Great Britain's Charlotte Dujardin and her magnificent Valegro reigned supreme at the Stade D'Ornano in front of a packed crowd, taking her second Gold medal of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, winning the Freestyle Grand Prix with a score of 92.161%. This now makes Dujardin the current Olympic, World Champion and European Champion holder – a feat never held before in dressage. Helen Langehanenberg riding Damon Hill NRW went into the stadium before Dujardin and rode a stunning test with a superb score of 88.286%. Dujardin followed straight after and knew she had to pull everything out, which she did.
Last to go in the class of the 15 competitors was the experienced Adelinde Cornelissen, riding her 17-year-old Jerich Parzival N.O.P, who was thrilled with her test, riding a Bronze medal winning score of 85.714%.
The Freestyle Grand Prix concludes a magnificent week for Dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Dujardin and the young all-female German riders dominating the three competitions.
Quotes
Charlotte Dujardin (GBR):
I always knew it was possible [to achieve what I have achieved this week] – he is such a fantastic horse. Coming here he felt on top form and with the Grand Prix and the Special that I had, those rides were incredible, probably the best I have ever had. Then coming in here today, I just thought “you know what, I love the music – its where I can have fun”. It was only my third time riding that music and he just felt absolutely fantastic. I've only had one bad ride with him in eight years, that was at Aachen, he is just one in a million. [Being current Olympic, European and now World Champion] just feels so surreal. After London I never thought it could get better then there was the Europeans and then I was looking forward to coming here to my first World Equestrian Games and to come away with two Gold and a Team Silver – I just can't believe it!
Helen Langehanenberg (GER):
I'm absolutely happy – my horse is the best! The rider focuses on the test. We can't predict the results, but it was better than we expected, perfect work. Its a lot of fun, a perfect team, celebrating our team medals. I will keep this in my mind during my whole life!
Adelinde Cornelissen (NED):
17 years old and look at him! A lot of people said his best days were over but a Bronze medal in the World Championship proves that they were very wrong! I am very, very happy. It is not easy to ride after Charlotte, there was a lot of noise but I thought “take it easy and just do your thing”. Now it is just about keeping him fit and happy so he will still be there at the Olympics (Rio 2016).
Kristina Sprehe (GER):
I am very happy with Desperados, today he was a bit tired so I had to work a little bit more than yesterday, but it was a fantastic week – to win a team Gold and a Bronze. Desperados has been fantastic. The atmosphere was wonderful and my horse loves it – it was like London and the audience was really great too.
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE):
Don Auriello was a bit tense as I put everything into doing the best test possible. I am really pleased with him and with all three days of the competition.
Results, Freestyle Grand Prix
1. Charlotte Dujardin/Valegro (GBR) 92.161%
2. Helen Langehanenberg/Damon Hill NRW (GER) 88.286%
3. Adelinde Cornelissen/Jerich Parzival N.O.P. (NED) 85.714%
4. Kristina Sprehe/Desperados FRH (GER) 83.125%
5. Laura Graves/Verdades (USA) 82.036%
6. Victoria Max-Theurer/Augustin Old (AUT) 81.036%
7. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven/Don Auriello (SWE) 80.375%
8. Michael Elberg/Half Moon Delphi (GBR) 79.696%
9. Anna Kasprzak/Donnperignon (DEN) 78.929%
10. Stefan Peters/Legolas 92 (USA) 77.321%
11. Diederik van Silfhout/Arlando NH N.O.P. (NED) 77.286%
12. Carl Hester/Nip Tuck (GBR) 76.589%
13. Natalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein/Digby (DEN) 76.143%
14. Hans Peter Minderhoud/Glock's Johnson TN (NED) 75.554%
15. Morgan Barbancon/Painted Black (ESP) 74.393%