Preston's Emma Hindle rounded off Team GB’s dressage campaign at the Beijing 2008 Games with a seventh place finish overall in the individual competition.
It was one of the highest places achieved by a British dressage rider at an Olympic Games.
Going into the grand prix freestyle test to music (also known as the kur) competition in ninth position after the grand prix special test, Hindle rode with flair and determination to produce a third outstanding performance on the 15-year-old Hanoverian stallion Lancet. She was rewarded with a score of 74.25 per cent, finishing on a combined percentage of 72.34.
“I am very happy,” said Hindle. “Normally he gets a little tense in the kur as he gets distracted by the music, but he really worked for me and did everything I asked. I can’t ask for anything more than that. I really enjoyed it, but this wouldn’t be his specialty.”
Hindle’s achievement is all the more remarkable because of the difficult preparation she has had in the run up to this year’s Games.
“Six weeks ago I had a major operation (to remove a tumour) and so to finish so high in the placings is extra special,” she said.
She went on to pay tribute to all the support staff who aided her rapid recovery, adding: “I can’t believe how many people believed in me. The morale in the British equestrian camp has been amazing; I’m used to being involved in rivalry but now I’m proud to be part of such a great team.”
The individual gold medal eventually went to the Netherlands’ ‘queen of freestyle’ Anky van Grunsven and Salinero who finished on a score of 78.68 per cent, stealing the lead from Germany’s Isabell Werth and Satchmo 76.65 per cent.
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