Charlotte Dujardin marked her first major championship with new horse Mount St John Freestyle with an individual medal in the Helgstrand Dressage Grand Prix Special at the FEI World Equestrian Games.
In the event in Tryon, North Carolina, Dujardin finished on the podium with the nine-year-old mare, with whom she is now riding following the retirement of Valegro in 2016.
After earning a bronze in the team event the previous day, Dujardin was the top British performer in the individual, earning bronze behind Germany’s Isabell Werth and home favourite Laura Graves.
And Dujardin could not have been happier at the way the new combination is working out following the bronze.
She said: “I’m absolutely delighted! She’s only nine and that was just her third [Grand Prix] Special. I knew going in I had nothing to lose and rode her every inch of the way.
“That feeling I had in the arena was amazing and for me, it didn’t matter if the test won me a medal as I knew she’d given me everything.”
Carl Hester was the next best British performer, taking ninth place on Hawtins Delicato while Emile Faurie finished 27th.
The action continues on Sunday in the freestyle, with Dujardin revealing that she will be trying new music for the event.
She added: “I have new music but I’m keeping it under wraps for now. I love it though and have chosen something quite girly to suit her.
“I’ve never done a three test show with her so I’m not sure what she’ll have left in the tank but she’s such a trier. She’ll have an easy day tomorrow and then see what Sunday brings.”
Sportsbeat 2018