Charlotte Fry (GBR) Impresses Home Crowd with Glamourdale to Win London Freestyle

The wonderful venue at London’s ExCeL centre was transformed into a Christmas wonderland, extending to the crowd’s lively enthusiasm. Spectators clapped along to the music during the final lines of many routines, and Fry’s home performance alongside Glamourdale (owned by the athlete and Van Olst Horses) drew the loudest cheers. “I cannot thank the audience enough for their support,” Fry said. “Not just now, but also throughout our journey to Paris and during the Olympic Games. It’s emotional to be riding here in England again.”

Van Liere sets the bar high

Earlier tonight, Dinja van Liere (NED) had set the bar high with an energetic freestyle aboard the chestnut gelding Hartsuijker (owned by Jan Pieter Dalsem). The Dutch athlete delivered a precise routine free of errors, with the passage, flying changes, and pirouettes particularly shining. Her 80.225% score elevated her from sixth in the Grand Prix to third in the Freestyle rankings.

Fellow Dutch athlete Marieke van der Putten rode Torveslettens Titanium RS2 N.O.P. (owned by Jacques Lemmens and Saskia Lemmens-Reijnen) directly after the break, but couldn’t catch up with Van Liere’s score: their polished piaffe- and passage tour made them finish seventh with 77.615%. Their Dutch compatriot Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Toto Jr. (owned by Glock Hpc NL B.V. and Nicole Werner) did not surpass the 80% they achieved earlier this season in Lyon. The duo settled for sixth place with 78.900%.

Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN) also displayed technical precision aboard the active Blue Hors St. Schufro. Despite a spirited ride, the black stallion could settle down a bit more in the environment. They scored 79.910% for fifth place.
High expectations for Moody and Jagerbomb

The crowd’s anticipation peaked when Becky Moody (GBR) entered the arena with her home-bred gelding Jagerbomb. Smiling broadly, Moody began her Beatles-themed freestyle with high expectations after their Grand Prix win. However, her smile faded when Jagerbomb faltered in the canter pirouette, breaking into trot while riding out and taking a moment to recover. Despite this, they delivered a lovely trot tour, with their beautiful connection and steady contact earning them 80.160% and fourth place. 

Isabel Freese (NOR), riding Total Hope OLD, entered the arena as the last competitor. The black stallion has an extraordinary pedigree: sired by Totilas and out of Isabell Werth’s former champion Weihegold OLD. Their piaffe and passage were executed with metronomic precision, and despite an error in the two-tempi changes, the pair’s dynamic Sher-freestyle earned them a personal best of 83.270% and second place. 

“This exceeds all my expectations,” said an emotional Freese after the ride. “I am so proud. It has always been a dream to compete here. I’ve just been eight weeks out of the saddle after a surgery, which made this result even more special. My groom took exceptional care of Total Hope, and perhaps the break was beneficial for both of us. He is in fantastic form.”

Van Liere was equally pleased with her ride on Hartsuijker. “He felt amazing, though he was a bit tense during the warm-up due to the noise. But once we entered the arena, he settled and gave me a wonderful ride,” she reflected.

Glamourdale Feels Like Flying

It was, however, Charlotte Fry who had the most to celebrate. The reigning World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist was competing in London for the first time since the Olympic Games in Paris. After mistakes in the double-counting pirouettes during the Grand Prix, Fry was focused on delivering a flawless Freestyle. The 28-year-old guided the imposing Glamourdale through their ‘Best of Britain’ freestyle, set entirely to British songs, which delighted the home crowd. Glamourdale’s piaffe and passage were rhythmic and light, and his canter tour, as always, was breathtaking. A minor error in the one-time changes and a touch of tension in the two-time changes were mere blips in an otherwise stellar performance. Their score of 86.645% was more than enough to secure victory.

“This was the perfect end to the year for Glammie and me,” Fry beamed after the prize-giving ceremony. “It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before. He was absolutely on fire, and performing like this on home soil is incredible. Riding him feels like flying.” Fry revealed that Glamourdale had enjoyed a short holiday after Paris before being trained up again with London in mind. “He was a little tense yesterday when we entered the arena, but his excitement is a good thing. He’s fresh and still improving,” she explained. Looking ahead, Fry remains undecided about her plans for the rest of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season.

The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier takes place in Mechelen, Belgium, on 28-29 December. So don’t miss a hoofbeat…

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