LOTTIE’S STAR TRIO
■ EVERDALE About: A black KWPN stallion by Lord Leatherdale out of Aliska K, by Negro, the sire of Valegro. First ridden by Lottie when he was seven (he’s now 12), he had previously been piloted by male riders.
Lottie says: “The first time I sat on Everdale there was so much power and energy, but he was also so supple, light and balanced, and he gave me the most incredible feeling — like nothing I’d ever experienced before. On the yard, he’s so easy to do and he loves cuddles, but he’s like the king, so he has a big stable next to the tack room. “Every time I’m in there he will stand and wait for a carrot. By contrast, he’s so fresh in hand at vet checks that the manager, Niek, will usually present him. Even though Everdale is now getting personal bests, I feel that there’s more to come. His legs will go higher and the movements will get bigger.”
■ DARK LEGEND
About: A black 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Zucchero, he was a reserve for the Olympics and the Europeans. Taken on by Lottie at the age of six, the pair were best Brits at the 2017 Young Rider Europeans, winners of the 2018 under-25 Europeans and members of the senior team which finished fourth at the 2019 Europeans. At Olympia last month, the pair finished second on 81.945% in the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle, and fourth in the Grand Prix with 74.526%.
Lottie says: “Darkie was sharp, tense, nervous and spooky when I started riding him. I took him to hundreds of shows just to get him around the arena. At his first international, I had to retire him in both classes. Eventually, he began to trust me. He doesn’t have the same potential as Everdale, but he makes up for that with his big heart.
The two are stabled next to each other and Darkie gets very jealous and angry when I’m riding other horses. He has to be the first one out in the morning or he gets very upset. He’s also obsessed with bananas.”
■ GLAMOURDALE
About: A 10-year-old KWPN stallion, by Lord Leatherdale out of Thuja, by Negro. Lottie says: “I started riding him at six and I think he has the potential to be just as good as Everdale. He’s only been at grand prix for a year and is already scoring up to 78% with small mistakes. It was when he won the seven-year-old World Championships that everyone started to notice him. He’s the biggest show-off on the yard.”