DUJARDIN SETS NEW OLYMPIC RECORD

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro smashed their record at the last Olympics by nearly 4 percentage points to finish on a 93.85 percent.

–  Today was really, really magical. Going into the 2012 London Olympic Games, I had no pressure or expectation to deliver individual gold. Coming here today I really did feel nervous for the first time before coming in. I thought I felt that pressure and the expectation to deliver today to retain the gold from London. When I got into the arena and trotted around the outside Valegro gave me the most incredible feeling. That put a smile on my face, and I knew it would be OK, said Charlotte after the ride.

Two judges awarded the pair a 99 percent on her artistic marks—while her overall artistic average peaked at 97.71 percent, with a test they’ve only performed once before, set to samba-themed music. Her test featured a high level of difficulty, which she executed nearly flawlessly, with piaffe pirouettes and extended canter down centerline to canter pirouettes. “I’ve only ridden that floorplan once, at Hartpury and we’ve changed it a few times since. There were things I hadn’t even tried before today and that’s why he is so magical,” she said…

 

The rider had another special moment in Rio: During the award ceremony, her longtime boyfriend Dean Golding asked her to marry him… What a day for Dujardin.

Germany’s Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD put in an overall fluid performance. Werth’s mark of 89.07 percent moved her and her into silver medal position. Kristina Bröring-Sprehe and Desperados received individual bronze.

Therese Stub Alhaug

Editor

Therese is the editor of Equilife, and is truly dedicated to equestrian sports and horses. She started riding as a little girl, and enjoys her free time with her two horses back home. Portrait interview is her favorite topic, as it has the gift to inspire others through peoples stories, knowledge, training and general life-philosophy, and certainly, their lives with horses.

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.