Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

LONDON, Dec. 17, 2019–Charlotte Dujardin rode Mount St. John Freestyle to near a personal best score to win the Olympia World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Tuesday night and move closer to a start at the Final in Las Vegas in April.

Charlotte and the 10-year-old Hanoverian mare scored 87.520% –just 0.80% off the British pair’s best set in July–dancing to the music from “Frozen” before a crowd jampacked into the century-old Olympia.

Carl Hester on Hawtins Delicato posted a personal best of 84.470%, putting behind him a disappointing result at the European Championships earlier this year. The pair’s previous best was 76.825% in Windsor this year.

Charlotte Fry, the 23-year-old rider, and Everdale completed the British sweep of the top three places, also with a personal best 82.260% in only the pair’s second senior musical performance.

The win by Charlotte and Freestyle was the second World Cup victory this season–and only the duo’s second indoor–in their campaign to return to Las Vegas where the rider on Valegro won the Final in 2015, a year after capturing their first title.

“This was her third ever freestyle,” Charlotte said. “The crowd felt even closer than last night and it was quite a difficult floor plan. She really tried and listened to me. I couldn’t ask for more. I’ve had my highs and lows this year and it is great to end the year with such a positive ride.”

Carl Hester was disappointed with his performance on Monday, but after the musical performance said: “What a difference a day makes. I have a big smile today. [Hawtins Delicato]’s last freestyle was at the European Championships this summer, where he had a meltdown. What a way to finish the season.”

Under-25 European Champion Lottie Fry, who rode to music she received just a week ago, was still pinching herself after Monday’s third place. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet and it won’t sink in for quite a while,” she said. “We trained hard in the lead up to Olympia and everything fell into place. I dare to dream that next year will be an exciting year.”

Germany’s Frederic Wandres on Duke of Britain, the winner of the Freestyle here a year ago, placed fourth on 82.550%–another best result–that vaulted the pair to the top of the Western European League standings.

Results:

CDI-W World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle