Charlotte Dujardin made a confident comeback to international competition at Wellington CDI3* (11-12 October), guiding Ellie McCarthy’s 11-year-old gelding Brave Heart II to victory in both the grand prix (73.74%) and the grand prix special (72.83%).

There was little sign of ring rust from Britain’s joint most decorated female Olympian, whose performances were accurate and composed, with just a minor mistake in a trot half-pass the only blemish across both tests.

Brave Heart is a new ride for Charlotte, having competed at this level with his owner since April 2023. The gelding enjoyed a freestyle win at Wellington last year with Ellie and also represented Britain in the Nations Cup at Compiègne this season.

“I look forward to seeing this new partnership prosper,” said Judy Harvey, B

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