Davison on a Mission at 2012 World Dressage Masters in Munich

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2012 CDI Munich

As the final touches are made to the impressive arena of the former Munich Olympics, 1400 kms away long-time British dressage star Richard Davison is making his final preparations too. He is refining the training of his equine partner, the gorgeous looking Hiscox Artemis, owned by the Countess of Derby and John Dodd. The 12-year-old gelding has carved out a reputation on the European show circuit and has amassed his own band of loyal fans and followers.

And as we turn for the final sprint to this years Olympic Games, while Germany’s own dressage devotees will be cheering for their home riders, all British eyes will be sharply focused on Davison. Originally, it was planned that the triple Olympian would be accompanied by Britain’s latest young superstar Charlotte Dujardin and other British contenders, but now Davison will act as the sole flag bearer.

Hiscox Artemis is now regarded as a strong contender in any dressage competition no matter how strong, having returned impressive results in each of his last four FEI 5 star plus events. This has resulted in the pair jumping several places on the FEI’s all-important World Dressage Riders Ranking to become currently Britain’s fourth most successful dressage combination.

At last month’s 2012 World Cup Final they delivered personal bests in both the technical grand prix and freestyle to music tests. This was due to a high quality technical delivery especially in the piaffe and passage tour, which as reported on Eurodressage, was worthy of straight nines and tens. Their final results, given by the seven of the FEI’s highest status judges, left them in 5th place, only four places behind the World Number one Adelinde Cornelisson and Parzival.

And let's not underestimate the importance of the World Cup Final. To reflect the strength of the competition the FEI equate Davison’s results are equivalent to more than 75% in any other grand prix and 80% for the kur as far as their world rankings are concerned.
Lets just see how high Davison and Artemis can climb.