Charlotte Dujardin wins Olympic gold after defending individual dressage title
Last Updated: 16/08/16 2:49pm
Charlotte Dujardin claimed a gold medal for Great Britain after successfully defending the Olympic individual dressage title.
The 31-year-old set an Olympic record Grand Prix freestyle score of 93.857 per cent on Valegro, pulling clear of her nearest rivals, to add her third Olympic gold medal.
Germany's Isabell Werth finished second on Wiehegold and her compatriot Kristina Broring-Sprehe took the bronze with Desperados, while Britain's Carl Hester finished seventh on Nip Tuck.
Dujardin's score was comfortably higher than her gold-medal winning tally at London 2012, which was also set on Valegro, and was her third highest of all-time.
The Gloucestershire-based rider joins eventer Richard Meade as the most successful British Olympic equestrian rider with a hat-trick of golds.
Dujardin, who holds all three of the sport's world records, confirmed that Valegro is likely to be retired later this year.
"I knew he couldn't have done any more," she said. "It is really emotional.
"It is on the cards he is going to retire, and we will go home and make a plan.
"I went in there to enjoy it and give everything. He really looked after me in there and helped me.
"He is so magical. I can't even tell you what it is like to ride him. He has a heart of gold."
