Enfield Olympic dressage rider thanks 'lucky breeches' for outstanding score (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Olympic dressage rider thanks 'lucky breeches' for outstanding score

3:46pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

Enfield-born Charlotte Dujardin says her “lucky breeches” helped her smash an Olympic record for Great Britain this afternoon in the dressage.

The 25-year-old, who rides with her Olympics horse Valegro, totted up an outstanding score of 83.663, with all other riders scorning in the 70s or lower.

Speaking to Team GB after the performance, she said: “I just enjoyed it from start to finish and when you stop and have that crowd around you, it’s just magic.

"The marks haven’t been that high so I was hoping for an 80; my best before this was 81 so to come to the Olympics and smash that is a little bit crazy. I had such fun.

"It’s such a buzz I can’t tell you! I’ve been here since Sunday and I’ve just wanted to get in and do my piece.

“It was so exciting; when you ride in with all those people around you, it’s just amazing. I’m wearing my lucky breeches, the ones I broke the world record in at Hagen so maybe they helped!”

Two dressage gold medals are up for grabs, a team title and an individual one, and Dujardin’s score will count towards both of them.

Riders will compete again on Tuesday, with the top riders going through to a third individual performance on Thursday.

Two months ago the rising star broke the grand prix special world record and became the first British rider to break the 90 per cent barrier for a freestyle routine in an international competition.