Carl Hester’s impressive performance at these Olympic Games continued today as he secured himself a place in the final freestyle round of the dressage competition.
The 37-year-old, with his horse Escapado, followed up on his outstanding team display with another nerveless test in the first round of the individual final, known as the Grand Prix Special.
His score of 71.553 per cent saw him occupy fourth place for much of the morning until some fine performances late on, but it was still more than enough to secure ninth place, well inside the top 15 finish required to progress to the final freestyle round.
”I am absolutely thrilled with that,” said Hester. ”In a competition six weeks ago, I was last and now I am in the Olympic final.
”He (Escapado) is hugely talented, just a fantastic horse. His only problem is that he is not very experienced and that is where the errors come.
Advertisement
”That was where we had difficulty today but he is so talented that he able to overcome that. There is nothing that he cannot do.”
However, Hester may find the Grand Prix Freestyle round one step too far for his young horse making its Olympic debut.
With a number of strong combinations ahead of him a dream medal may prove out of reach for the three-time national champion.
”I wasn’t expecting to be in this position so we are going to have to think carefully about the programme,” admitted Hester.
”Normally I don’t use music with him because he gets very nervous and that means it will have to be a fairly simple programme.
Advertisement
”It might be that I use Richard Davison’s programme, but we will have to make that decision later.”
Hester will get that choice after Davison missed out on qualifying for the final stage as he finished 22nd with a score of 67.351 per cent.