last updated on September 23, 2009 13:21

The Dutch proved untouchable in the individual grand prix freestyle of the Windsor European Championships 2009. They had threatened it in previous rounds and in the final dressage competition the music specialists ran away with the show; for the first time in the history of the sport, one country achieved a clean sweep of the medals.

The gold medal went to the sensational combination of Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas (pictured) who smashed their previous world record for an incredible score of 90.75%. Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival took silver on 87.35% and Anky van Grunsven, denied an individual medal in the special, came home in bronze medal position with 87.25%.

A valiant effort by the Brits saw three GB riders finish in the top ten. Individual bronze medallists in the special, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris rode a foot perfect freestyle to a specially composed Shadows medley for fourth position on 81.75%, their score just 0.005% short of the British record they set at Hickstead.

Laura commented: "It was not so easy in there tonight; Alf found the atmosphere quite difficult to deal with and some mistakes crept in through tension but he still showed some spectacular work and I'm really happy! We've had such a great week, the crowd are loving it and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. There's a serious vibe in there!"

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris

Emma Hindle and Lancet were also back on form, riding to eighth place on 76.05% commenting: "I'm very happy with him. This hasn't really been our Championships but I was very satisfied with myself and my horse today. It's a joy to ride in Windsor infront of a home crowd; when people whoop and cheer even as you come into the arena it shows the strength of dressage in Britain and everything UK Sport and World Class funding has done for the sport here. It's been an honour to ride here infront of these amazing people and in this amazing place."

Emma Hindle and Lancet 2

Carl Hester kept up his newly found confidence, achieving his third PB of the championships with the 12 year old gelding Liebling II to finish tenth on 75.90%. He commented: "The whole thing has been amazing, that was one of the nicest tests we've had. Not bad for him - and me! It was only the third time we'd ridden the freestyle so I'm delighted with the way it's turned out. Our music [Tom Jones] is a crowd pleaser and has some humour in it which suits us both."

Carl Hester and Liebling II

President of the ground jury Stephen Clarke commented: "We are all ecstatic at the quality of competition this week; tonight is the greatest sport we have ever seen in dressage. Congratulations to the riders and the organisers for making this the greatest dressage competition we've ever had."

The competition wraps up the final stage of the dressage in the magnificent grounds of Windsor Great Park. While the individual show jumping championship is decided tomorrow, tonight at least belongs to the Dutch.

For full results click here
Listen to audio interviews from all British riders, plus man of the moment Edward Gal and Stephen Clarke on the Team GBR website here
Read World Class Performance manager Will Connell's blog here