Charlotte Dujardin and Hawtins Delicato dance to victory at HOYS

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Charlotte Dujardin is no stranger to winning, and she took her customary place at the top of the line-up in the Arbonne Dressage Future Elite Championship at HOYS on Friday evening (7 October).

Riding the elegant eight-year-old gelding Hawtins Delicato, Charlotte delivered a test deemed worthy of 78.62% from the judges, to win ahead of Sonnar Murray-Brown (Erlentanz) in second and Tom Goode (Dior III) in third.

With her Olympic, World and European champion Valegro set to be retired in December, Charlotte is now concentrating on bringing on her young horses and finding the next superstar. And she believes Hawtins Delicato could well be one to watch.

“He is going to be a top horse, really special. He is only eight, and that was only his second competition to music. It was also the first time in a massive indoor arena for him as well, so he dealt with all the pressure and the hot atmosphere really well. He was a bit tense at the start, but as I went through the test, he settled and I was really happy with him.”

Charlotte is no stranger to competing at the Horse of the Year Show, having started her riding career in the show ring.

“There are lots of childhood memories for me being here, with competing in showing classes and winning a couple of times,” she said. “Going into the main arena under the spotlight was always every girl’s dream, so to come here and ride here again, to win and go and then do it all again with the presentation was brilliant. It was so much fun.”

Image credit ES Photography

Horse & Country’s coverage of HOYS is brought to you in association with TopSpec. Watch the daily highlights show on H&C TV each night at 7.30pm from Thursday to Monday. Watch on Sky 253 or sign up to H&C Play to watch on your computer, smart phone or tablet.

Read Carl Hester’s interview about Valegro’s retirement.