​The World of Dressage

The United Kingdom

The Record of a World Champion

 

Beginning her riding career at age two, Charlotte Dujardin grew up on the back of a horse in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Charlotte won her first award at age three and has grown to be the most successful rider in the world.

 

At age twenty two, Charlotte began training under Carl Hester -- a world respected dressage rider. After ten days, Hester spotted Charlotte's incredible talent for the sport and offered a grooming position at his barn. Since then, Charlotte has gone on to be a trainer at Hester's barn in Newent, Gloucestershire.

 

In 2011, Charlotte was introduced to the gelding Valegro and was asked to bring him along in his training. Although originally intended to be Hester's next Grand Prix mount, Valegro built a formidable bond with Charlotte instead.

 

"It's a feeling that he trusts me and we have such a great partnership... It's like his body just let go and that was incredible to have that feeling and that's when you know you've got a real partner underneath you and he trusts you. 

-Charlotte Dujardin

 

In April of 2012, Charlotte and Valegro went on to win the Grand Prix Special at the Hagen CDI4* Dressage Competition, setting the world record score of 88.022%. 

 

The pair went on to represent Great Britian in the 2012 London Olympics, bringing home both the Team and Individual Gold Medal in dressage. Charlotte and Valegro's success did not stop there.

 

In 2013 Charlotte and Valegro set two World Records. At the European Championships in Herning, Denmark, Charlotte set the record for the Grand Prix with a score of 85.94%.  At the Olympia CDI Charlotte won the Grand Prix Freestyle with an astonishing 93.975%. This is the highest score in dressage history. 

 

In 2013, Charlotte was Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism.

 

These achievements caught the eyes of not only inspired riders, but also possible buyers of the fantastic gelding. For 18 months, Valegro was put on the market bringing in hundreds of offers. However, at the end of 2013, Hester (a co-owner of Valegro) decided that it was unfair to Charlotte to give away her mount and that Valegro deserved to stay where he was.

 

“What a great end to my year to hear Blueberry and I will stay together forever,”

- Charlotte Dujardin

 

With the joyful news of forever with Valegro, Carlotte trained with a weight lifted of her shoulders; her new found lightness did wonders.

 

In April of 2014, Charlotte beat her own World Record at Grand Prix with a 87.129%% at the FEI World Cup Finals in Lyon.

 

Charlotte is the first and only rider to hold all three World Records and titles at the same time.

 

Over the past three years, Charlotte and Valegro has blown the world away with their success. Their love is unconditional and unmatched by any other horse and rider pair. Charlotte never ceases to amaze the dressage world. Her and Valegro are truely in a class of their own.

 

"He is a gift from above this horse."

- Charlotte Dujardin