It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time for Charlotte Dujardin before Valegro, medal podiums, champagne and Union Flags. And to celebrate her 38th birthday today (13 July 2023) we’ve dug deep into the archives to take a look back at some of her career highlights so far.
Charlotte Dujardin’s career in pictures
1. The early showing days riding Ardenhall Royal Secret, who was put down in 2018
2. Charlotte and Weltpower at Addington in 2008
3. Charlotte looks focused on board Duchess II at Hartpury
4. Charlotte riding Winston Bond
5. A sight from the past: Charlotte wearing a top hat aboard Fernandez
6. Charlotte and Don Archie
7. Florentina as a youngster
8. Valegro at the British Young Horse and Breeding Championships, September 2008
9. The early days: Charlotte and Valegro
10. Valegro demonstrating his incredible off the floor canter
11. The power duo: Carl Hester and Charlotte (not forgetting Valegro of course!)
12. Then Team GBR chef d’equipe Richard Waygood escorts the famous pair into the arena at the European dressage championships in Rotterdam, 2011
13. At home: Valegro shows off his Olympia rug
14. Valegro enjoys some downtime in the field
15. The golden moment: Charlotte and Valegro at London 2012
16. London 2012: the famous pair head to the arena
17. When Charlotte lost a bet with H&H photographer Kevin Sparrow at the national championships, her forfeit was that she had to get in the hot tub fully clothed. At least there was champagne to compensate…
18. Charlotte accompanies Carl and Uthopia at the FEI Nations Cup Dressage at Hickstead in 2013
19. Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia at home in Gloucestershire
20. Charlotte with Valegro’s owner Roly Luard after receiving the horse of the year award given to Valegro by the British Equestrian Writers Association at their annual lunch at Olympia in 2013
21. Charlotte riding Valegro at Olympia in 2013 after setting another world record (93.975%)
22. Ditching the dressage arena: Charlotte riding Libby Towers’ working hunter, Harley Foxtrot at Paunceford Court near Ledbury in Herefordshire, 2014
23. In high demand: Charlotte gives her autograph at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, 2014
24. Valegro enjoys a victory lap in the D’Ornano Stadium in Caen, Normandy at the 2014 World Equestrian Games
25. What a backdrop: Charlotte and Uthopia at the 2014 Royal Windsor Horse Show
26. Charlotte celebrates in Las Vegas after successfully defending her Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage title in April 2015
27. Centre stage: Dujardin and Valegro at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage final in Las Vegas 2015
28. Charlotte takes to the sofa on the BBC’s Clare Balding Show, with Victoria Pendleton and AP McCoy in April 2015
29. Charlotte and Mount St John Top Secret
30. Charlotte and Barolo on their way to a winning performance at Hartpury, 2015
31. Charlotte receives a rocking horse replica of Valegro for Christmas 2016
32. Charlotte and Valegro on their way to Olympic glory in Rio
33. Charlotte Dujardin pops River Rise Escala over a log on the cross-country course at Somerford Park
34. Charlotte Dujardin rides Gio, aka Pumpkin, to win his first grand prix test in January 2020
35. Charlotte and Mount St John Freestyle en-route to winning the freestyle at Olympia in 2019
36. Charlotte and her Tokyo Olympic ride Gio at Wellington CDI in 2021
37. Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep competing in the grand prix at the World Championships in Herning 2022
38. Charlotte Dujardin at home with her double Olympic champion Valegro, aka Blueberry, and baby Isabella in 2023
You may also be interested in…
Charlotte Dujardin on how motherhood has changed her outlook as a competitor – ‘it’s really opened my eyes’
‘A real one for Paris’: Aachen grand prix result boosts Charlotte Dujardin’s Olympic hopes
From foal to Olympic champion: celebrating Valegro’s stellar career on his 21st birthday
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