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Judy Reynolds extends lead in Western European dressage league

The Kildare finished fourth in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Kür in London

Judy Reynolds finished fourth in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Kür in London. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Margie McLoone
Thu Dec 15 2016 - 10:29

Kildare-born Judy Reynolds finished fourth in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) in Olympia, London on Wednesday night and now leads the Western European dressage league on 45 points.

On board her Olympic mount Vancouver K, which is owned by her parents Joe and Kathleen, the Germany-based competitor performed her new freestyle programme for only the second time and surprised the large audience in the Grand Hall at the Christmas show with a special festive version of the music.

The combination received a score of 78.269per cent to place fourth behind Britain’s Carl Hester on Nip Tuck (84.669), Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands with Glock’s Flirt (81.880) and the latter’s compatriot, Edward Gal, riding Glock’s Voice (80.467).

Reynolds revealed that she only received the music two days before debuting the freestyle at the FEI World Cup qualifier in Stuttgart, Germany last month and from Olympia commented: “It is technically a very difficult freestyle test, I think the only way I could make it more difficult is to add in a tempis sequence on a curve!”

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Following last night’s competition, Charlotte Dujardin rode the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Valegro in a retirement ceremony. The British partnership collected three gold medals from two Olympic Games, won double-gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games, became FEI World Cup dressage champions twice and scooped four individual and one team gold medal at European championships.

The spotlight at Olympia now turns to show jumping with Ireland being represented by Bertram Allen, Anthony Condon, Darragh Kenny, Chris Megahey, Cian O’Connor and Peter Smyth.

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