Florentina, who qualified at the Mount Ballan Summer Regional Championships, claimed the Shearwater Five-Year-Old Championship here last year and has since won every Medium class contested, even breaking the 80% barrier. The exquisite mare has caught the eye of many and looks to be an exciting prospect for the future. Charlotte later revealed that Florentina has an embryo transfer foal on the way by Negro.
Achieving the highest score of the four-day competition and her fourth title of the Championships, Charlotte and Mount St John Freestyle reigned supreme in yesterday’s Equine Construction Advanced Medium.
Charlotte and the Mount St John Stud-owned seven-year-old daughter of Fidermark scored an incredible 78.82%, more than six percent ahead of the rest of the field in a super-hot Championship final where nine competitors breached the 70% barrier. Freestyle is a cracker – the complete package – and great asset to Charlotte’s arsenal of horsepower. Charlotte said of Freestyle:
“She has a complete heart of gold. She always tries her hardest and she finds the work so easy.”
The beautiful bay mare moved through each element of the test with great poise and effortless expression. Expertly ridden by Charlotte, the high quality work raked in the marks from five judges.
Aboard Carl Hester’s six-year-old mare, Brioso II (Benetton Dream x Dimaggio), Charlotte took an early lead in the Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold Championship with her impressive score of 75.88%. Unable to topple the eventual champion but producing a brilliant test to score 73.47%, second place went to Paul Hayler with the six-year-old Vivaldi-sired gelding, FJ Veyron – owned by Fiona James.
Charlotte had an incredibly busy schedule over the four days combining her rides with the demands of press interviews and appearances. She laughed:
“I’m delighted I’ve remembered every test! On Saturday I got on my first horse at 6.45am and didn’t get off until six in the evening. I’m so pleased with how it’s gone, it’s really good for the owners. They’re all different horses and they’re a little green at their levels but they’ve all performed so well.”
It’s exciting for Charlotte and British dressage that she has such a wealth of young horsepower waiting in the wings.
“After the announcement of Valegro’s retirement, people think that’s it for me but I’m very lucky to have fantastic owners behind me and these talented young horses to compete.”
Last night, Charlotte headed off to New York with Valegro to perform a freestyle demo at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. She told British Dressage yesterday:
“I go to the airport this evening and fly to New York in the morning. Valegro is already on his way. It’s in Central Park so I’m really excited. Everyone loves to see Valegro and I’m always amazed at the emotion he creates in people. I’m really looking forward to it.”
