Charlotte Dujardin & Brave Heart win the Hartpury 3* Grand Prix

Slowly but surely, Charlotte Dujardin is continuing her return to the spotlight: partnering with Brave Heart, the British rider won the 3* Grand Prix at Hartpury yesterday.

Charlotte Dujardin—one of the riders shortlisted for the World Championships in Aachen—easily won the 3* Grand Prix at Hartpury yesterday with Bordeaux son owned by the McCarthy family. She earned a score of 74.804% for her error-free test, though there was a notable spread between the 77.174% awarded by Eduard De Wolff Van Westerrode and the 71.848% given by Susan Hoevenaars. They comfortably finished ahead of Great Britain's Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina (72.652%) and the American rider Ashley Holzer with Hawtins San Floriana—Charlotte Dujardin’s former mount—who scored 71.957%.

While the first three spots on the British team heading to Aachen seem logically destined for Charlotte Fry & Glamourdale, Becky Moody & Jagerbomb, and Carl Hester & Fame, what about the final ticket to be awarded?

With scores of 72.804% at Hickstead, 71.870% at Wellington, and 74.804%, Charlotte Dujardin and her Oldenburg mount can boast a season average of 73.159%.

Having posted scores of 72.217% at Hartpury, 71.630% at Fontainebleau, 73.130% at Wellington, and 74.609% at Wellington, Fiona Bigwood & Bella Donna currently hold a season average of 72.896% across the Grand Prix tests of four CDIs.

Alternatively, the selection might go to Susan Pape & Harmony's Giulilanta: they earned scores of 73.630% and 70.696% in Florida, and 72.065% in Lier, resulting in a 2024 average of 72.130% across three CDIs. Further back, Sadie Smith & Swanmore Dantina are hovering around the 71% mark.

The answer will come in a few days.