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Carl Hester: an emotional send off to Tokyo

*Opinion*
Carl Hester Carl Hester

    • Carl Hester MBE, Olympic gold medallist and multi-medallist at European and World Championships, talks about waving off Olympic horses and Ireland’s missed opportunity

    ROYAL WINDSOR offered a great opportunity for a training showcase in front of a 1,000-strong audience the day before the show opened. It finally brought some real atmosphere to a show, and my Olympic ride En Vogue felt wonderful.

    Six event riders went first, followed by our group of five dressage riders (without Netherlands-based Lottie Fry), as Stephen Clarke commentated and judged. We saw a real mix of fun, different angles looking at tests, and it just goes to show what a key role commentary plays. Stephen, of course, is brilliant at it. As far as I could see, the experience benefited every horse and rider. What a great send-off for the Tokyo Olympic teams.

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    This column can also be read in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale 15 July

    • What do you think about Horse Sport Ireland’s decision not to send a dressage team to Tokyo? Let us know on hhletters@futurenet.com with your name, nearest town and county for the chance to win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

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