The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ qualifier in Amsterdam this weekend (29 – 31 January 2015) belonged to British stars Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro who once again showed their supremacy with two high-octane yet seamless performances.
Charlotte was feeling seriously jet-lagged after flying home from presenting masterclasses in New Zealand and was disappointed with the way she rode in Friday’s grand prix, but still she scored 86.14%, such is her performance level. Second placed Danielle Heijkoop and Siro NOP (NED) were the nearest challengers on a percentage of 78.32.
On Saturday, Charlotte and the 13-year-old Valegro, owned by her trainer-mentor Carl Hester, Roly Luard and Anne Barrott, entered the arena for their freestyle with a cool confidence. Riding retro, to their original Tom Hunt compilation from 2011, they produced a performance of controlled power, and in complete sync, to score 93.90% - a fraction behind the world record they set at Olympia.
The Olympic, World and European Champions were popular winners in the great Amsterdam RAI arena, shown by the audience’s standing ovation during the awards ceremony. They have a strong fan-base in the Netherlands – the Dutch adore Valegro who was bred in their homeland, and they receive a great reception each time they appear there.
Heijkoop and Siro took second place in the freestyle scoring 82.37% with their confident programme highlighting the Gribaldi-sired black gelding’s exceptional piaffe.
As title defenders, Charlotte and Valegro’s next appearance will be at the World Cup Final in Las Vegas (15-19 April).
Results
1. Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro (GBR) - 93.900%
2. Danielle Heijkoop and Siro NOP (NED) – 82.375%
3. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB (GER) – 80.900%
4. Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando NH NOP (NED) – 79.950%
5. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt (NED) – 79.250%
6. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard and Jojo AZ (DEN) – 78.050%
7. Sonke Rothenberger and Favourit (GER) – 77.325%
8. Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW (GER) – 76.775%
9. Patrick van der Meer and Uzzo (NED) – 75.725%
10. Terhi Stegars and Axis TSF (FIN) – 75.675%
For full results click here
Photo courtesy: FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst