Charlotte Dujardin Sells Gio, Olympic & European Championship Mount, to Annabella Pidgley, British Junior Rider
3 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Charlotte Dujardin Sells Gio, Olympic & European Championship Mount, to Annabella Pidgley, British Junior Rider
Oct. 25, 2021
Charlotte Dujardin has sold Gio, her Olympic and European Championship mount and No. 3 in world, to Annabella Pidgley, 16-year-old British Junior rider.
“It’s with bittersweet emotions that I can tell you that the wonderful Pumpkin is now owned by Junior rider, Annabella Pidgley,” Charlotte said on her Facebook page Monday.
“As many of you know who own horses, run yards and compete, this is certainly not a sport for the faint hearted and comes with many highs and many lows; horses being the incredible levellers that they are.
“In order to maintain a position in sport, especially in high level sport, at times, these difficult decisions need to be made. I am so thankful that I do not have to do this regularly, as it is always such a hard thing to let go of animals that we see as our family.
“The wonderful thing about this, is Pumpkin will continue his journey under the British flag with a rider and family who I have known for many years. Annabella is one of the most promising riders in our country, and works so hard to develop herself and her horses, whilst giving them nothing but five star care. I will train the pairing, so I am delighted that our precious Pumpkin will stay in my life and I will still see him on a regular basis.
“Annabella has had an incredible season this year, achieving Britain’s first individual medals at the Junior European Championship level and having taken some time to see her ride Pumpkin and fall for him as much as we have, I know a wonderful new chapter awaits him. I hope you will continue to support this beloved horse and I look forward to all that comes next for him.”
Charlotte in a partnership with Renai Hart, a New Zealand friend, bought Gio when the KWPN gelding was in a master class she gave in Los Angeles five years ago. Carl Hester, Charlotte’s coach and mentor was added as an owner this year.
She rode Gio, now 10 years old, instead of Mount St. John Freestyle, at the Tokyo Olympics in July to help Great Britain earn team bronze and the pair took individual bronze for their freestyle result.
The pair went on to claim team silver and Grand Prix Freestyle bronze at the European Championships less than two months later.
Annabella competed in three European pony championships and the European Junior Championships this year riding Sultan des Paluds FRH to freestyle gold and individual silver.
