last updated on July 28, 2009 17:21

In the conclusion of an exciting week of dressage at Hickstead, Dutch rider Edward Gal and nine year old stallion Moorland’s Totilas delivered the goods and set a world record score of 89.40% for first in the Freestyle at Hickstead CDI5* Equis World Dressage Masters.

Edward Gal commented on the win, “Totilas gave me a wonderful feeling. Wow—what a horse! Only in the one tempi changes a mistake occurred. This happened to us in our first international contest CHIO Rotterdam as well, in which I tried to correct it. This time I thought I’d just leave it, so I did.” Chairman of the Judges Stephen Clarke said he had never seen a test like this before. And for the nine year old stallion, it seems certain there is still more to come. View Edward Gal's freestyle performance on the player below courtesy of Horse and Country TV.

For the Dutch Hickstead was the final nomination chance for the team at the European Championships in Windsor. Edward Gal still needed a minimum Grand Prix result of 64% to be allowed to compete at the championships. With Totilas he reached 15% more with a 79.75% in Grand Prix, followed by his unofficial world record score of 89.40% in the Freestyle.

British riders had their work cut out against the dominating Dutch, but managed to post impressive scores amidst the tough competition. Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris took third place in the Grand Prix on 76.26% with fellow Brits Maria Eilberg and Two Sox taking ninth on 68.68% and Fiona Bigwood and Wie Atlantico finishing 11th on 67.87%.

Laura continued her good form riding her brand new Freestyle created by Cees Slings for third with 81.80%. Also in the Freestyle Fiona Bigwood and Wie Atlantico captured sixth place on 71.20%.

American Leslie Morse and Tip Top topped the field in the Special on 71. 67% for the win. Maria Eilberg and Two Sox finished third on 67.63%. Following Maria in the Special, Judy Harvey and Fitzcerraldo finished seventh on 66.83% with Sarah-Jane Elmsie and Wellington Masterplan placing 11th on 64.63% and Jane Gregory and Lucky Star coming in 12th on 64.50%.

Viewed as an overwhelming success, the competition saw a continuous buzz throughout the week and with competitors present as strong as Edward Gal and Totilas, the crowd responded in kind with an emotional standing ovation after Totilas’ stunning Freestyle. With such remarkable performances and growing enthusiasm, one can only look forward to Windsor and the promise of amazing things in store for dressage in Britain.

Pictured above: Edward Gal and Totilas, Photo courtesy of Caroline Finch


For the full results from Hickstead click here