Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris wrote history yesterday by being the first Brit ever to win a World Cup Qualifier at the 2011 CDI-W Olympia Horse Show in London. It was a close outcome: just 0.5% divided the three top ranked riders and all three scored over 83% making it the highest scoring World Cup qualifier of the 2011-2012 series so far.
“The result was a dream come true for British dressage,” said Stephen Clarke, president of the Ground Jury. “The riders did a fantastic job and made us, the judges, work. It was difficult to separate them and with such huge scores.”
Laura and Mistral Hojris also became the first British winners of the Olympia World Cup qualifier since its inception in 2004. The pair was impeccable throughout the Cees Slings arranged beautifully timed, foot-tapping ‘Shadows’ routine, which earned them the highest points for "Music and Interpretation" in the artistic part of the scores.
“I had such a great ride. Alf was right on the button and to win at Olympia in-front of the home crowd at the end of a season is really special,” said Laura.
Twenty-five year-old Charlotte, riding in only her second freestyle competition, was a mere 0.275% behind with the nine-year old Dutch-bred Valegro. Her Tom Hunt freestyle was re-tuned for Olympia based on the alpha version she has ridden on at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam. The floorplan stayed the same but the music was new.
“He was a little bit hotter tonight and there were a few mistakes but I am still getting to grips with the freestyle. But just to compete here was last year one of my dreams.”
The focus and concentration couldn’t have been more evident from Carl and the Dutch-bred stallion Uthopia. After last night’s grand prix which Carl admitted was ring rusty, tonight’s freestyle was mistake free and polished and made the most of the black stallion’s powerful and floating extensions.
“It was the best he could have done,” said Carl. “I had a great ride with such lightness and despite really wanting to beat Laura and Charlotte I really don’t think there was much more I could have done.”
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-W London
Bechtolsheimer Leads British Whitewash at 2011 CDI-W London