{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

‘It’s the best feeling when you hear the crowd – I’ve missed it’: Charlotte Dujardin on her London freestyle win

Pippa Roome Pippa Roome

    • Charlotte Dujardin described her win in the London Horse Show dressage freestyle, supported by Horse & Hound, as “the perfect Christmas present” as she rounded out an incredible year with Gio.

    The British rider was emotional as she spoke about riding in front of a full crowd again after some months of limited spectators due to Covid-19.

    “There’s nothing more exciting than going into an arena with a huge crowd behind you,” she said. “I’d forgotten what it’s actually like to hear that buzz. It’s the best feeling when you stop and hear the crowd – I’ve missed it so much.

    “Gio has never experienced anything like that, never been in that sort of environment with those vibes. So I can’t tell you how proud I am of him. He’s done amazing this year, his first Olympics, his first Europeans, and then to finish the year like this. He’s come on so quickly.

    “You can’t make those atmospheres [to practice in] and he definitely proved what sort of horse he is because he took it on like a real showman.”

    Charlotte said she was “over the moon” with Gio’s test.

    “There was one little blip in my changes, but that’s probably more me than him. I’m absolutely thrilled,” she said after her win in the London Horse Show dressage freestyle on Sarah Pidgley’s 10-year-old chestnut.

    “I can’t ask for any more from him because he’s achieved a lot. I’m so proud of my horse and my team, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without everyone behind me. Alan [Davies], my groom, he’s just the best.”

    You might also be interested in:

    Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    Pippa Roome
    Pippa Roome

    H&H magazine editor and eventing editor
    Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
    Pippa Roome

    You may like...