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Valegro: Champion Horse

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The story of the Rio 2016 Olympic dressage gold medal winner with Team GB rider Charlotte Dujardin

Valegro is nothing short of a world-wide a horse who has taken the sporting world by storm. In an unprecedented career, he has gone from rejection to concurrent Olympic, World and European Gold and a World No 1 ranking - leaving a trail of broken World records in his wake.

From gangly youngster to 'the best the world has ever seen', this is the heart-warming story of the horse that revolutionized a centuries-old sport and won the hearts of equestrian and sports fans everywhere. Voted the Nation's favourite horse, he has achieved international fame and admiration and has a character and intelligence that the public clearly adores.

This modern-day Black Beauty story is told by his owner and trainer, Carl Hester, who had the vision to bring together the potential of a young rider - Charlotte Dujardin - with a horse whose outstanding ability has proved that dreams can still come true.

With honesty, humour and contributions from leading lights across the equestrian world, this book is an inspiring and indispensable must-have for equestriennes, sports fans and anybody interested in achieving success against the odds.

FOR TABLET DEVICES ONLY

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2015

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Carl Hester

19 books9 followers

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
2 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2017
Valegro-Champion Horse

Carl Hester

I chose this book because it the front cover intrigued me by the beautiful horse with his eyes wide open and his ears pricked forward. I expect that this book will be something I really love as it is all about my passion – horses! Valegro is a very famous horse who performs in dressage events and this is the one part of horse shows that I love the most.
I also expect this book to describe what is involved in being a champion dressage horse who has been to the Olympics many times and won gold for Great Britain. The way he has come from a newborn foal to an amazing dressage horse. I am also expecting this book to have a little humour and all the challenges, fears, accomplishments, celebrations and commemorations that Valegro has been through.

So far this book has been amazing. To be able to step inside the shoes of this little horse represents how much pride and effort he puts into his work. Valegro didn’t have much of a chance at the start, his owner/trainer Carl Hester gave him a second chance at life. Valegro is full of humour and tricks as he loves to work for the camera. Valegro loves to make his own hay tea and when he walks down the driveway he will kick the apple trees until the apples fall if there is not one on the ground. Valegro also has the nose of a leaf blower, he is always blowing the leaves around where ever his goes. When Valegro came to Carl with a few other horse they were all named after fruit and vegetables. His groom Robrecht Cnockaert said, “I’m glad he wasn’t named Tomato or Spinach.” But instead Valegro got the stable name of blueberry, blubs. Some people even call him the Professor because there are every few mistakes of what he does. This book is amazing for anyone who is into horses for just adores animals in general. This book has been very captivating so far and I am excited to read the rest of the book.

Overall this book has been astonishing. To be able to live through the days of what Valegro does really makes you wonder if he is a horse or a human. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish to find out more about the one and only Valegro. This book has exceeded my expectations on so many different levels. The work effort it takes to succeed in such a high level of dressage is immense. At competitions Valegro almost knows that he has won. There is a huge grin on his face and always tries to take a bite out the flowers his rider receives Charlotte Dujardin. The power this horse has in massive but he has a huge heart and a keen mind. At one stage when Valegro won a huge competition the prize givers bought out a silver platter with carrots on it especially for Valegro. Even Valegro himself looked overwhelmed. In this book Valegro looks like the happiest horse in the world and according to his Trainer Carl, he is. He gets multiple treatments every day and seems to love them. At home valegro is always dressed to look his best especially in the summer with his zebra and pig summer rugs. Overall this is an amazing book for anyone and you only want to read more as you get through the book.

This book open your eyes for the world of equestrians and help you strive for better things
Profile Image for Jackie.
479 reviews43 followers
October 6, 2016
This book is beautiful. The photography is great and Valegro's story seems fully fleshed out because all the people who had anything to do with him are interviewed and their stories included. He seems almost too smart to be a horse! So glad I got the chance to see him at the Central Park Horse Show! *swoon*
299 reviews
November 30, 2017
A wonderful tribute to one of the best horses the world has ever seen. I would recommend getting the hardback copy as the book is made up of many beautiful photographs and extracts from people who are connected with Valegro, as well as Carl’s commentary.

It was a shame that neither Charlotte or Alan gave their own accounts of Valegro, especially when nearly every other person possibly connected with him did. It was also unfortunate they did not wait a few more years before his retirement, so that they could have included Valegro’s second Gold medal win at Rio. However, I acknowledge they might not have wanted to wait before publishing, not knowing how he would perform.

Despite these slight criticisms this still a great read for fans of dressage.
Profile Image for Izzy Rizzo.
119 reviews
January 26, 2018
AHHHH MA GODDDDDDDDD LITREALLY NAME A MORE ICONIC OLYMPIC LEGEND
<3333333
Profile Image for A.M. Swink.
Author 2 books22 followers
March 20, 2024
Can't be less than 5 stars for a book that contains Blueberry's baby pictures!
Profile Image for Grace.
47 reviews63 followers
Want to read
April 11, 2017
YES!

Here's to the best dressage horse of all time! I can't wait to read this book! We'll all miss you Valegro you gorgeous boy!
(Kisses cover, swoons, and then faints) lol
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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