The sun was shining at Dressage at Hickstead this afternoon as the World Dressage Masters CDI5* Grand Prix got underway. It was an afternoon in which we saw the who's who of world class dressage perform, but most importantly, it also brought home just how strong the Team GB dressage squad has become. Watch our interview with Richard Davison below on what today's win means for Team GB (he also shows us his pants... Those with a sensitive disposition be warned!).

King Carl rules the class

Emma Hindle took an early lead with the popular Lancet, which she maintained well into the second half of the start list. But when Carl Hester rode in on the Metall sired Uthopia it was all change. The impressive and expressive stallion scored nines for his extended trot and ended on a score of 80.872%.

"It was milestone for me to get over 80% in a Grand Prix," Carl said. "I hope his owner Sasha Stewart keeps breeding and having children so I can keep riding the horse!" Watch our interview with Carl below. 

Adelinde and Parzival shine

There were few who could threaten Carl's lead, but H&C waited with baited breath for the experienced and long-term partnership of Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival to enter the arena. They did not disappoint, with an accurately ridden test. A mistake in the first pirouette was costly though, gaining marks of just six. Adelinde finished second with 79.298%. Watch our interview with Adelinde below. 

Charlotte takes on her boss

Carl Hester's stable jockey Charlotte Dujardin once again proved what an exciting prospect she is for the future of British dressage. As she entered riding the Negro sired Valegro, a horse owned by Carl Hester, the stands filled up with many making a special effort to see this popular combination.

"It was nice that we did it at home where everyone could see," Charlotte said. Both Charlotte and Valegro looked cool, calm and collected throughout their test and it paid off, earning them 78.255% and third place. Watch our interview with Charlotte below.

H&C will be Tweeting all of the action from the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle from the World Dressage Masters tomorrow and we'll upload video interviews with the winners after the classes. 

Video interviews with Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Adelinde Cornelissen and Richard Davison