DRESSAGE
Charlotte Dujardin’s top ride ramps up his pre-Paris prep and Mari Durward-Akhurst breaks new ground
WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DRESSAGE
30 May–11 June
Wellington International Festival of Dressage, Hants
“I’M 100% saving something for Paris,” was Charlotte Dujardin’s analysis after winning both the grand prix and special with her European team gold and individual bronze and silver medallist Imhotep. Charlotte was satisfied after the first test, for which two judges awarded plus-81%, giving an overall mark of 79.89% and a 2.4% advantage over runner-up Carl Hester (Fame). Imhotep earned three 10s for his pirouettes in a mistake-free round.
“He’s a hot horse but he stayed with me and was so rideable,” said Charlotte. “This is a very important competition pre-Paris, especially having five Olympic judges. It’s good to see where we are, to peak at the right time. You don’t want to do your best test now. This horse is still improving.”
Although the pair again posted a 10 for their pirouettes in the special as they waltzed to another victory over Carl – this time on En Vogue – mistakes in the tempis pulled their score down to 77.64%. Imhotep is full of vim and power, showing such lift and sit in his piaffe and passage, that fours for both sets of changes weren’t as expensive as they could have been.
“I had a few errors but that’s what today’s for, to polish it up for Paris,” said Charlotte.
En Vogue may have been more than 3% adrift, but he produced a lovely, harmonious test (also earning a 10 for his pirouette), with no sign of the spooking that had jeopardised his grand prix – in which they were third on 71.78% with some eye-catching moments.
Carl Hester got his nose in front in the freestyle, executing a fabulous new floorplan with Fame for 83.93%, more than 10% ahead of second-placed Jayden Brown (Willingapark Quincy B). Carl made amends for a mistake in the one-times by “showing off with about 26 down the next line”, explaining that this floorplan is still in the evolutionary stage.
“I need to get my timing right to the music, but I haven’t had time to practise it, I was almost teaching him in the warm-up!” Carl said. “I’m not a music specialist, but this is fun. It has a French feeling and I thought, ‘If I ever get to Paris, this is what I’m going down the last centre line to.’
