Carl Hester and Nip Tuck Return in Spectacular Fashion
Dressage sensation Carl Hester last night took a win as he returned to competition on board Nip Tuck in the Equine Construction CDI Dressage Grand Prix, at Keysoe.
The win came following a short break in competition since the European Championships in Gothenburg 2017. It was announced in February that the pair would make their return to competition at Keysoe CDI3*.
He last did the Europeans in 2017, and it does feel like it’s been ages! He was fourth there, and Jane and I thought he’d probably done the best he could ever do, so last year he had some time off – he’d done four major championships in a row”
commented Carl following their win.
The infamously spooky gelding looked to be in his element entering the arena. Delivering a test that delighted the audience, Nip Tuck appeared to have been well-served by his extended holiday.
He just feels so well. It was like riding a ten-year-old – he doesn’t feel anything like his age. He’s just so excited to be out and so happy. So, I’d said to Jane, ‘Look, I need a horse to fill in for some shows over here’, because Delicato needs to step up this year and do more shows abroad. But we’ve not got a lot of top-level British riders, and it’s so important that we represent at the home internationals and try to help out these guys who bother to put on internationals. He’s a brilliant horse to do that with. I thought, I’ll bring him to Keysoe and then Windsor – that’s the plan, just keep him happy. We both enjoy it, and the horse loves being out and about, and Jane will ride him in between.”
The pair delivered a score of 74.457%, some 4% away from their personal best, yet full of enjoyment and harmony between horse and rider.
Triple Olympic gold medallist and current FEI world ranked number 7 Charlotte Dujardin was narrowly beaten into second place by her trainer and mentor. On catch ride Erlentanz, following an injury to owner and rider Sonner Murray-Brown, Charlotte delivered a 73.413% test. A number of minor mistakes kept them off the top spot.
Keysoe owner and show director Simon Bates added,
it is always a pleasure to welcome Carl to Keysoe and we’re very grateful to have Nip Tuck making his competitive return here. It was a bit of a treat for the local crowd to watch such a world-class field.”
Dujardin also took the Spillers Prix St George earlier in the afternoon with Mount St John VIP on 76.941%.
Spectator tickets are available to purchase at a cost of £12 per day via https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=280754 Hospitality tickets are also available at £20 per person.
The full schedule will be available to watch online via www.clipmyhorse.tv offering those unable to attend to watch the feature Grand Prix classes as well as the Small Tour, Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.