Lottie Fry and Glamourdale triumphed in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix supported by Horse & Hound, eventually heading an all-British 1-2-3 after a strong performance from compatriot Charlotte Dujardin placed her in the lead for the majority of today’s competition.
Elsewhere on the opening day of London International Horse Show, spoils in the first CSI5* jumping classes of the week went to Victor Bettendorf, (LUX) and Rachel Proudley (GBR).
Lottie Fry and the 14-year-old KWPN stallion Glamourdale proved the combination to beat in the opening round of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ (Grand Prix) supported by Horse & Hound, recording an impressive score of 80.78% to win the 15-strong class.
The pair produced a spectacular test to take victory and head an all-British podium, much to the delight of a passionate home crowd. A well-contended first round of London’s qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ saw strong competition from both home and abroad, with Charlotte Dujardin – second to go – holding the lead for much of the class.
Dujardin eventually piloted the 11-year-old Westphalian mare Alive and Kicking into the runner-up position on a mark of 76.54%, while last year’s winners Becky Moody and Jagerbomb scored 75.04% to finish third.
“It’s very exciting to get in the arena again, because it’s been a while since the Europeans so I really wanted to see where we’re at after a bit of training and a bit of holiday,” said winner Lottie Fry.
“The main thing for me is that we went in there fresh. He absolutely loved doing it and he really wants to show off. I really enjoyed every moment of it and so did he and it was just the most incredible feeling. He took me round it and I couldn’t be happier.
“We’ve just been working so much on that harmony, that lightness, and I’m just so happy it all paid off today because he felt absolutely incredible and he really delivered and he loves the British crowd.”
Today’s class was the most high profile competition Charlotte Dujardin has participated in since her return from an FEI suspension at the end of July.
“I’m absolutely overwhelmed, to be perfectly honest,” said Charlotte.
“Audrey [Alive and Kicking] has done one show this year, which was in Le Mans, she’s never been in a show with this atmosphere, this big. There’s so much going on. She’s a very inexperienced Grand Prix horse. I think she’s only done five Grands Prix prior to this so it was a really big ask coming here but I know she’s a very honest horse.
“Going back in that arena, there’s something so special about riding here. Going around the edge and having so many people cheer me on and shout out, “Go Charlotte,” it was very, very emotional and just so good. It gave me a real buzz to be back.”
Show Ambassador Becky Moody was pleased with her third-placed performance aboard her Olympic bronze medal-winning partner Jagerbomb as the pair suffered a disrupted warm up.
“We didn’t have the best prep because he pulled a shoe off about 15 minutes before I was due to go in. That meant that I had about three minutes after that was put back on so it wasn’t our finest test, but there were some really good bits and lots to work on for tomorrow, which is the main thing,” said Becky.
Bettendorf Sparkles In CSI5* Champagne Taittinger Stakes
London International first-time attendee Victor Bettendorf (LUX), riding eleven-year-old bay mare Encore Toi du Linon, won the CSI5* Champagne Taittinger Speed Stakes in a clear round almost two seconds faster than second placed Jos Verlooy (BEL) with Great Britain’s Jack Whitaker snapping at their heels in third.
French-based Victor said afterwards, “I wanted to win the class; I saw Sanne’s [Thijssen (NED)] round and then Jack’s [Whitaker] and knew I should keep the rhythm. The mare is always competitive but is sensitive and needs to trust me. I have ridden her for nearly three years. To win a class here is a huge deal, I have known this show since I was a child and always wanted to ride here. I have made my father (a veterinarian, rider and breeder) very proud as he always wanted to ride at London too.”
Second place Jos Verooy (BEL) riding Parise Van Den Dael said of his first competition of the Show, “This is great preparation for the big classes here. I will probably jump in the CSI5* Cavago Six Bar on Saturday and the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria [on Sunday]”
Third placed Jack Whitaker said, “Valmy (Valmy De La Lande) kicked off the week in a super way! Delighted to be 3rd in the first class of the weekend. He jumped fantastic as always and felt great to have him back out at one of our favourite home shows of the year! It’s a big week for us British riders so I’m looking forward to the rest of the show!”
LeMieux Puissance Easy For Proudley
Britain’s Rachel Proudley and Easy Boy de Laubry Z were the only combination to clear the final round of the 2025 LeMieux Puissance – when the wall was set at a huge 2.21m (7’3”) – to successfully defend their LeMieux Puissance title.
Rachel, now 20, and Graham Ward’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood put in a composed and impressive performance across the five rounds of competition to win the class to the delight of a packed home crowd.
“He is so brave and I can trust him. However, the first few rounds he was a little too brave, but his best round was the fifth round when he really listened to me,” said Rachel.
“When you are jumping the wall on a horse like Easy Boy – it is an amazing feeling, I never worry. Tonight was the biggest we have jumped and maybe the sky is the limit!
“Going into the arena can be nerve-wracking but he is such an amazing horse it feels so easy. The wall comes up so quickly and then you hear the roar of the crowd as you land, and you hear them standing on their feet and clapping – it’s fantastic.”
The talented Easy Boy de Laubry Z, a stalwart of Puissance competitions in the last year or so, hunts regularly with the Hurworth as whipper-in, and has also led the hound parade at the Royal Yorkshire Show.
Occupying the runner-up position was Britain’s Nathan Bull and Casaltonia, a nine-year-old Olderburg mare, who were unlucky to fall on landing after clearing the penultimate height and then withdrew from the final round.
“After the fall I am glad that Casaltonia is OK,” said Nathan.
“We pecked on landing and she lost her footing and I went over the handle bars. I have done three Puissances and every time she has just got better and better so I am delighted with her performance.”
Ireland’s Derek McCoppin on Explosief’s Legacy and his compatriot Andrew Hodgins riding Shanaclough Luichew shared third place.
Thirteen pairs contested the class including previous winner Joseph Trunkfield who finished fifth with Locomotion.
Schedule and results here.
Livestream here.
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