The inimitable combination of the Netherlands’ Edward Gal and the wonder horse Moorlands Totilas astounded crowds this evening at Olympia’s grand prix freestyle.

He once again broke the world record with a mesmerising performance to score 92.3%. The horse looked the picture of a happy athlete, and the combination rode to the music score with total perfection.

They were more than ten per cent in front of their nearest rivals.

The Dutch rider and his stallion by Gribaldi performed a faultless routine to secure first place and a standing ovation from an awed audience.

Securing second place with 82.05 per cent was Gal’s team mate Adelinde Cornelissen and the Jazz sired Parzival, but fans were pleased to see Great Britain’s Carl Hester and Liebling II take third on 78.45 per cent with a crowd pleasing routine to a Tom Jones melody. The horse’s pirouettes were particularly good.

Fourth spot also went to Great Britain, in the form of Laura Becholsheimer and her second horse, Andretti. The pair looked to be enjoying themselves and the horse was lifted by the music to perform fabulous passage and half passes.

Richard Davison secured fifth place on the young Hiscox Artemis who showed lovely half passes but seemed a little unsettled in the mouth. Richard rode the horse considerately and the pair are definitely one to watch next season.

The scores were as follows:

1. Edward Gal (Moorlands Totilas) 92.3 per cent
2. Adelinde Cornelissen (Parzival) 82.05 per cent
3. Carl Hester (Liebling II) 78.45 per cent
4. Laura Bechtolsheimer (Andretti H) 77.35 per cent
5. Richard Davidson (Hiscox Artemis) 75.150 per cent
6. Catherine Haddad (Cadillac) 73.6 per cent
7. Jeroen Devroe (Apollo van het Vijver) 72.250 per cent
8. Christa Laarakkers (Ovation) 72.200 per cent
9. Henriette Andersen (Louis D’Or) 70.2 per cent
10. Stephanie Croxford (Mr President) 69.7 per cent
11. Marc Boblet (Whitni Star) 69.65 per cent
12. Judy Harvey (Fitzcerraldo) 69 per cent
13. Anne van Olst (Exquis Clearwater) 67.85 per cent.