The British dressage team clinched a bronze medal thanks to the stellar performance of Lottie Fry and her horse, Glamourdale. This accomplishment follows Becky Moody and her horse, Jagerbomb, achieving their career-best effort.
Moody stepped in for Charlotte Dujardin, who was banned from the team.
As the British dressage riders gathered with their bronze medals, questions about Charlotte Dujardin’s impact on the sport’s reputation started to arise. Becky Moody was the first to address these concerns, and it was fitting that she did so.
Moody had been chosen to replace Dujardin, who withdrew from the competition just before the Games began.
The controversy surrounding Dujardin began when footage surfaced of her using a whip on a horse during training, which led to intense scrutiny and calls for the sport to be banned from the Olympics.
Saturday’s Dressage Team Final was a chance for the sport to address these issues. Moody’s performance as a representative was exemplary.
Despite expectations that Moody might be a weak link, she proved otherwise by delivering an outstanding performance on Jagerbomb. Her impressive score at the end of the first round set a high bar for Carl Hester and Lottie Fry.
Though the British team ultimately finished behind Denmark and Germany, with Isabell Werth of Germany winning her seventh Olympic gold, the bronze was a significant achievement.
A New Beginning for the Sport
Moody reflected on the positive aspects of the competition, highlighting the excellent facilities and the well-being of the horses.
She acknowledged the challenges the sport has faced and emphasized the importance of demonstrating the love and care for horses.
Moving Forward
The sport still faces the challenge of overcoming the negative perceptions created by the controversial footage.
The performance at Versailles was a step in the right direction, but there’s much more work needed to change public perceptions.
Team GB’s Resilience
Hester expressed relief and pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing that any medal would have been a significant achievement given recent challenges.
He highlighted the importance of showcasing the depth of talent within British dressage and the resilience of the team, despite Dujardin’s absence.
A Lighthearted Moment
As Hester spoke about the importance of new faces in the team for inspiring future generations, Moody couldn’t help but smile. She took the opportunity for a bit of humor, remarking that she had been waiting for Hester to retire for ten years.
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