Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.

Who is Charlotte Dujardin’s new star, Imhotep?

By Equestrian Life

If you were paying attention to the results from the recent British Dressage Championships, you might have noticed that Charlotte Dujardin has an exciting new ride by the name of Imhotep.

The flashy eight-year-old chestnut gelding won the Prix St Georges on 77.81%, the Intermediate I on 74.81, and the Intermediate I Freestyle on 78.675%. While he is yet to compete at international level, Imhotep has produced many impressive results in national classes over the last couple of years.

Imhotep began his competition career with Robert Barker in the saddle, contesting young horse classes, before Sadie Smith took over the ride and competed him to Medium level; in 2019, the pair finished fourth in the Elementary at the British Dressage Championships, scoring 73.813%. Sadie has worked as an assistant trainer and groom for Carl Hester and Charlotte since 2016.

Charlotte began competing Imhotep in August 2020 at Advanced/Medium level and together they have continued on to Small Tour.

The 16.2 hand KWPN gelding, known around the stables as ‘Pete’, was bred in the Netherlands by T Huizing and is owned by Carl Hester and Coral Ingham. He is by Van Olst Horses’ Everdale (Lord Leatherdale) out of Della D’Otite (Vivaldi). Everdale is the impressive black stallion who was ridden by Charlotte’s British team mate at the Tokyo Olympics, Charlotte Fry.

Van Olst Horses have bred many successful horses in recent years, including their stallion Glamourdale (also ridden by Charlotte Fry and by Lord Leatherdale), and Kjento (current World Champion six year old, by Negro). Charlotte Fry’s recent European Championship ride, Dark Legend, is by another one of the stud’s stallions. And then of course Charlotte Dujardin’s famous Valegro is by their stallion, Negro.

Imhotep is certainly one to watch for the future!

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE