One day after the announcement of the British Olympic Dressage Team and Charlotte Dujardin's nomination with her second horse Gio, instead of her number one Mount St. John Freestyle, the mare's owner has issued a statement.
"Gio is the Horse for the Team"
Dujardin was expected to be nominated on her 2018 WEG individual bronze medal winning mare Mount St John Freestyle, a 12-year old Hanoverian mare by Fidermark x Donnerhall, owned by Emma Blundell of Mount St. John.
Throughout the 2021 show season, Freestyle had been Dujardin's higher scoring horse, although Gio was on her heels.
Yesterday, the British Equestrian Federation announced Gio's nomination on the team. Dujardin only explained Freestyle staying home as following: "we feel Gio is the horse for the team, for these Games."
Not Sufficiently Fit
Today, owner Emma Blundell stated on her social media that, "we are devastated that she (Freestyle)’s not maintained sufficient fitness to cope with the long travel and extreme climate required to perform to her best. It has been decided together with Charlotte, Carl Hester the vets and selectors that she should be saved for a later date."
Blundell continued, "we are delighted that Charlotte has had a super Olympic campaign with both her horses and think Gio will be an excellent contender for the Games! We wish them & the entire GB team the very best of luck!! We are sad due to Covid rules that we will not be able to attend in person to spectate & support Team GB."
Photo © Petra Kerschbaum
Related Links
British Dressage Team for 2021 Olympic Games Announced
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2021 Olympic Games