The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and nine-year-old wonder horse Moorlands Totilas didn’t disappoint at the Olympia Horse Show World Cup Dressage Qualifier, breaking the freestyle world record with 92.3%.
“It felt so good, it’s not so easy to put into words how amazing he felt to ride tonight,” said Edward, who last broke the record at Windsor Europeans in August.
Judge Stephen Clarke added: “Everyone thought we were lucky to witness the dressage that we did at Windsor; they thought we might never see something that amazing again, and yet tonight we’ve seen even better.”
The one-time changes that have featured mistakes in the past were no problem for the black stallion, who has no weakness in any area of the grand prix work.
Compatriot Adelinde Cornelissen was about 10% behind riding last year’s winner Parzival, who was spookier in the arena than he has been for some time. Adelinde held it together but a few uncharacteristic mistakes crept in.
“In the grand prix he was pretty good, but he was just tense when I got in tonight,” she explained.
British favourite Carl Hester improved 5% on his Windsor Europeans score with Donald Mactaggart’s Liebling for third place and plus-78%. He squeezed every last mark out of the willing Liebling.
“He was a little tired tonight, last night’s grand prix was the best ride I’ve ever had on him,” said Carl. “But he was still so correct and I really enjoyed riding here.”
For full report and pictures don’t miss Horse & Hound 24 December issue.
Watch Edward Gal and Moorland Totilas Olympia kur
Listen to Edward Gal’s interview
Listen to Carl Hester’s interview
Listen to Laura Bechtolsheimer’s interview
Results
1, Moorlands Totilas (Edward Gal) NED 92.30%
2, Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) NED 82.05%
3, Liebling 11 (Carl Hester) GBR 78.45%
4, Andretti H (Laura Bectolsheimer) GBR 77.35%
5, Hiscox Artemis (Richard Davison) GBR 75.15%
6, Cadillac (Catherine Haddad) USA 73.60%
7, Apollo van het Vijverhof (Jeroen Devroe) BEL 72.25%
8, Ovation (Christa Larakkers) NED 72.20%
9, Louis d’Or (Henriette Andersen) GBR 70.20%
10, Mr President (Stephanie Croxford) GBR 69.70%
11, Whitni Star (Marc Boblet) FRA 69.65%
12, Fitzcerraldo (Judith Harvey) GBR 69.00%
13, Exquis Clearwater (Anne Van Olst) DEN 67.85%.
