GERMANY’s Frederic Wandres (31) and the aptly-named gelding Duke of Britain created a major sensation when reigning supreme in the sixth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup 2018/2019 Western European League at the London International Horse Show in Olympia last week.

Wandres, who rides for the world-famous Hof Kasselmann, produced a spectacular personal-best score of 80.030 on his way to victory and matched the result posted by British superstar Charlotte Dujardin (33) riding Hawtins Delicato to pin her into runner-up spot when achieving higher artistic marks.

“To reach the magical 80 percent is a real WOW for me!” said a delighted Frederic Wandres who is now listed in the German B squad going into 2019.

He only posted his very first big international win at the Central European League FEI Dressage World Cup qualifier in Zakrzow, Poland two months ago, but his consistently impressive performances with the 11-year-old Duke of Britain have not gone unnoticed.

Third-last to go in the field of 12, he broke the mould with Duke of Britain who was in his element.

“That’s his big plus – I can always trust him, he’s completely chilled and not at all spooky, and if I don’t make a mistake then he won’t either!” added Wandres.

When Dujardin was asked if she’d ever been beaten by another rider who posted exactly the same score, the three-time Olympic gold medallist replied, “no never – that’s the first time! It was extremely close and I feel like a joint-winner really!”

“I was really happy with Delicato, 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 and I’m pleased with our clear round, there’s so much more to come from him,” she said of the 10-year-old which, ridden by Hester, helped clinch team bronze for Britain at the FEI World Equestrian Games last September.

Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud and the 10-year-old stallion Glock’s Dream Boy NOP scored 77.990, good enough for third.

GRAND PRIX FORMAT

Olympia hosted the pilot for a shortened FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix, supported by Horse & Hound, including in-arena athlete interviews immediately after their test. Almost instant scoring, while the athletes were still in the arena, proved a real crowd-pleaser, and it was Hans Peter Minderhoud who came out on top, ahead of Dujardin in second and Wandres in third.