Hester deploys super duo

Carl Hester steals the show with his newest superstar and the long-awaited return of his Olympic partner

- ELEANOR JONES

I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival, Hickstead, W Sussex

CARL HESTER admits he is “not the keenest competitor in the world”, but the sun was shining at Hickstead, he enjoyed himself and his horses went beautifully, so he’s happy. He pulled off a superb hattrick, winning the CDI3* grand prix and grand prix special on relatively new ride Fame, and the Premier League grand prix on his Olympic and Europeans campaigner En Vogue.

Carl and Fame, who have been together less than six months, scored 76.33% to take the grand prix and 75.47% to win the special, nearly 6% ahead of Laura Tomlinson and DSP Rose Of Bavaria in second.

“He loved that,” Carl said, fresh from the special prizegiving. “It’s so nice for him to finish like that and be relaxed.”

The 13-year-old Bordeaux stallion, owned by Fiona, Mette and Penny Bigwood and Anders Dahl, had a couple of enthusiastic moments in the special, which Carl put down to his grand prix practice.

“Everything was in the left passage,” he said. “I’ve been so busy practising the grand prix, and in that it’s left passage to canter so he kept thinking, ‘When are we cantering?’ It was just because he was trying.

“He’s stunning to look at and he’s stunningly talented; he’s got it all.

“Yesterday, I couldn’t let go and today he had the rideability. He’s just such a cool horse to ride, he loves his life and I love him.”