What an end to an absolutely amazing year for dressage
20th December 2012
Last year was my first time photographing at Olympia, the London International Horse Show, and it was so exciting to have a British winner of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Qualifier in Laura Bechtolsheimer.
The next day, I sat next to Charlotte Dujardin at the British Equestrian Writers' Association Annual Lunch & Awards. Charlotte was incredulous that she'd won the grand prix and finished second in the World Cup qualifier on her debut at the show, in her first year competing at grand prix level and second grand prix freestyle ever.
One year on, Charlotte has not only won TWO Olympic gold medals - the first time in the history of the sport that Brits have won any kind of Olympic dressage medal - but she also won this year's grand prix at Olympia with a new world record score of more than 84% and then went on to win the World Cup qualifier.
How on earth do you follow a year like that?
You can view my pictures from Olympia here.
The next day, I sat next to Charlotte Dujardin at the British Equestrian Writers' Association Annual Lunch & Awards. Charlotte was incredulous that she'd won the grand prix and finished second in the World Cup qualifier on her debut at the show, in her first year competing at grand prix level and second grand prix freestyle ever.
One year on, Charlotte has not only won TWO Olympic gold medals - the first time in the history of the sport that Brits have won any kind of Olympic dressage medal - but she also won this year's grand prix at Olympia with a new world record score of more than 84% and then went on to win the World Cup qualifier.
How on earth do you follow a year like that?
You can view my pictures from Olympia here.