It was a British one, two, three in the International FEI Dressage Grand Prix supported by Horse & Hound at Royal Windsor Horse Show. British maestro Carl Hester led the winning trio, taking a comfortable first place with Barolo, a compact chestnut Hanoverian, standing barely more than 16hh, almost 8 inches shorter than Carl’s last Windsor winner, Nip Tuck in 2015. It was a first competitive outing for Carl and Barolo, who has been ridden to date by joint owner Charlotte Dujardin. Carl and Barolo gained over 74% in the 12 string class.
“He was bought by his other owner Anne Seifert-Cohn as a six-year-old and has been a bit of a project for us,” said Carl. “He got to the level quickly as he is smart, but needed time to strengthen up. I wasn’t sure whether doing my first test on him at Windsor was brave or stupid, but he did some lovely work out there tonight.”
Gloucestershire based Hayley Watson-Greaves produced an expressive test from her black gelding Rubins Nite to stand second. “He loves the atmosphere here and really rises to the occasion,” said Hayley. The pair, who have just come back from Hagen, now head to Compiègne as part of the British Nations Cup team.
Third placed Gareth Hughes and Don Carissimo also had a good prep for Compiègne taking third place in only their second outdoor Grand Prix. The Don Crusador gelding came to Gareth last August and this is the 12-year-old’s first season at the level. “He tries his heart out and never lets you down, even when he has a shock like he did tonight when going into that arena and he saw the screen,” said Gareth.
It was also a first competitive Grand Prix in the UK for New Zealand’s leading rider Wendi Williams and her own De Niro gelding Deja Vu MH. The pair are staying for a few months, having travelled back with the European horses from the World Cup in Omaha, where they suffered a massive disappointment having to be disqualified after Deja Vu MH bit his tongue. “This is an amazing Show and that was quite an electric atmosphere out there,” said Wendi who acquired the New Zealand bred gelding as a foal. “I am really looking forward to tomorrow night, it’s a fantastic opportunity to finally ride our freestyle.