Valegro farewell is new chapter for Dujardin

LONDON, Dec 14, (RTRS): The greatest partnership in dressage comes to an emotional end on Wednesday when Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro make their final competitive appearance together.

The evening will not, however, be the end of a love story that has captivated millions around the world since the pairing won individual and team golds at their home 2012 London Olympics.

“I don’t think there will ever be a horse that can replace Valegro,” Dujardin, 31, told Reuters in an interview after leading the 14-year-old gelding out for the cameras at the London International Horse Show at Olympia.

“But I do have some really nice up-andcoming horses as well behind him. I look at it that it’s sad but it’s not the end of Valegro. He’s still going to be seen but just not competing. It’s the start of another chapter.”

Together, Dujardin and Valegro won everything there was to win in dressage, where horse and rider perform a highly-trained routine choreographed to music.

At the Rio de Janeiro Games in August, Dujardin retained her individual Olympic title while also taking a team silver.

Her fiance Dean Golding, in the crowd, wore a shirt with the words “Can we get married now?” on it but he is still waiting for a date.

“I’ve done so many interviews about my wedding it’s put me off,” she said with a smile.

“One day I’m going to do it. I’m just going to nip away and have the smallest, secret wedding that nobody knows about.”

Tokyo in four years’ time is already on the radar and Dujardin has several promising rides, with Mount St John Freestyle exciting those in the know.

Valegro, though, can look forward to a pampered new life, cantering in the fields and making celebrity appearances.