for a hat-trick of gold after yesterday’s team victory.

Silver medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer set a new British record when beating the score she set at the Alltech FEI European Championships in Windsor (GBR) last summer, while Steffen Peters and Ravel took bronze for the USA.  Peters was emotional afterwards.  “I’ve been counting the days and hours since I missed that bronze medal in Hong Kong (Beijing 2008 Olympic Games),” he pointed out, “so this means a lot to me.  I can’t believe how lucky I am, what he (Ravel) did for me today was unbelievable.” And Bechtolsheimer also became the first British rider ever to take World Championship silver in the Special.  The previous best British result was bronze for Jennie-Loriston Clarke and Dutch Courage back in 1978 at Goodwood (GBR).

Continue reading Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 5 Dressage Grand Prix Special →