OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Dujardin only riding for gold

By Matt Stott, Sportsbeat, London 2012

DRESSAGE competitor Charlotte Dujardin says she is going into the London 2012 Olympics with only one thing on her mind – winning a gold medal.

The 25-year-old is going into the Games in fine form having become the first British rider to break the 90 percent barrier for a freestyle routine at the Hartpury International Festival of Dressage in Gloucestershire.

Dujardin and horse Valegro also set a new Grand Prix Special world record of 88.022 percent in April in Hagen.

And she believes that performance means she at the very top of her game at the right time.

She said: “I would love to win an Olympic medal, especially an individual one. I am going there to bring home a gold medal which would be great.

“It would be amazing to win an Olympics medal anywhere but to do it at your home Olympics would be even better.

“I think I am striking form at the right time. I got a world record earlier this year and I have got another one earlier this month.”

And Dujardin, the youngest member of the team, who trains with fellow Team GB star Carl Hester, says unlike other sports, dressage has a different element of risk.

She said: “You are out there with an animal and anything can happen. Things can go wrong on the day and it is not just yourself you have to take care of.

“But I am feeling confident and we have a good strong team and we are confident of performing to our best. It is great that we are going there so positive.”

© Sportsbeat 2012