Totilas and Gal scale new heights at Olympia
December 16, 2009
Their last record score, only four months old, bit the dust as Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas reached new heights tonight scoring over 92%, a new record freestyle score, to win the FEI World Cup Grand Prix freestyle qualifier at Olympia, The London International Horse Show.
A full house witnessed the 39-year-old rider and his nine-year-old Dutch-bred stallion, produce an immaculate and dramatic foot-perfect test of seamless transitions, rhythmic elastic gaits and off the floor paces.
“It felt like a fairytale – all I have to do is to point the way and he does it,” said Edward who maintains that Totilas is just a normal horse. “He is so easy going and hopefully he will stay that way but I do think he enjoys the attention.” British judge Stephen Clarke presided over the ground jury. “At Windsor we thought we were so lucky to witness that level of dressage and tonight it was simply amazing to see that they could produce even better,” said Stephen.
Last year’s winners Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival could only look on in admiration and despite scoring over 82% had to settle for second place. The tall leggy chestnut was however not so settled and at times became spooky producing a difficult ride at times for Adelinde. “Last night he felt really good and tonight was not the easiest but I never play for second and at least I was able to carry on riding him which wouldn’t have happened that long ago.”
The British combination of Carl Hester and Liebling took third place with a solid test to medley of Tom Jones music. “After Windsor I didn’t really think there was much more to come but to gain another 5% is just great the difference is that Edward points his horse and I push mine.”
Stephen Clarke and the judges were full of praise for the level of dressage produced at Olympia. “These riders have brought the sport to a level we have never seen before and we should congratulate them – you don’t need to be an expert to see what they are doing is brilliant.”
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