The 2016 CDI-W London is all about Valegro's retirement and that was even more highlight when the horse's team of three was decorated with three awards on Tuesday night 13 December 2016.
A new trophy has joined the British Dressage collection: the "International Champions of Great Britain" was presented for the first time tonight by President Jennie Loriston-Clarke and awarded to the highest placed British combination at the respective Championship of the year. Fittingly, the inaugural winner was Olympic champion Valegro (by Negro x Gershwin).
Valegro made his first UK public appearance since winning his third Olympic gold medal in Rio, much to the delight of the packed crowd. Fans were treated to a Q&A session with Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, questions for which were submitted in advance by members of the audience. Charlotte and Valegro also demonstrated a couple of the moves that gave them such phenomenal success in the competition arena.
At the end of that session the three awards were bestowed on Valegro's co-owner Carl Hester, groom Alan Davies and rider; Dujardin.
The Lifetime Achievement Award to Valegro’s groom Alan Davies, presented by Chris Hewlett, the chairman of the British Grooms Association. The British Horse Society Fellowship Award went to Carl Hester, presented by Lynn Petersen, Tessa Martin-Bird and Julia David from The British Horse Society, while the British Dressage Award went to Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin received the trophy from Jennie Loriston-Clarke.
Photo © Jon Stroud
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