Carl Hester wins grand prix freestyle at national dressage championships

Hester does it again, winning his 66th national dressage championship title riding Fine Time to victory in the grand prix kur

Carl Hester won his 66th national championship title riding Fine Time to a 76.65% grand prix freestyle victory at Stoneleigh, Warks, (22 September).

Having had a fantastic ride at Hickstead international in July on the stallion, Carl felt he was coming into his own and had high hopes for him at these championships.

Carl said: “I so enjoyed riding the test. We’ve been working on the horse’s ‘go’ and, where he was a bit too hot yesterday, today he had the right amount of power. He’s really enjoying himself and I love riding him.”

Watch part of Carl’s test here:

Anders Dahl was 2nd riding his partner Fiona Bigwood’s Wie Atlantico, and Lara Griffith 3rd with the Bechtolsheimers’ Andretti H in this her 1st year of grand prix.

To read a full report, analysis and see images from the national dressage championships, don’t miss Horse & Hound’s next issue, out 26 September.

Sarah Jenkins

H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has more than 20 years experience as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from major championships including the Europeans and the World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on equestrianism including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university.