it was the kind of winning Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle performance you’d expect from a world champion, and Charlotte (Lottie) Fry delivered in a big way at the London International Horse Show Friday on her magical partner, Glamourdale.
The British duo got marks of 10 across the board for music and interpretation of the music, the ride on “Glamourdale Airlines,” to tunes such as “Let’s Fly Away” and realistic-sounding announcements from a flight attendant (Lottie’s voice).
Glamourdale, a 14-year-old pitch black Dutchbred stallion who is light on his feet, secured a percentage of 96.240 in the World Cup Qualifier for the artistic aspect of his dance and 82.04 for the technical side to hit a total of 89.170 percent and get a standing ovation.
“This is one of Glamourdale’s best ever performances,” a thrilled Lottie said after reaching out to her fans as she galloped by on her victory lap.
“He loves the crowd here and the support was just amazing today, Glammie really rises to that. The crowd seemed to love our new freestyle (the music was familiar but the moves were fresh.) The way he felt today was just the most incredible feeling.”
Lottie and Glammie. (FEI Photo)
Lottie also won Thursday’s Grand Prix. But her compatriot Charlotte Dujardin, second in the Grand prix with Alive and Kicking, had a few mishaps in the freestyle to wind up fifth.
Charlotte Dujardin with Alive and Kicking.
The entrance portion of Charlotte’s ride was marred by a break in the piaffe, and piaffe problems came again at the very end of her ride. That left her on 79.230 percent.
The void was filled by another British rider, Lottie’s Olympic teammate Becky Moody on her homebred star, Jagerbomb. Their new festive freestyle was a perfect fit with the holiday mood of the show. The music was all Christmas favorite tunes. Not carols, but bright numbers including “Sleigh Ride” (complete with vocal); “All I want for Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”
The energy of the music was matched by Jagerbomb’s strong delivery, with the 11-year-old Dutchbred’s rhythm and elasticity getting marks from 8.5 to 9, but there was no question about the harmony between horse and rider. On that, they got marks of 9 from every judge except one, who awarded the duo 9.5.
“We tried to have a little bit of fun with the music,” said Becky.
“It was really cool. I’m incredibly lucky to have such a phenomenal horse, he has a heart of gold.”
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb. (FEI Photo)
Her total of 86.410 percent was more than respectable. It edged third-place Isabel Freese of Norway by a good bit, as she delivered a ride marked at 81.695 percent on Total Hope, a son of the legendary Totilas.
It’s interesting to see how far dressage has come since Totilas’ heyday 15 years or so ago. Many horses now exhibit a style that seems more natural and well-balanced, as opposed to relying on getting points with a blatantly manufactured showy front end. The eyes on dressage since the advent of social license to operate also have encourage a kinder approach to training.
A case in point is the current world number one, Zonik Plus, who is competing this weekend in Frankfurt in the world top 12 competition. Belgian rider Justin Verboomen took his time with the Hanoverian stallion (another black superstar) he bought as a coming three-year-old and patient training paid off, He won the Grand Prix at the German show with a score of 81.587 percent.
In case you’re wondering, there were no U.S. riders either in London or Frankfurt. They’re in Florida, where the season soon will start in earnest.
Click here for London results
