Dujardin smashes European record in Aachen

Charlotte Dujardin proved Valegro is truly unstoppable today (August 15) when the remarkable combination won gold in the FEI European Championships Grand Prix Special.

Something to prove

All eyes were on Charlotte ahead of today’s competition after her Grand Prix test for the team on Thursday didn’t go completely to plan.

The Brits still scooped silver medals, but the rider ended the day feeling frustrated that she didn’t bring home gold for the team.

Today, however, the one-and-only Valegro was at his best and set a new European record scoring 87.577% – less than half a per cent off his own world record.

“After Thursday I wasn’t so happy with myself,” explained the rider. “I was a little bit relaxed and I let silly mistakes happen so today I wanted to go out there and do better.

“Valegro felt on top form outside and it was such an amazing feeling to go in that arena and have the feeling that I could definitely go for it.”

Fight harder

But it wasn’t easy for the Enfield-born rider as German Kristina Bröring-Sprehe gave her a run for her money with Desperados FRH – who was awarded a top mark of 83.067% from the judges.

Charlotte added: “As I went in I saw Kristina’s score. It drives me on more, I’m like ‘right, I’m going to get you aswell’.

“It doesn’t make me afraid it makes me fight harder. I was really happy with my performance and Valegro tried really hard aswell.”

Kristina took silver for Germany, and Hans Peter Minderhoud claimed his first senior championship medal when he claimed bronze with Glock’s Johnson TN.

The Dutchman earnt a score of 79.034% despite fighting off illness just hours before his test.

He said: “Last night I was really sick. I was up all night throwing up. My legs were still a bit like spaghetti so I didn’t enjoy my ride. But then I saw the marks and I was very happy with my test.”

It was a different day for fellow Dutchman Edward Gal, who had high hopes after an impressive performance with Glock’s Undercover N.O.P. in the Grand Prix.

The horse started his test looking tense before the judges eliminated the pair when they spotted blood in the horse’s mouth.

The rest of the Brits

First up for Great Britain was 27-year-old Michael Eilberg who scored 69.930% with 15-year-old Marakov – a horse who is only improving with age.

Michael was thrilled with ‘Marko’ despite getting in a muddle with his one-time changes and he only narrowly missed out on qualifying for tomorrow’s Grand Prix Kur.

Fiona Bigwood, who rode blinder for the team on Thursday, battled pouring rain during her test with Atterupgaards Orthelia (aka Tilly) and still managed to produce a mark of 74.510% which puts her forward for tomorrow’s freestyle competition.

The king of dressage Carl Hester said he was “thrilled” with Nip Tuck who was in the running for a bronze with 77.003% before Hans Peter and Beatriz Ferrer-Salat pipped him to the post.

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