It was the second day in a row of a 1-2-3 finish for British dressage riders at the London International Horse Show, but this time, it was set to music.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep dominated on Thursday in the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle as they had in the Grand Prix, with the 10-year-old gelding showing controlled power and mature consistency in his first indoor show.
He was marked at 89.465 percent in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the ExCel (Exhibition Centre London), with a high score of 98.600 for the artistic part of the performance. Her lowest artistic mark was 94 (something almost anyone else could only dream of), which puts a number on why the fans were enraptured by her ride.
She got 10s from four of the five judges for the music and her interpretation of it. Charlotte also received three 10s for choreography, one 10 for harmony and another for her canter pirouette right, as well as degree of difficulty.
Charlotte and Imhotep thrilled the crowd at ExCel with their freestyle.
World Champion Lottie Fry was a comfortable distance behind in second place with 85.040 percent on Everdale, who is Imhotep’s sire and wasn’t the rider’s world championship mount.
She did not score lower than a 9 for choreography, degree of difficulty and music (which included French lyrics). But a 5.5 and two 6.5s for collected walk brought her score down a bit.
Lottie Fry and Everdale.
Her experience in the electric arena was “incredible and like no where else,” said Lottie.
“I think this was one of my favorite tests I have ridden. With this new music, it was amazing to ride, and Everdale was just brilliant tonight.”
Becky Moody rode the 9-year-old Jagerbomb to a total of 83.675 percent in her first international freestyle with her homebred gelding by Dante Weltino OLD.
He was full of pizzaz and couldn’t stop bouncing through the awards ceremony as the third-place winner threw in some extra-curricular piaffing. Like Charlotte, Becky is a product of Carl Hester’s supervision.
Charlotte was thrilled to appear again at one of her favorite shows, nine months after giving birth to Isabella Rose.
“It was so sad to miss last year,” she said of the 2022 edition of the show, “but obviously, I was pregnant so there wasn’t anything I could do. But to be back here this year riding makes me feel so proud to be British. To be able to ride in front of a home crowd, I know many of you can’t get to see us when we go abroad…all the competitors, it’s our dream to ride here and I am absolutely over the moon with this horse. To perform what he has tonight and yesterday, I couldn’t ask any more.”
She added about Imhotep, better known around the barn as Pete, “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.”
A line of two-tempis that melded seamlessly into one-tempis and passage half-pass added sparkle to the ride, the type of touches that Charlotte executes so well. It will be interesting to see how this partnership progresses toward the 2024 Olympics.
“Paris next year, it couldn’t be more exciting,” said Charlotte, who spoke with pride of the team winning gold earlier this year at the European Championships as she reviewed her marvelous year.
The podium for the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle in London was all about Britain.
“Incredibly proud moment,” she said before the prize-giving.
“What an honor it is to be British. I can’t thank Carl enough for everything he’s done for me and put me where I am today,” she continued. Carl also is half owner of Pete with Coral Ingham.
“It’s so emotional to think what I’ve achieved this year. I really didn’t think I’d be riding. It’s been fantastic, it’s been the best year ever.”
Becky agreed with Charlotte about the importance of the London International, which many still call Olympia after its former home.
Jagerbomb gets a pat of appreciation from rider Becky Moody.
“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. 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,” she promised.
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