Charlotte Dujardin became Great Britain’s most decorated Olympian by winning the bronze medal in a tense individual dressage event in Tokyo 2020.
Dujardin, 36, faced a nervous wait to see if Dorothy Schneider would cross her mark of 88.543% in the final round of the day, but the German rider couldn’t deny her a sixth Olympic medal.
Dujardins’ run for back-to-back Olympic titles in 2012 and 2016 is over, with Germany’s Jessica von Prideaux-Werndel clocking 91.732% to beat compatriot Isabel Wirth and taking the silver with 89.657%.
But her three gold, silver and bronze medals surpassed the five medals won by rower Catherine Granger and tennis player Kathleen McCain Godfrey.
“It’s amazing,” Dujardin told BBC Sport. “I think I made it all. It’s so surreal.” Parity with Katherine Granger was good enough, and now I’ve defeated her. It’s unbelievable, and I can honestly say I’m very proud of myself.”
The Germans denied the clean sweep
Gold medal winner Von Bredow-Werndl put on a stellar show on her Olympic debut, meticulously guiding her horse TSF Dalera to the soundtrack for the 2016 movie La La Land.
In taking the silver, Werth took her 12th Olympic medal – extending her record as the sport’s most decorated competitor – and von Bredow-Werndl was visibly emotional in beating her compatriot for second place.
Had Schneider passed Dujardin to deprive the Briton of her record-breaking medal, she would have secured an all-German podium at the event for the first time since 1992.
Furthermore, GB’s Karl Hester – himself a three-time Olympic medalist in the team event – finished eighth aboard En Vogue, while Olympian Charlotte Fry placed thirteenth over Everdale.
Dujardin eyes more history أكثر
Dujardin’s success in previous games came aboard the now retired Valegro, a horse immortalized with a statue in Dujardin’s hometown of Newent in Gloucestershire.
Its new mountain — named Jiu but nicknamed the Pumpkin after arriving at its stable around Halloween — has withstood admirably well in the tough Tokyo heat and pressure of an Olympic event.
“As you can see I have a new dance partner in Geo and my little pocket rocket has a heart of gold,” Dujardin said.
“He gave it all up and I’m so overwhelmed. I was literally throwing him from one thing to another, and he just keeps going. What he did here is phenomenal.”
Dujardin’s mark with six medals can still be challenged by cyclist Laura Kenny in Tokyo 2020.
But given that fellow teammate Hester – whom she helped steer to success in the sport – is still competing at 54, it seems Dujardin still has time to add to her historic medal tally.
Looking at her bronze, she told BBC Sport she will be able to help her young horse develop by Paris 2024, adding: “There is a lot to come. I know this will not be this color but another.”
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