Equestrianism:Legal Democrat back to his best

Legal Democrat returned to his best form yesterday, when Carl Hester rode the 11-year-old Dutch-bred gelding to win the Grand Prix on the closing day of the National Dressage Championships. This was the third victory of the weekend for the immensely talented Hester, who also won the Prix St Georges on Donnersong and the Medium on Akkordion.

Each success brought its own satisfaction, with Legal Democrat's win proving that the horse's disappointing performance in the European Championships (where he had been suffering from travel sickness) can be disregarded. Hester said that his mount had been "progressing quite beautifully until the Europeans".

Legal Democrat defeated Legrini, ridden by Emile Faurie, who was the best British horse at the European Championships, and Hiscox Askari, who had the top British score at the Atlanta Olympics with Richard Davison.

By the time of the 2000 Olympics, Hester's best mount is likely to be yesterday's Prix St Georges winner, the handsome seven-year-old stallion Donnersong, owned and bred by Pat Masek. Donnersong has successfully stepped up a level since winning the Advanced Medium Championship last year. The stallion's future progress will be watched keenly, for he has the lovely rhythmic paces that should make him a top Grand Prix horse in a couple of years' time.