Although Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin have never denied that double Olympic gold medalist Valegro is for sale, Dujardin told the Press Association Sport that she’s making an effort to syndicate 49 percent of the gelding and keep him in Great Britain.
Valegro is currently owned by Roly Luard and Hester, and the two are looking to gather 2.5 million euros by Jan. 31, according to Horse & Hound. The group is seeking backers to pledge about 250,000 euros each.
“We believe his value to British Dressage and the nation, who appear to have well and truly taken him to their hearts, is priceless,” Luard told Horse & Hound.
Since the Olympic Games in August, Dujardin has continued to ride and train the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Negro—Mailfeur, Gerschwin) in preparation for upcoming performances. Dujardin and Valegro most recently won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix freestyle in the Olympia CDI-W at the London International Horse Show.
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“The longer-term aim is being part of the British team at the Rio Olympics [in 2016] and to have some fun competing him lightly in the meantime,” said Luard.
Eurodressage.com recently reported that Hester and Dujardin are not endorsing the facebook page attempting to syndicate the gelding.
