The Dutch duo of Edward Gal and Totilas were once again unbeatable in today’s dressage FEI World Cup qualifier at Olympia.

The black stallion by Gribaldi produced another commanding test and scored a whopping 83.660%. The horse received a standing ovation from the crowd during the prize giving, causing many to wonder if the combination are a guaranteed gold in 2012.

“He was a little tense coming into the arena,” said Edward. “But after the walk he settled and the test was really good.”

Second place also went to Holland, in the form of Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival with a score of 81.277%. The crowd were transfixed as the scores for each movement were shown in comparison to leader Edward Gal’s, with many scores identical. Parzival demonstrated a particularly good passage, but seemed to change colour during prize giving when Adelinde appeared on a bay rather than the chestnut Parzival!

Brits took the next two placings, with third place going to Great Britain’s Carl Hester with Liebling II with 72.213 per cent, who performed an accurate and fault free test.

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Andretti H were in fourth place on 70.766 per cent. Laura’s test was very accurate and consistent, with expression in the piaffe but appeared a little sticky in the pirouettes.

The top ten of the 13 competitors were:
1. Edward Gal (Moorlands Totilas) 83.660 per cent.
2. Adelinde Cornelissen (Parzival) 81.277 per cent.
3. Carl Hester (Leibling II) 72.213 per cent.
4. Laura Bechtolsheimer (Andretti H) 70.766 per cent.
5. Catherine Haddad (Cadillac) 69.660 per cent.
6. Richard Davidson (Hiscox Artemis) 69.447 per cent.
7. Jeroen Devroe (Apollo van Het Vijver) 69.298 per cent.
8. Judith Harvey (Fitzcerralso) 67.745 per cent.
9. Stephanie Croxford (Mr President) 67.362 per cent.
10. Marc Boblet (Whitni Star) 65.83 per cent.

H&C will bring you a report from tomorrow’s Kur as soon as the event finishes. Check back to Horse news to read the latest on Olympia, the London International Horse Show as it happens.