Wellington, Fla. – Dec. 21, 2018 – One of the most highly anticipated events of the year, Olympia, The London International Horse Show, is underway and Horse & Country TV (H&C TV) has been onsite all week working to bring you all of the action from the FEI Dressage, Jumping and Driving World Cup™ events in London!
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ competition will premiere first on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. EST followed by the FEI Jumping World Cup™ and FEI Driving World Cup™ competitions on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 8 p.m. EST and 9 p.m. EST, respectively. Join H&C TV today to see how it all unfolds!
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ kicked off the week’s schedule of events with Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) winning the Grand Prix on Monday aboard the 10-year-old black stallion Glock’s Dream Boy N.O.P. with a score of 73.89 percent.
Monday’s competition also debuted the newly designed Grand Prix format, which includes a shorter test and requires athletes to dismount after the test and be interviewed in the arena before the judges’ scores are revealed in an effort to actively engage the audience and broaden the discipline’s appeal.
British judge Stephen Clarke admitted the new, shortened test was “quite difficult” as the movements came up quickly.
“It is undoubtedly easier to judge than ride, but the evening as a whole was great,” said Clarke. “There was a good crowd and you could really feel the interest and enthusiasm — it was a good evening for the sport.”
On Tuesday, all 12 competitors advanced to the Grand Prix Freestyle, where both Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Germany’s Frederic Wandres were awarded an 80.03 percent in the sixth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League. However, in the end, Wandres and the aptly named Duke of Britain, who finished third in Monday’s Grand Prix with a score of 72.63 percent, achieved higher artistic marks and were announced the winners.
Dujardin, who also came in second place in the Grand Prix, was riding Carl Hester’s Hawtins Delicato as her top ride Mount St John Freestyle is recovering from a cough.
“I was really happy with [Hawtins Delicato],” said Dujardin. “He’s a young, inexperienced horse. I literally got on him three weeks ago. I didn’t know what to expect from him in this environment but I’m pleased with [his performance]. There’s so much more to come from him.”
Sign-up for H&C TV’s weekly and monthly TV newsletters to stay in the loop and subscribe to start watching today at the link below:
Available in the U.S. on Roku, mobile apps and at www.horseandcountrytv.us, H&C TV is committed to bringing world-class live coverage of top equestrian sports from around the world to U.S. audiences as well as entertaining and insightful television programs featuring the sport’s most renowned athletes. Offering hundreds of shows focused on horses, equestrian sport and the country lifestyle, ranging from training tips and advice to behind-the-scenes looks into the daily lives of elite athletes, H&C TV has something for every horse lover to enjoy.
About Horse & Country TV:
Horse & Country TV (H&C TV) is the premier international multi-screen network catering to the equestrian and country lifestyle. The award-winning network offers subscribers access to thrilling equestrian sport, masterclasses, documentaries and more, with new shows available to stream every week on your TV, mobile or tablet devices. H&C TV broadcasts in Europe, Australia and in the United States on cable, satellite and broadband television, including Roku, and online at www.horseandcountrytv.us.
