Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato.

© Carl Hester Masterclass

A different World Championships for Carl Hester

By Equestrian Life

This year’s FEI World Dressage Championships were different for many reasons: we said goodbye to the all-discipline World Equestrian Games format; Denmark rose to the top of the team rankings; and new world champions were crowned in Great Britain’s Lottie Fry and Glamourdale.

It was also a very different World Championships for Carl Hester MBE.

Great Britain’s dressage royalty was part of the previous six Olympic and World Equestrian Games teams, having competed at the 2010 Kentucky WEG, 2012 London Olympics, 2014 Normandy WEG, 2016 Rio Olympics, 2018 Tryon WEG, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics – all of which came with team medals and involved five different horses. Prior to that, Carl also contested the 2004 and 1992 Olympics and 1990 WEG – and let’s not get started on European Championships and World Cups!

Herning was the first time in many years that Carl was not competing for Great Britain, as unfortunately an injury to his Tokyo horse, En Vogue, meant he was ultimately unable to campaign for selection. However, this in no way meant that Carl was not involved in the event or Great Britain’s silver-medal success!

The 55-year-old was not only attending as an owner – he part-owns Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep, having bought him from the Netherlands as a youngster on the strength of a video – but also in a team support and training role. It’s something that he described as being “different but wonderful”. Having Carl’s words of wisdom on hand were no doubt beneficial to the team. In addition, English-speaking audiences around the globe were treated to Carl’s dulcet tones over the event broadcast, where he commentated alongside Spencer Sturmey for much of the competition.

It’s anticipated that Carl will be back in the running for the Paris Olympics with En Vogue – and while we’re all no doubt excited at the prospect of seeing him back on a team and in the competition arena, he’ll no doubt be missed in the commentary box!

Don’t miss Carl’s Australian masterclass

Australians who listened to Carl’s commentary at Herning would have appreciated the insights he gave – and this November we now have the chance to learn more from the dressage great in person.

Carl is returning to the Queensland State Equestrian Centre (QSEC) to present a “Through the Levels” masterclass on Saturday 5 November 2022. Proudly presented by Equinesque and sponsored by Saddleworld, this is Carl’s only appearance in the Asia-Pacific region this year.
 
Find out more and book tickets here.

 

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