Concerns Over Combinations Yet To Qualify For Tokyo

Shows’ cancelling and travel issues have led to some not yet achieving necessary scores

- Polly Bryan

Carl Hester is among riders still trying to qualify for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, owing to event cancellations and travel restrictions.

Five-time Olympian Carl is not yet qualified to compete at the Games, due to run this July, with his current top horse En Vogue.

Qualification criteria involve combinations achieving a grand prix score of 66% from a five-star judge of a different nationality, and as an average from all judges, at two eligible FEI events between 1 January 2019 and 21 June 2021. As Carl only took over the ride on 12-year-old Vogue from owner Charlotte Dujardin in February 2020, his fourth place with 76.5% at the Keysoe CDI in October 2020 is the pair’s only international grand prix result.

NEW COMBINATIONS

CHARLOTTE is in the same boat with her newest grand prix horse, Gio. The 10-year-old made his debut at the level nationally in January 2020, but has also only competed internationally at Keysoe, where they were second in the grand prix with 79.35%. Charlotte is, however, qualified with her world bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle.