Lottie Fry seals British team qualification in Paris

After an outstanding start yesterday by Carl Hester and Olympic first-timer Becky Moody, this morning, on the second day of Grand Prix, Lottie Fry and Glamourdale sealed Great Britain’s qualification for the Paris 2024 team medal finals. With all three Brits through to the Individual medal final too, there’s much to celebrate within the British camp.

Drawn first to go this morning in one of the strongest of six groups, the 28-year-old reigning world champion presented a test of great composure with Van Olst Horses’ flagship stallion Glamourdale who looked in his element against the stunning backdrop of the Palace of Versailles. A test full of class, showing superb two-tempis and one-tempis, just with some costly tension in the reinback, was awarded five 10s, four of which were for Glamourdale’s commanding extended canter. 

A final mark of 78.913% for the British pair proved to be the score to beat, bettered only by Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour with Freestyle (80.792%) and Germany’s Isabell Werth and Wendy (79.363%), in an exceptionally competitive Group D.

“To go first on day two is always a little bit more challenging, but I think Glamourdale doesn’t know that and he still went in there like the champion he is,” commented Lottie about the Lord Leatherdale x Negro 13-year-old. “It’s a test we’ve done many, many times, but it’s an important test for us with it being a qualifier for the team and the individual, so I think what we’ve done – the whole team - is put ourselves in a really good place.”

About her test today, Lottie said; “We had a little moment in the rein back, which was a shame, but apart from that I couldn’t fault it. He really gave everything. I had a great ride, a great feeling, and he just loved it. I think you could see that by his face at the end when everyone was cheering for him. He just loved every second of it. It’s really an honour to ride down the centre line at the Olympics in Paris.

“It was an amazing feeling, and the test was just what we needed to do today," continued Lottie. "I’m very happy with it. It was a very good round and I couldn’t ask for much more to be honest. Our whole team this past two days has performed amazingly, and really put us in a good position for the weekend.

“I feel like we can really bring some more in the Special and Freestyle, which are his tests. He loves those tests, so I’m hoping it’s going to be an exciting weekend for him. Medals are always in your thoughts, but my main priority is that we do what we can. We’re at the Olympics and we’ve got this far, and I just want to enjoy my rides.”

Thanks to the efforts of Carl and Fame, Becky and Jagerbomb, and Lottie and Glamourdale, Great Britain sits third on the team standings on a total of 231.196 after two days of Grand Prix competition, therefore comfortably qualifies for Saturday’s Grand Prix Special team medal showdown featuring the best ten teams. Germany finished top of the table on 237.546, with Denmark close begind on 235.730.

Congratulations to all three British riders on their sterling performances. With Becky finishing at the top of Group C, and Carl and Lottie part of the six highest scores outside of direct qualification, all three qualify for Sunday’s Individual medal final, the Grand Prix Freestyle. 

FULL RESULTS

Photo © Łukasz Kowalski