Charlotte's clean sweep

Olympic hopefuls in action while Natasha Baker makes a winning return and Carl debuts his latest superstar

- BECKY MURRAY

“IT FELT like one of the best grand prix tests we’ve done,” said Charlotte Dujardin, who stole the show with a hat-trick of wins in the Hickstead CDI3* competition, scoring a superb one-two in the grand prix with her Paris hopeful Imhotep and second-string ride Alive And Kicking.

Charlotte and 11-year-old Imhotep (Pete) produced an 80.87% test, while 10-year-old Alive And Kicking (Audrey) – at only her fourth grand prix – scored a new international personal best of 77.37%.

“Pete was fantastic and he gets stronger all the time. Before it felt quite difficult to put it all together but now it feels so much easier. He was quite fresh and excited at Hagen last month, so it was nice to come and fine-tune those bits and pieces,” said Charlotte, who was equally delighted with Audrey.

“For her to reach 77% is quite amazing. She did a mistake-free test, and although she doesn’t really know what she’s doing yet, she’s very rideable and stays with you in the test, which I love.”

Charlotte said there was a “pat the pony, slap the rider” moment in the special when she and Imhotep had a blip in their one-time tempi changes; nevertheless their performance earned them 81.36%, with Carl Hester and the 14-year-old powerhouse stallion Fame second on 78.66%, having been third in the grand prix.