Team GB announces equestrian dressage team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Three rider and horse combinations and a travelling reserve have been named by the British Olympic Association (BOA) to compete in the dressage discipline as part of the equestrian competition at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Two riders will be making their Team GB debut while all four horses compete on the Olympic stage for the first time at the Equestrian Park which is the same location used for the 1964 Games. Teams will be made up of three combinations with the fourth being a travelling reserve.

In dressage, Charlotte Dujardin will be targeting a third consecutive Olympic individual title and has the chance to make history as the first ever British woman to do so. Tokyo marks a sixth Games for Carl Hester, while it’s a first chance for Charlotte Fry. Gareth Hughes is named as the travelling reserve for dressage. 

Team GB Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mark England, said: “A huge congratulations to the equestrian dressage athletes selected today to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games. This is a very special moment for these athletes as they embark on their first, third or fifth Olympic Games, as it is also for the grooms, horse owners and support staff that have played an important role in this journey.

“There is an immense amount of experience across this team which will undoubtedly stand them in good stead in Tokyo. We are confident that we will send more female than male athletes to Tokyo this year which is an historic moment for Team GB, and to have double Olympic gold medallist Charlotte amongst them is something that I and the rest of the team are incredibly proud of.” 

Speaking about the selection, British Equestrian Performance Director and Equestrian Team Leader for Tokyo, Richard Waygood, said; “Selection and preparation has been difficult ahead of Tokyo however we continue to remain resilient and focused to overcome the challenges of this year’s Games. The squad is a great mix of youth and experience and each one of the combinations travelling to Tokyo has the potential to finish on the podium.  Our human and equine sports science teams, working with the riders’ home teams, have left nothing to chance to ensure the athletes, both equine and human, are ready to fulfil that potential.”

Team GB Equestrian Dressage Team (24 – 28 July)

Charlotte Dujardin (35) based in Newent, Gloucestershire with Renai Hart, Carl Hester and her own Gio (chestnut, gelding, 10yrs, Apache x Tango, Breeders: H J de Jong, A Valk NED, Groom: Alan Davies)

Charlotte Fry (25) based in Den Hout, the Netherlands (from Scarborough, North Yorkshire) with Van Olst Horses and her own Everdale (black stallion, 17.2hh, 12yrs, Lord Leatherdale x Negro, Breeder: P Kluytmans NED, Groom: Steven Caley)

Carl Hester (54) based in Newent, Gloucestershire (from Sark, The Channel Islands) with Sandra Biddlecombe, Charlotte Dujardin, Lady Anne Evans and his own En Vogue (dark bay, gelding, 12yrs, 17hh, Jazz x Contango, Breeder: A Van der Goor NED, Groom: Lucy Scudamore)

Travelling reserve

Gareth Hughes (50) based in Southam, Warwickshire with Judy Firmston-Williams and his own Sintano Van Hof Olympia (bay, gelding, 16.3hh, 11yrs, Sandro Hit x Silvano, Breeder: Hof Olympia NED, Groom: Steph Sharples)

Photos © Kevin Sparrow and LL-FOTO-DE