DUAL OLYMPIC champion Charlotte Dujardin will ride her mentor Carl Hester’s gold medal-winning horse Uthopia in the first major dressage event of the year at the Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Bucks, this weekend.

It was at Addington two years ago that Newent-based Charlotte made her debut at grand prix level with double Olympic gold medal winner Valegro Uthopia is no longer allowed to compete abroad while a financial dispute surrounding ownership of the stallion is resolved. Meanwhile, a private syndicate involving Hester which plans to buy a 49 per cent share in Valegro has until January 31 to put a deal in place.

Dujardin’s Olympic team-mates Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer, from Oaksey, are also competing at Addington.