Charlotte Dujardin is a British dressage rider who has dominated the sport in recent years. Born in Enfield in 1985, she began riding at age two and took up dressage competitively in 2007 with a horse bought using an inheritance from her grandmother. See more of her here.
In 2011, Dujardin teamed up with the Dutch Warmblood gelding Valegro, with the intention of him being ridden by her mentor Carl Hester. However, the pair quickly formed an unbeatable partnership, winning gold at the 2011 European Championships.
Dujardin and Valegro burst onto the Olympic scene at London 2012, winning individual gold with a spectacular routine set to patriotic British music. They retained their title at Rio 2016, with Dujardin becoming Britain’s most successful Olympic equestrian with three golds and one silver.
With Valegro, Dujardin held every major individual dressage title simultaneously, including the Olympic, World and European freestyle and special crowns. Their partnership yielded numerous world records and captivated audiences worldwide.
Since Valegro’s retirement in 2016, Dujardin has continued her success with a string of up-and-coming horses. She remains at the pinnacle of her sport, aiming to compete for Great Britain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dujardin’s journey from modest beginnings to dressage superstardom is chronicled in her autobiography “The Girl on the Dancing Horse”. She has overcome dyslexia and arthritis to become one of the most dominant athletes in Olympic history.
Conclusion
Charlotte Dujardin’s remarkable career has cemented her status as one of the greatest dressage riders of all time. With her unparalleled partnership with Valegro and continued success with new horses, she shows no signs of slowing down. Dujardin’s inspiring story and unmatched talent have made her a true icon of the sport.