Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale (GBR) capped a standout London International Horse Show by winning the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Freestyle, adding the Freestyle title to their Grand Prix victory in the fourth leg of the Western European League.
Riding to a flying-themed Freestyle, Fry and the black stallion (owned by the athlete and Van Olst Horses) topped the leaderboard on 89.170%, with fellow Brit Becky Moody and Jagerbomb (owned by the athlete and Jo Cooper) taking second on 86.410%. Isabell Freese (NOR) and Total Hope OLD (owned by Lone Boegh Hendriksen, Øivind Bache and Paul Schockemöhle) completed the podium in third on 81.695%.
The ExCeL London arena, traditionally dressed in full Christmas style for the show, provided a festive backdrop as the home crowd roared on the British riders after an all-British top three in Friday’s Grand Prix.
British combinations lift the roof after the break
After the interval, the atmosphere inside the arena quickly intensified as the British combinations took centre stage.
Sadie Smith (GBR) and Swanmore Dantina (owned by the athlete) produced a confident, relaxed test despite a few minor errors in the tempi changes, scoring 76.900% to finish sixth and set a new international personal best.
When Fry and Glamourdale entered the arena, the venue fell silent. The reigning FEI Dressage World Cup™ champions had been dominant in the Grand Prix and again looked untouchable in the Freestyle. Glamourdale’s last outing was the FEI Dressage European Championship in Crozet (FRA), and in London he appeared back in peak form.
Reflecting on the performance, Fry said: “This is one of Glamourdale’s best ever performances. 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 way he felt today was just the most incredible feeling.
“We both really got our confidence back here; I think we finished this year on the highest of highs.”
Moody’s Christmas Freestyle delivers second
The crowd had little time to recover before Becky Moody and Jagerbomb followed with a festive, Christmas-themed Freestyle.
“We tried to have a little bit of fun with the music, it was really cool,” Moody said afterwards. In a technically demanding test packed with transitions and difficult combinations, Jagerbomb delivered a steady performance to secure second place.
Moody added: “I’m incredibly lucky to have such a phenomenal horse, he has a heart of gold.”
Freese returns to the London podium
German-based British dressage rider Susan Pape (GBR) and Harmony’s Giulilanta (owned by the athlete and Harmony Sporthorses) danced to Tom Jones and produced a fault-free Freestyle, scoring a personal best 79.805% to finish just outside the top three.
Freese and Total Hope OLD, who were second in London last year, again delivered under pressure to take third. Freese said: “I’m super happy today, he was much better than yesterday. We managed to ride without mistakes. He’s a breeding stallion, so warming up with other horses isn’t always easy for him. I’m really proud that he was fully concentrated as soon as we entered the arena.”
Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Alive and Kicking (owned by the athlete, Ulrike Bachinger and Carl Hester) were warmly received by the crowd, but a few mistakes in the Freestyle left them just outside the podium places.
World Cup standings: Netz still leads
Following the London qualifier, Raphael Netz (GER) remains top of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League standings. Becky Moody made the biggest move up the leaderboard and now sits third with 37 points.
The series continues in Mechelen (BEL) on 28 and 29 December.
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