Individual gold medallist in London 2012 and Rio 2016 riding the precious Dutch-bred Valegro (Negro - Maifleur x Gershwin), British rider Charlotte Dujardin was suspended from competition after a video became public that she had been whipping a horse to the extreme. Now as her suspension is over, Dujardin made a winning comeback in a Gloucestershire arena in England, riding nine-year-old black mare Special Effect SP (Sezuan x Cantoblanco). Two performances scored 74.46% and 76.71%.
Great Britain's representation at the European Championships in Crozet, France, at the end of August will be: Charlotte (Lottie) Fry (29), and her own and Van Olst Horses’ Glamourdale (black, stallion, 14yrs, 16.3hh, Lord Leatherdale x Negro, Breeder: J. Rodenburg NED, Groom: Richard Hauwaerts); Andrew Gould (45) from Horsham, West Sussex, with Tatiana and Max Skillman’s Indigro (black, stallion, 12yrs, 16.2hh, Negro x Jazz, Breeder: J. Deenen NED, Groom: Natalie Campbell); Carl Hester (58), based in Newent, Gloucestershire and originally from Sark, riding Fame (bay, stallion, 15yrs, 16.2hh, Bordeaux 28 x Rhodium, Breeder: V. O. F. G. om. Gerritsen NED, Groom: Lucy Scudamore, owners Fiona Bigwood, Mette Dahl and Hester); and last but not least Becky Moody (45) from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with Jo Cooper and her own Jagerbomb (bay, gelding, 11yrs, 17.1hh, Dante Weltino OLD x Jazz, Breeder: Becky Moody GBR, Groom: Kim Masson).
The Netherlands can also be proud of their team, which includes two relatively young and new horses alongside two more experienced: Dinja van Liere (35, living in Werkendam, NED, showing stallion Hermès (Easy Game x Flemmingh); Marieke van der Putten showing 10-year-old mare Zantana RS2 ( Glock’s Zonik NOP out of Sonda Hann by Sir Donnerhall, breeder Grestüt Lewitz). The youngest and newest team member, 21-year-old Rowena Weggelaar showing 17-year-old gelding Don Quichot (United out of Parona pref ster by Gribaldi, breeders Marlies Totté and J. van Westeinde from Oostburg); and lastly, Thamar Zweistra showing 9-year-old chestnut gelding Hexagon’s Luxuriouzz NOPT (Johnson out Walida van de Waalsehoeve elite prest prok, breeder Wendy Plomp), owned by the rider.
Claartje van Andel
