Charlotte Dujardin inspires Great Britain to dressage silver in Germany
Last Updated: 14/08/15 1:38am
Reigning Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin inspired Great Britain's dressage team to a silver medal at the FEI European Championships in Germany on Thursday.
The world No 1, riding her brilliant London 2012 horse Valegro, posted a score of 83.029 per cent that ensured Britain's place on the podium.
But despite 30-year-old Dujardin recording the highest individual total over two days of team tests, it was not quite enough to deny Holland European gold, while Germany finished third.
The British quartet of Dujardin, Fiona Bigwood (Atterupgaards Orthilia), Carl Hester (Nip Tuck) and Michael Eilberg (Marakov) finished on a total score of 234.229 - Eilberg's mark was dropped as Britain's lowest individual contribution - but Holland managed 235.629 to claim their first European title since winning at Windsor Castle six years ago.
Britain, though, have now won team medals at the last four European Championships - a gold, two silver and a bronze - while they arrived in Aachen knowing that qualification for next year's Rio Olympics had already been secured.
Reflecting on her test, Dujardin said: "I had a problem on the zig-zag that was completely my fault, and then I think I still had that on my mind when I went into the changes, so then I had a mistake in the changes.
"I am a little bit disappointed with that, but the beginning felt really good.
"I don't think there are many horses that have gone in and not had a mistake. We all went in to try our best and enjoy it."
And Hester, who joined Dujardin in helping Britain secure Olympic team gold three years ago, provided further evidence of Nip Tuck's potential building towards Rio next summer.
"He is so consistent," Hester said. "He is a horse that has never had under 70 per cent, and I am really happy with how he is going.
"A lot of horses had issues in the arena, so for a horse that is very young to go in there and have just a couple of minor mistakes, I am delighted with him. His impression is just so great, with his size and his look, his presence that he has."
All four British riders now go forward to Saturday's grand prix special final, with the top 15 from that contesting Sunday's grand prix freestyle medals. Dujardin won both individual titles in Denmark two years ago.
