Adelinde Cornelissen, dubbed “the rising star of world dressage” by commentator Mike Tucker, won her second FEI World Cup qualifier in as many shows with ease at Olympia, the London International Horse Show, 16-17 December 2008.

 

The Dutch national champion and the 11-year-old Parzival by Jazz (pictured) won the qualifying grand prix class and went on to take the freestyle on 80.75%. They had a healthy lead over compatriot and Olympic silver medallist Hans Peter Minderhoud and Exquis Nadine on 77.5%.

 

A full-time English teacher until March, Cornelissen said: “Yesterday he was a little spooky, but today, already in the warm up he was great and, in the arena, he was perfect.”

 

British-based Finnish rider Kyra Kyrklund scored 77.15% to take third. She rode Max to a new classy freestyle entitled “Bitter Sweet Dream” with the most beautiful music based around the The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony.

 

In fourth, Laura Bechtolsheimer earned her highest freestyle score, 75.3%, with a country-western-blues mix by her brother Felix’s band, Hey Negrita.

 

Richard Davison unveiled his Elton John medley recorded by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He rode the youngest horse in the field, the nine-year-old Artemis, to finish sixth on 73.25% at his first attempt at a grand prix freestyle.

 

Carl Hester and Liebling II were close behind in seventh on 72.5%. His memorable Tom Jones compilation was original and humorous, finishing with the words “You can leave your hat on” as he saluted the judges.

 

Jodie Lister and Nicky only had short notice to compete here as Nicola McGivern was forced to withdraw suffering from gastric flu. Lister finished a creditable 11^th with 69.35% on the 13-year-old Dutch-bred gelding she has brought through the levels herself.

 

International judge and British Dressage chairman Jennie Loriston-Clarke was totally enthused by the high standard of the top combinations: “How exciting it is to give so many eights and nines; it was such fun to judge.”

During the evening, the Kbis Dressage Horse of the Year was awarded to Lancet, who finished fourth in the team test and seventh overall at the Olympics ridden by Emma Hindle (right). Hindle was recovering from major cancer surgery performed just weeks before the competition.

 

For the full results, click here.