Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro set a new world record with a faultless performance last night (17 December) to win the Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage freestyle at Olympia London International Horse Show.
H&H were behind the scenes and caught up with Charlotte, Edward Gal, Carl Hester and British Olympia first-timer Lara Griffith straight after their tests.
Charlotte said: “It was absolutely incredible. It was such an amazing feeling, with that atmosphere as well and being in front of a home crowd.”
When asked what was key to achieving that elusive record score, Charlotte said: “I think just not making any mistakes. Mistakes are what pull your marks down. He was on great form. He went in there and knew it was a full house and he wanted to perform.
“He has a heart of gold. He goes in there and tries his very best. He goes in there to deliver. He doesn’t go in there and let you down. As a rider it gives you so much confidence to know you can go in there and ride to your very best. You don’t have to be careful. It’s amazing to have that. It’s very, very special.”
Second placed Edward Gal said: “I was really glad with Glock’s Undercover. Last year he was really freaked out here and now he’s so much better. I can start riding him more. With this kind of atmosphere, when they are good here, they are good everywhere.
“It’s so nice to ride here every time. The people are so nice and the atmosphere is good and with Christmas of course, it’s always very nice to be here [at Olympia].”
Olympia first-timer Lara Griffith said: “That was absolutely phenomenal. I didn’t ever dream it would be that amazing. The buzz you get when you go in and it makes you feel on top of the world.”
If you enjoyed this, watch our exclusive video interview with Laura Tomlinson talking about retiring Mistral Hojris (below).
Laura Tomlinson retires Mistral Hojris: video and pictures
Watch our exclusive video interview with Laura Tomlinson from the London International Horse Show at Olympia
