News
Carl Hester Claims Freestyle Victory
Dec 18, 2015
Last night after the Grand Prix at Olympia, The London Horse Show, Carl Hester threw down the gauntlet. Tonight he put words into action and with Nip Tuck (83.750%) ran out the winner of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Freestyle supported by Horse & Hound.
Promising the most difficult freestyle he could muster, the British Olympic and European gold medallist delivered with a brand new test of high technical difficulty and was delighted to nail the win. It was also a convincing personal best (PB) freestyle score for the combination.
“This is really huge for me,” said a delighted Hester. “Last night I thought I had a chance and decided to grab it. I was a little nervous as to whether it would come off and to produce a test like that you really have to have a horse on your side. It just goes to show that after 25 years in the job and riding Grand Prix you never really know what you have and Nip Tuck is really turning into something I never thought he was.”
The showcase performance by the British Master relegated the then leaders Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia (82.55), to second place. The pair had produced an energetic and expressive test and also produced their highest and best score to date.
“I am really happy with the test,” said Charlotte who is lining up the Dutch-bred stallion as a second string for Rio. “Last night he felt really fresh and tonight a little tired and there were a few errors. He is a very different ride to Valegro and is a little ring shy and I still have to hold his hand a bit but he tried so hard.”
Hans Peter Minderhoud, a regular Dutch visitor to Olympia and Glock's Flirt (80.975) took third and in a night of PBS followed suit producing a score marginally higher than their bets and winning score in Stockholm last month.
“I was pleased with that – it was a little difficult coming in after Charlotte but he really tried for me and it is a great feeling when they are on your side,” said Minderhoud who always puts Olympia in his diary, “I love the show and London,” said Hans. “It is a great show, a great audience and a good way to end the year before Christmas.”
1 NIP TUCK DON RUTO 102UB47 KWPN Carl HESTER GBR 83.750 13.750 €
2 UTHOPIA METALL GBR40907 KWPN Charlotte DUJARDIN GBR 82.550 10.000 €
3 GLOCK'S FLIRT FLORESTAN I 103DD24 CH Hans Peter MINDERHOUD NED 80.975 7.500 €
4 RUBIN AL ASAD RUBIN ROYAL OLD 102VC47 HANN Lara GRIFFITH GBR 78.025 5.625 €
5 PARIDON MAGI DON PRIMERO 102QX23 SWB Tinne VILHELMSON SILFVÉN SWE 77.700 3.125 €
7 RUBINS NITE RUBIN ROYAL OLD 103RB72 BHHS Hayley WATSON-GREAVES GBR 75.075 1.875 €
9 VANCOUVER K JAZZ IRL40808 KWPN Judy REYNOLDS IRL 73.525 625 €
Source Olympia Horse Show