In a games in which Team GB’s equestrian team shined, Charlotte Dujardin began her rise to being one of the most decorated female athletes in Britain.
At the London 2012 Games, Dujardin and her team set the new Olympic record in the team dressage, taking home gold medals for both her individual and team performances.
Coming away with a double gold medal haul from one Olympic games is impressive, but Dujardin carried on such elite performances at the 2016 Rio Games.
Once again riding on her horse Valegro, she also won the individual gold medal there too, taking a silver in the team dressage.
After the Games, Dujardin retired her long standing partner, Valegro, at age 14, his final performance being televised live on the BBC.
She held every individual elite honour available to her all at one time, as she was the individual Olympic freestyle champion, the World freestyle champion and Grand Prix Special, World Cup individual dressage and European freestyle champion. She also held all Grand Prix Special titles.
During the Tokyo 2020 Games, she won bronze in both the individual and team dressage with horse Gio, giving her a total of six Olympic medals and making her Team GB’s most decorated female athlete of all time.
Having held multiple Olympic and World Championships, she is considered the most iconic rider of her time, being recognised for such service in the 2013 and 2017 Honours lists, being awarded an OBE then a CBE.
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