Localrider Magazine
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A Veteran Celebration! 14 PAGES
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February 2017
Show Reports & News
February 2017 • VOLUME XVII NUMBER 1
OF READERS’ VETERANS & THEIR STORIES
Show Reports: www.localrider.co.uk
• Golden Cross • Eaglesfield • Manhood Riding Club Plus lots more…
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OLYMPIA REPORT Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro wowed the crowds with their London 2012 Gold medal winning freestyle test.
Olympia
The London International Horse Show
Tuesday 13th to Monday 19th December 2016 Words by Horsepower and pictures by Horsepower/ Kit Houghton and Fiona Rafferty
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Carl Hester and Nip Tuck won the FEI World Cup Dressage Freestyle to Music, pictured here with Alan Davies.
he second day at Olympia, The London International Horse Show could not have ended any more perfectly than with British Dressage’s own Superman, Carl Hester winning the FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle supported by Horse & Hound. The win with Nip Tuck, Hester’s second consecutive Olympia FEI World Cup qualifying win with his 18 hand high 2016 Olympic team silver partner, came during an emotionally charged evening performance that saw the retirement of Nip Tuck’s stable and Olympic team mate Valegro. The double Olympic gold medallist is part-owned by Hester and ridden by his pupil and former protégé Charlotte Dujardin. Hester and Nip Tuck’s freestyle (84.669) delighted the capacity crowd many of who have come back to Olympia every year since the prestigious FEI World Cup qualifier was initiated here in 2003. “That was the biggest atmosphere at Olympia that I have ever experienced,” said Hester, who is now aiming for the FEI World Cup Final in Omaha in April. “Even yesterday in the Grand Prix it was super-charged and not just because of the numbers. Barney was a
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Why we love
♥
Valegro…
His trot…
Time for an interview...
little on edge but I was really pleased that even out there, with so many people, he kept with me.” Hester was also a major part of the evening’s retirement ceremony for Valegro. “It has been such a joyous occasion,” said Hester. “I know everyone thought it would be sad, but how could anyone be sad to see Valegro go out so fit and well and happy – it’s been a happy sad day.” Hester and Nip Tuck not only successfully defended their Olympia title, but comfortably held off the potential challenge from Dutch Olympic riders Hans Peter Minderhoud with Glock’s Flirt (81.880) and Edward Gal with Glock’s Voice (80.467). The two Dutch riders, as last night in the Grand Prix, took second and third place. Hans Peter Minderhoud, the current holder of the FEI World Cup title took the runner up position with Glock’s Flirt with who he won the title last year – his first FEI World Cup accolade. “I expected a great class with a big atmosphere so I knew we would have to produce our very best and then I heard Carl’s score,” said Minderhoud.
(Valegro says his final farewells to the crowd) But there is always time for a kiss with his favourite girl
Thank you Valegro Three-time Olympic Champions Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro entered the Olympia Grand Hall for a final time, performing their London 2012 Gold medal winning freestyle test to a sell-out crowd in a touching retirement ceremony. In 2014 the pair set the Freestyle Dressage world record at Olympia, and currently hold the highest Olympic score in the Freestyle. Valegro and Charlotte were joined in the arena by mentor and part-owner, Carl Hester, as well as groom Alan Davies, in what was an emotional last dance. The packed-out stands gave the duo a well-deserved standing ovation as they paraded out of the arena. Speaking after the ceremony, Charlotte Dujardin said, “There have been so many happy memories, he’s won every gold medal there is, including three Olympic golds and two FEI World Cup titles. He’s a once in a lifetime horse and I’ll miss competing with him enormously.”
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His pirouettes
His personality
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