Tag Archives: Charlotte Dujardin

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Talk of Tokyo Part 2: All you need to know about the British Dressage Team

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With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, Horse Scout journalist Ellie Kelly takes a look at the recently selected British Dressage team that will be going for gold this summer.

The Team for Tokyo:


Charlotte Dujardin (35) based in Newent, Gloucestershire with Renai Hart, Carl Hester and her own Gio (chestnut, gelding, 10yrs, Apache x Tango.)

Breeders: H J de Jong, A Valk NED, Groom: Alan Davies.


Charlotte (Lottie) Fry (25) based in Den Hout, the Netherlands (from Scarborough, North Yorkshire) with Van Olst Horses and her own Everdale (black stallion, 17.2hh, 12yrs, Lord Leatherdale x Negro.)

Breeder: P Kluytmans NED, Groom: Steven Caley.


Carl Hester (53) based in Newent, Gloucestershire (from Sark, The Channel Islands) with Sandra Biddlecombe, Charlotte Dujardin, Lady Anne Evans and his own En Vogue (darkbay, gelding, 12yrs, 17hh, Jazz x Contango.)

Breeder: A Van der Goor NED, Groom: Lucy Scudamore.

Travelling reserve


Gareth Hughes (50) based in Southam, Warwickshire with Judy Firmston-Williams and his own Sintano Van Hof Olympia (bay, gelding, 16.3hh, 11yrs, Sandro Hit x Silvano.)

Breeder: Hof Olympia NED, Groom: Steph Sharples.

talk of tokyo

Dressage Facts

● Tokyo will be Carl Hester’s sixth Olympics.

● Both Charlotte’s have been trained by Carl. Lottie Fry started training with Carl at the age of 14.

● Carl was born on the tiny Channel island of Sark, where no cars existed at the time. Transport was by horse or donkey. He started his equestrian career by learning to ride on a donkey and then helping with the local horse-drawn taxi business in his childhood.

● Carl’s Tokyo Olympic ride En Vogue is part owned by Charlotte Dujardin and she produced and competed it until 18 months ago.

● En Vogue lives out in the field most of the time which helps his slightly hot
temperament.

● Lottie Fry attributes her talent and her inspiration to her mother. She is the daughter of the late Laura Fry who competed on the British Team winning silver at the Europeans Championships and was part of the team at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 but sadly passed away in 2012.

● Lottie moved to Holland in 2014 when she was just 16 years old and has been based there ever since. She was introduced to Anne van Olst by Carl and it is with the Van Olst horses that Lottie has had great success. Anne owns her Olympic horse, Everdale and trains the pair most days.

● Lottie who is ranked 35th in the world, made her senior debut for the British team less than two years ago.

● Charlotte Dujardin is the most successful British rider in dressage history. She has won every major title possible including three gold and one silver Olympic medals, as well as two golds won at the World Equestrian Games. She holds all three world records in the sport and is the only rider to date, to hold the complete set of individual titles at the same time.

● If Charlotte won another individual gold at Tokyo, she would be just the second rider ever to win three successive medals. The first was Holland’s Anky van Grunsven.

● Charlotte, Carl and Lottie finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the FEI Dressage World Cup at the London International Horse Show at Olympia in 2019.

● Carl and Charlotte’s horses work in the school just four days a week. They all hack and get turned out in paddocks most days. Carl and Charlotte are great believers that horses should be allowed to be horses and relax so that schooling and competing isn’t considered as stressful and unpleasant.

● Gareth Hughes grew up in Australia where he competed in Showing and Western riding as well as Dressage.

● Gareth’s nickname is Mr Detail.

Photo credits – Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin

Written by Horse Scout journalist Ellie Kelly.

General

OLYMPIA RAISES OLYMPIC HOPES

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailThe London International Horse Show at Olympia signals a round-up of the equestrian year. This coupled with that festive feel-good factor shared amongst riders and spectators alike, makes it one of the best shows on the European circuit.

 

This year was no different and it further reinforced the gravitas of Olympia, which first took place in 1907 making it one of the oldest and most prestigious shows on the continent. With seven of the world’s top ten show-jumpers competing, including World Number one and two Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs. This together with the reigning Olympic dressage gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin plus Carl Hester and the FEI Driving World Champion Boyd Exell, proves the show as one of great significance to the equestrian world. And beyond- Olympia is one of only three British equestrian events still broadcast annually by the BBC.

 

The show attracted riders from a wealth of nations but in almost every discipline, it was British riders who dominated. With the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics less than seven months away, riders have something to prove to selectors. In addition, the end of January is the cut off point for horses to change hands if they are to be campaigned by riders at the Olympics. So you could say Olympia gave us a bit of a glimpse of what may be to come.

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The Dressage World Cup class at Olympia is the only British qualifier for the Longines FEI World Cup Final and it was as hotly contested as ever amongst Britain’s leading riders. The top three places in both the FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix were filled by Charlotte Dujardin (Mount St John Freestyle) in first, Carl Hester (Hawtins Delecato) in second and Lottie Fry (Everdale) in third. It was something of a deja-vous the following day when the placings were replicated in the World Cup Freestyle to Music.

 

This was Charlotte’s fourth win in the FEI World Cup. Although it was a first with the talented British bred mare by Fidermark, having previously won it and set the record on Valegro. “This was her third ever Freestyle. The crowd felt even closer tonight and it was a difficult floorplan. She really tried and listened to me. I’ve had my highs and lows this year (referring to disqualification at the European Championships for blood on a flank) and it is great to end the year with such a positive ride.”

 

With the Olympics in mind, judge Andrew Gradner was particularly pleased with the British dressage domination: “These horses are young, so there is more to come. This is my favourite show and judging horses of this calibre here is such a treat.”

 

Olympia is a personal favourite for many leading British showjumpers and whilst there was the notable absence of John and Michael Whitaker from the line-up, Olympic gold medallists Ben Maher and Scott Brash both brought a team of horses and Holly Smith had three.

 

Whilst the World Cup was won by Swiss rider, Martin Fuchs on Sinner, Scott further cemented his place at the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas with a fifth placing on Hello Jefferson. Speaking in the press conference, Scott believes that this could be his mount for the Tokyo Olympics this year. Indeed the 10 year old gelding by Cooper vd Heffink seems to improve in form with each outing. The pair were crucial to the British FEI Nations Cup victory in Dublin back in August which set them in good stead for a team bronze and Olympia qualification at the European Championships in Rotterdam.

 

Scott pulled off another great display of horsemanship in the final class of the show, The Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix. This time riding Hello Vincent, a recent purchase and previously the ride of Jodie Hall McAteer, the 19 year old British starlet who also had a good show with a win in the Voltaire Design Under 25 British Championship. Scott was notably enthusiastic about the young gelding. “I’m so proud of Vincent- he was amazing. Winning my last grand prix of the year, in front of a home crowd- it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Seven riders made it through to the jump-off and four of them were British. Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander was the only non-Brit to squeeze into the top four with a second place on brand new ride Identity Vitserol.

 

Third place went to Holly Smith on Hearts Destiny who has enjoyed her best season yet with a Nations Cup win and the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin and a bronze medal at the Europeans. Holly enjoyed an outstanding Olympia and took the Leading Rider accolade by an incredible 28 points.

 

“I’m absolutely delighted with all three of my horses but Heart’s Destiny has taken me to places I’ve only dreamed of. The calibre of riders here at Olympia- seven of the world’s top 10- makes it all the more special.”

 

Fourth place in the Grand Prix went to 25 year old James Wilson, a new face on the British Nations Cup team this year. Riding Imagine de Maze, the mare has kept James starry eyed this year. “This horse has made all my dreams come true: my first World Cup, my first Nations Cup and now my first Grand Prix placing. She has catapulted me right up there and now I’ve got Tokyo in my sights.”

 

So in our humble opinion, and if Olympia is anything to go by, the Brits may have more than just Tokyo in their sights. Bring on the medals!

Written by Ellie Kelly

General

Wowed by Liverpool

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Our roving reporter, Ellie Kelly heads down to the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show  to check out the action.

 

It was my first visit to Liverpool-  both the city and the show and I have not been disappointed. Despite the 600 mile round trip, within hours of being there, I decided to make it a regular fixture. Nina Barbour has delivered a first-class event to this vibrant city. In a part of the world which is rich in horse enthusiasts and professional riders but surprisingly short of major equestrian events. Testament to the quality and production of the show, leading riders from the worlds of showjumping and dressage were competing, even at a time when many professional yards wind down over Christmas. Still a relatively new show, Liverpool International is gathering momentum but with leading riders some great entertainment, I wasn’t surprised to see the Echo Arena with very few empty seats.

 

On the first day, Charlotte Dujardin reminded she is no one-hit wonder when claiming the Equitop Myoplast Freestyle Dressage. The multi-medaled Olympian scored 81.938% on her flashy eight-year-old mare, Florentina VI in the Intermediate 1 class. Earlier in the evening, she paraded Valegro to an excited crowd at the Echo arena.

 

Also on Friday, teen showjumper Jack Whitaker won the Liverpool International Under 25 Grand Prix, sponsored by Equerry Horse Feeds. The son of Michael Whitaker has had another great year, including winning a silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Argentina.

 

It was a great day for the girls on the second day. Pony rider Claudia Moore repeated her great Liverpool victory of 2017 in the 148cm Championships, sponsored by Carden Arms. Claudia was a member of Great-Britain’s Pony European Championships this summer, where she claimed individual bronze. In the evening, Harriet Nuttall who scored the fastest jump-off time to win the four-star Voltaire sponsored jumping class, somewhat fittingly as the Somerset rider is sponsored by Voltaire.

 

On Day three Harry Charles underlined his status as one of world showjumping’s most exciting prospects by claiming a brilliant victory at the TheraPlateUK Liverpool International Horse Show.

 

The 19-year-old, from Alton in Hampshire, won the 1.45m international speed class, sponsored by Hope Valley Saddlery, with bay mare Doulita.

 

It proved to be a thrilling competition, with Harry’s time of 57.28 seconds proving just enough to edge out Graham Babes. They were both members of Great Britain’s gold medal-winning European Young Riders team earlier this year.

 

“It was an amazing win,” Harry said, after collecting a £7,300 victor’s purse. “I own the horse, which makes it extra special. I’ve had her a year, and every day I have put work into her to get her to this level.

 

Harry, son of London 2012 Great Britain team showjumping gold medallist Peter Charles, added: “It has been an absolutely fantastic year for me. Liverpool last year was my first real big show, and since then my whole career has taken off. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I want to win every time, it is the best feeling in the world, and I chase that every day in training. I want to make sure I do my best.

 

It was England and Ireland who shared top honours in the Puissance on Sunday evening. Yorkshireman Matt Sampson and Irish challenger Michael shared the top prize after they both jumped 2.20 metres (7ft 3in) to clear the famous red wall in a class sponsored by Equitop GLME.

 

And for Matt, it was a remarkable result, given that he only knew about his ride – Top Dollar VI – barely 30 minutes before the start after its regular rider Laura Renwick rang and offered him the ride.

 

“I’ve only ever done one Puissance before but he filled me with confidence and it got easier as I figured him out a bit more,” said Matt.

 

There will be more hot off the press action from the final day of the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show.

 

 

General

Liverpool International Horse Show 2018

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Liverpool 02.01.17 Day 3

The Theraplate UK Liverpool International Horse Show; now in its fourth year, promises to be a feast for the senses. Taking place between the 28th – 31st December at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, top class riders will be travelling from all over the world to compete at this event, which is getting bigger and better each year. The show is the brainchild of Nina Barbour, Show President who is a celebrated equestrian sportswoman and also presents the Bolesworth International Horse Show, which takes place at Bolesworth Castle each year in June.

The packed programme includes World Ranking Show Jumping, Ride and Drive (horses and cars against the clock), the Mini Major Relay, the Liverpool International Grand Prix and the Equitop Myoplast Puissance, all of which will keep you at the edge of your seats as top riders test their skill and nerve. Each performance throughout the event will include exciting demonstrations including Area Cross FMX motorbikes, the Shetland Pony Grand National, ‘Phoenix’ by Gilles Fortier and live music from Rick Parfitt Junior. The event caters to the whole family; equestrian fans or not it promises to be an amazing way to celebrate the end of the year, all finished off with their midnight celebrations with pyrotechnics to rival any firework display.

For the second year running; back by popular demand, Dressage will also be returning to the Liverpool International Horse Show on the Friday including up to 10 top riders performing in an Invitational Inter 1 Freestyle to music.

Liverpool International Horse Show - Dressage - Charlotte Dujardin

If all of this wasn’t enough already to keep you entertained, there is an extensive shopping village including top brands such as Voltaire, a Touch of Silver and Hunters Gin. To keep the kids entertained, there are many activities such as face painting and #LIHS horse glitter stencils to add a little sparkle to their new years celebrations. There are also interactive experiences such as training sessions on the Equiciser with the great man himself AP McCoy giving tips and tricks to stay in the saddle.

Horse Scout are proud to be supporting the Theraplate UK Liverpool International Show and are able to offer a fantastic saving of 10% to all Horse Scout members. This code is valid on all ticket levels and all performances. Tickets are strictly subject to availability at the time of booking. To get your Horse Scout member discount visit https://www.horsescout.com/liverpool-international-horse-show

 

To buy tickets and for further information visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com

 

Become a Horse Scout member and start saving on great events. https://www.horsescout.com/liverpool-international-horse-show

General

NEWSFLASH: A-LISTERS, ROYALTY AND GOLD MEDALISTS FLOCK TO BOLESWORTH

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailNEWSFLASH: A-LISTERS, ROYALTY AND GOLD MEDALISTS FLOCK TO BOLESWORTH

(13th– 17th June 2018)

Bolesworth Show 18.06.17

What could be better than watching equestrian sport at the highest level, set against the back-drop of an eighteenth century castle, with an entourage of riders and spectators as dazzling and glamorous as an Oscars after-party?

 

Frankly, The Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show is where the party is at this summer. “Bigger and better than ever with a huge variety at top level” says Organiser and founder Nina Barbour and looking at the line up, she’s not exaggerating.

 

This year, there will be five days of thrilling action including CDI 3* dressage, CSI 4* jumping, an Eventing Grand Prix and other fun arena events and demos including a Ride and Drive, Polo demonstrations and a Celebrity Fashion Show. The evening entertainment includes the Cazenove Eventing Grand Prix where Andrew Hoy, Carlos Paro and Alex Hua Tian are part of the entries. As well as the hugely successful Bolesworth Elite Auction for top jumping bred young stock. “It will be hard to beat last year, where the top price was £92,000 for a foal by Big Star, out of Tinka’s Serenade. Although this year’s catalogue has the strongest collection yet” says Nina.

LHS-8 (1)

Nina who has competed internationally in eventing and jumping, is a girl with the ambition and the know-how. Above all, the courage and conviction to dream big and make things happen. The 37 year old, who has also brought equestrian sport to the city of Liverpool, with the New Year’s extravaganza “The Liverpool Show”, has a commercial vision when it comes to managing the family estate of Bolesworth. Outside of Equestrian Bolesworth also plays host to Car Fest North and a number of other renowned outdoor events. She also set up the successful Harthill Stud, with the aim of breeding top quality eventers and showjumpers.

 

In just seven years, Bolesworth International has morphed from a Showjumping event attracting predominantly national riders in 2011 to an internationally acclaimed and important fixture on the FEI calendar as well as the social diary. Nina and her team have successfully lined up an impressive array of sponsors, including Equerry Horse Feeds and Bentley Motor Group, both of whom are local to the Cheshire showground.

 

Testimony to the growing success of the show, leading riders are queuing up to compete, which is why the entries list this year reads like “the little black book of equestrian sport”.

Candy Windsor 4

For starters, there are as many heiresses competing at Bolesworth as there were at the Royal wedding. Eve Jobs, daughter of Steve Jobs, the Founder of Apple and Sophia Abramovich will be competing in jumping whilst HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand, who represented her country in the Asian Games, will be competing in the international dressage competition.  The Princess Nariratana is an international fashion designer and is the daughter of HRH the King of Thailand.

 

Then there will be British show jumpers John Whitaker, Laura Renwick and Amanda Derbyshire will be here. Whilst in dressage, Olympic champions Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester will be riding their exciting Grand Prix horses, Mount St John Freestyle and Hawtins Delicato, which they hope to take to the FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina in September.

Calle Bolesworth

Nina describes her event as being like “a big day out at the races”. The show is certainly becoming one of the key events of the summer social calendar for riders and spectators, whether they are horsey or not.

 

“Each year, we aim to come up with something new that will complement the sport and create a great atmosphere”, says Nina. “For 2018, we have the Bentley Ride & Drive, where riders compete in showjumping and then jump into a £150,000 Bentley Bentayga V8 to race around an obstacle course against the clock.  Music is also really important to us, and this year, we have the new ‘Club Boles’, which is beside the main ring.  We’ll have DJs, Ibiza Classics on the Friday evening and on Saturday night, the fantastic Rick Parfitt Junior will be rocking Bolesworth.  We have a big element of fun to what we do.  We want our visitors to enjoy world-class sport and be entertained as well.”

 

Family entertainment is also Nina’s prerogative with both Bolesworth and Liverpool. She explains why: “One of our big missions has always been to inspire young people to take part in equestrian sport.  We want to help to make sure that equestrian sport keeps growing and we want to make showjumping, dressage and eventing as accessible as possible.  I’m passionate about encouraging children to ride.  Children under 12 get free entry to our show and we also have lots of attractions for families.  We have Freestyle Motocross from the Arena-cross FMX crew all weekend.  There’s mountain bike displays, interactive electric bike zone, pony rides, exotic animals, crazy golf, an assault course, fun fair, inflatables and our Dog Show is always really popular.  One of our big draws is also the shopping, with everything from diamonds to designer shirts and with our Fine Food and Lifestyle Marquee we always celebrate local produce”.

 

Tickets and luxury VIP packages are available from www.bolesworthinternational.com

Written by Ellie Kelly

A P McCoy Dressage Equestrian fashion FEI World cup Frankie Dettori Horse Advice Horse Scout Advocate Injured Jockeys Fund Laura Renwick London International Horse show Olympia Horse Show Piaffes Sports Horses The Markel Champions Challenge Valegro winter

Olympia Horse Show

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailWritten by Ellie Kelly Horse Scout press

The greatest exhibition of horsemanship: Olympia Horse Show

Horses, champagne and shopping are three of my favourite things. It’s always a heady cocktail of all that with an extra helping of festive fever at The London International Horse Show. Did you know it remains the UK’s largest indoor horse show and around 3000 bottles of champagne are drunk each year?

Olympia always attracts leading riders but this year, the line-up is nothing short of orgasmic. SEVEN of the world’s top ten showjumpers, some of the GREATEST dressage riders of all time plus the current Driving WORLD CHAMPION. Then throw in some damn fine looking Chilean men doing crazy things on horseback and throng of flat and jump jockeys, most of whom are the most FAMOUS on the planet.

Christmas Jumpers

With more talent than your Aunt Roberta’s knitting skills, this year’s jumping entries will raise the roof. The British line-up includes Scott Brash, Ben Maher, leading British lady, Laura Renwick as well as John and Michael Whitaker who have almost a century’s worth of experience between them (ouch).

European challengers include former World No 1 Simon Delestre, current World No 3 and recent winner of the  Rolex IJRC Final, Kevin Staut, FEI World Cup winner Steve Guerdat, Olympic silver medallist Peder Fredricson and the effervescent Lorenzo de Luca who is always a favourite with the crowds.

Perfect piaffes and how to produce the next Valegro

Olympia would not be the same without indulging in the nations love affair with Carl and Charlotte. The pair have practically owned the place with their performances for years now. Whilst neither are competing in the FEI World Cup classes, they will be inspiring and motivating us with a Masterclass on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Wednesday Carl will be entertaining and educating on the process of making a Grand Prix horse with Charlotte as his guinea pig and at times the brunt of his wicked humour. It’s hot gossip that Charlotte will be bringing her FEI World Equestrian Games hopeful, Mount St John Freestyle for her Masterclass on Tuesday.

The FEI World Cup London leg is as hotly contested as ever. There is Patrick Kittel, Swedish Olympian and leader of the Western League, Dutch maestro, Edward Gal and the home team includes Hayley Watson-Greaves, Emile Faurie, Richard Davison, Gareth Hughes and Lara Butler.

Doing it for charity

The Markel Champions Challenge is all in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF). A cause close to most jockey’s hearts and some incredible jockeys go tête-à-tête in a relay show-jumping competition.

20-time Champion Jockey, Sir A P McCoy is coming out of retirement to lead the jump jockeys, in battle against the Flat jockeys led by none other than Frankie Dettori.  AP is not a man to rest on his laurels. “Last year, I watched from the side lines as my fellow jump jockeys got thrashed by Dettori’s boys. So this year I shall be picking my own team and shall be looking to the greats of the past to help me do this. Whilst we’ll be ultra-competitive, it’s all for such a great cause in the Injured Jockeys Fund.”

We all scream for Ex-treme

Hold your horses because once again, Olympia hosts three Driving competitions which has attracted some of the world’s best four-in-hand drivers. Thursday’s “Extreme Driving Top score” will warm up both the drivers and the spectators for the following two legs of the FEI World Cup.

As well as popular Ozzie and World champ Boyd Exell, British driver Dan Naprous will be staking a claim as will the most experienced and multi-medalled of any driver, Ijsbrand Chardon who has been at the top of the sport since the 80s.

All I want for Christmas…

Is an Animo show jacket, a Butet saddle and a Liberty Kelly poncho. With 225 shops embracing cutting edge fashion, bargain rugs and unique gifts, this place comes with a warning. Especially if you are anything like us and have hit the champagne bar beforehand. #shopresponsibly #tattinger

The Horse Scout Team will be at Olympia bringing news, views and inspiration.

Tickets to the London International Horse Show are still available for some performances and you can watch the best of dressage and show jumping action on the BBC.

https://www.londonhorseshow.com/

 

Dressage General

Hartpury Festival Of Dressage Sponsors

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Hartpury Festival of Dressage

Horse Scout was among the high profile sponsors at Hartpury’s Festival of Dressage

Last week, where around 1,000 spectators gathered to watch the country’s best dressage riders including Charlotte Dujardin who stole the show scoring 90.625% when she premiered her new Olympic Grand Prix Freestyle on Valegro.

The Olympic duo also won the CDI Grand Prix class sponsored by Horse Scout scoring 82.28% — 5% ahead of Carl Hester who came second on Nip Tuck. Third and fourth place was taken by fellow Olympic dressage team members Spencer Wilton on Super Nova II (77.50%) and Fiona Bigwood on Atterupgaards Orthilia (75.14%).
Charlotte’s performance was such that by Monday, 6,000 people had already tuned in to see the video of her winning the Horse Scout-sponsored class on Hartpury’s website.
Other notable victories at Hartpury Festival of Dressage included Carl Hester and Nip Tuck who beat fellow competitors by an impressive 10% margin in Sunday’s Grand Prix Special class, sponsored by Baileys. Michael Eilberg was another highlight scoring 76.632% to win the Shadow Horse FEI CDI Inter I on Woodlander Farouche.
More than 300 riders from around 19 nations competed at the event which gave spectators the opportunity to see a host of Olympic riders perform for the last time before they head to Rio.