Revolution Sports – Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and her magnificent Valegro reigned supreme at the Stade D’Ornano in front of a packed crowd, taking her second Gold medal of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, winning the Freestyle Grand Prix with a score of 92.161%. This now makes Dujardin the current Olympic, World Champion and European Champion holder – a feat never held before in dressage.
“I always knew it was possible [to achieve what I have achieved this week] – he is such a fantastic horse,” said Dujardin. “Coming here he felt on top form and with the Grand Prix and the Special that I had, those rides were incredible, probably the best I have ever had. Then coming in here today, I just thought “you know what, I love the music – its where I can have fun”. It was only my third time riding that music and he just felt absolutely fantastic. I’ve only had one bad ride with him in eight years, that was at Aachen, he is just one in a million. [Being current Olympic, European and now World Champion] just feels so surreal. After London I never thought it could get better then there was the Europeans and then I was looking forward to coming here to my first World Equestrian Games and to come away with two Gold and a Team Silver – I just can’t believe it!”
Helen Langehanenberg riding Damon Hill NRW went into the stadium before Dujardin and rode a stunning test with a superb score of 88.286%. Dujardin followed straight after and knew she had to pull everything out, which she did.
Last to go in the class of the 15 competitors was the experienced Adelinde Cornelissen, riding her 17-year-old Jerich Parzival N.O.P, who was thrilled with her test, riding a Bronze medal winning score of 85.714%.
The Freestyle Grand Prix concludes a magnificent week for Dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Dujardin and the young all-female German riders dominating the three competitions.
Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth wins Gold with Team Germany
Earlier in the week on Tuesday 26 August, Isabell Werth took her seventh Gold medal for Germany in the Team Dressage riding her mare Bella Rose 2, with a fantastic test and score of 81.529. Werth was t hird to go for Germany and her brilliant ride helped secure Germany their 11th Dressage gold medal success since the team competition was introduced into the World Championship programme in 1996. Great Britain took the Silver medal and defending champions The Netherlands took Bronze.
By finishing on the podium, all three nations have now qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Talking of the all-female Germany team, Isabell Werth said, “It’s one of the strongest teams we have ever had for Germany. Being drawn first wasn’t good, but in 25 years of these championships, we’ve never been drawn first, but it was bound to happen at some point. Bella Rose is a ‘diamond’ – it was clear from the beginning she was special by her charisma and attitude. She has become a diamond. I’ve been lucky enough in my career to have two other diamonds – Gigolo and Satchmo.”
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