Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep set the ExCeL alight on day two of the London International Horse Show as they took the victory in the FEI Dressage World CupTM Freestyle to Music presented by Bret Willson Dressage International Ltd supported by Horse & Hound. The International Arena also saw action from the Extreme Driving supported by Karen and Hugh Scott-Barrett and the Yeti Under-25 British Show Jumping Championship.
Meanwhile, in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, Showing kicked off with highlights coming from the Rising Star of Cob Type Championship, and the Rising Star of Hunter Type Championship. Spectators were also treated to the first of the LeMieux Masterclass series; ‘Dressage Unwrapped’ featuring FEI Eventing World Champion, Yasmin Ingham, Richard Davison, and Gareth and Ruby Hughes.
Tomorrow will welcome the return of the 5* Show Jumping with the Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes and the Champagne-Tattinger Ivy Stakes, as well as the ever-popular LeMieux Puissance.
FABULOUS FREESTYLE
The pinnacle class of Thursday’s schedule came from the FEI Dressage World CupTM Freestyle to Music presented by Bret Willson Dressage International Ltd and supported by Horse & Hound, which saw a packed International Arena wowed by perfect piaffes and exceptional extensions.
Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and the 10-year-old chestnut stallion Imhotep followed up on their Grand Prix victory from last night, and produced a breathtakingly beautiful performance to the sheer delight of the home crowd to take the win with a score of 89.465%.
It was once again a British top three, with double FEI World Championship gold medallist Lottie Fry claiming the runner-up spot. Fry, who was last to go in the competition with the stunning black stallion Everdale took to the arena with a brand new Freestyle routine that featured numerous highlights including their phenomenal final line. It was a father-son one-two, with the sucess of Everdale, the sire of Charlotte’s Imhotep, proving the strength of this bloodline.
Third place went to Becky Moody and her homebred Jagerbomb with a score of 83.675%. The combination were not only making their debut at the Show, but also in the FEI World CupTM Qualifier Series. The highest placed international rider was Denise Nekeman, who scored a personal best of 77.035% to claim the fourth spot.
Speaking on her win, Dujardin stated:“This was Imhotep’s first indoor show and it was a full house tonight, you could hear the crowd in the warm-up which was really incredible. I was so proud of him, he has never been in that kind of atmosphere before, and so it was a great learning experience for him Even though he was nervous, he was still with me which is all I can ask for. He is still a young horse and has so much more to give, I am very excited for what is to come next year!”
Third placed, Moody continued: “You dream about riding at this Show. It is somewhere that we all aspire to compete at. I was incredibly nervous in the build up and my horse is a legend. Being on the podium with Lottie Fry and Charlotte Dujardin is amazing. They both inspire me on a daily basis. They are incredible role models, and it is incredible being sat next to them. But I do have every intention of beating them in the future!”
