A new world order

A dramatic and emotional evening wraps up the Tokyo dressage, with Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin making history

- POLLY BRYAN

NEVER, ever underestimate Charlotte Dujardin. That is the message many will take away from these Games after an individual final of dreams. To come to her third Olympics riding a young, inexperienced horse that until now many didn’t expect to be the one to succeed her great Valegro, and then claim a bronze medal to send her shooting into the history books is extraordinary.

For Charlotte and Gio, the adorable little chestnut gelding who wins everybody over with his friendly face, willing attitude and fun-loving demeanour, these Games – with their disrupted leadup and strange atmosphere – were set to serve as a stepping stone on the road to Paris 2024.

But when it came down to it, Charlotte helped to shape a night of sport that had every ingredient of a classic Olympic episode. There was exultation, devastation, agonising tension as the result came down to the very final salute, and a great many tears. For all its strangeness, the grand finale of the Tokyo Olympic dressage proved to be a vintage evening.