Fifteen riders qualifed to ride the European Championships 2009 Freestyle test and 12 were not going to get medals tonight - but it did not stop all 15 riders putting on the most magnificent display of dressage to Music which is surely the most joyous celebration of horse and man and their relationship!

This evening the 8,000 strong cpacity audience saw history made on a balmy end of summer evening in the gardens of Windsor Castle, home to Her Majesty, the Queen of England who so graciously allowed the Alltech European Championships for Showjumping and Dressage to be held in what is effectively her backyard!

The full results for the Freestyle can be found by clicking here and I will not bore anyone with my description of the tests other than to say that all 15 were magnificent but at the end of the day there were definitely 3 tests which stood out well above and beyond anyone else - and they were the three Dutch medal winners!

For moving pictures of Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas in their record breaking 90.750% Freestyle test click here

after which it was broken by Adelinde Cornelissen) and then this evening in the last tournament of the Dressage European Championships, Gal and Tortilas broke the Freestyle record achieving and incredible 90.750% - which is not all that far away from 100% which everyone is now asking "is it possible we will see a perfect score from this combination?"

When Edward was asked this evening what he did when he heard his score he said so simply "I start crying"! Edward told us this evening that when he went into the arena this evening he "hoped he could enjoy - because when you have such a good horse, enjoy it! He felt so good (tonight) and I am so enjoying my ride - I don't really know what to say anymore - you have to ride him to understand the feel you get from this horse, but no you can't ride him" and the quick smile follows these comments.

Edward looked exhausted but happy and to be honest there really are no words left to say about this exquisite performance - it was an honour and a privilege to film and photograph this combination and to shake Edward's hand.

Let us not forget the Silver medallist, Adelinde Cornelissen and her beautiful tall Jazz son, Parzival who produced an 87.350 % test which was also spine chillingly beautiful.

For moving pictures of Adelinde and Parzival click here

Pictured above left - Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival

Pictured above right - and the Bronze medal went to Anky van Grunsven who for so long held the title of the Queen of Freestyle - but she graciously gave way to her fellow countryman, acknowledging the sheer brilliance of the horse and of the rider. The Bronze medal was awarded for their 87.250 % performance.

Anky commented that "maybe the bronze was not what I hoped for but today I am very happy with Salinero."

From first to last the tests this evenign were outstanding - and we would like to bring you a couple of the ones that appealed to us - for varied reasons.

For moving pictures of Kyra Kyrklund and Max click here

For moving pictures of Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris click here

For moving pictures of Emma Hindle and Lancet click here

And so ends the European Dressage Championships - held in a most extraordinary environment and we have been treated to incredible dressage - the showjumpers will want to work hard to keep their spectators with dressage becoming not only exciting but cliff hanging with the records breaking all over the place!

Our thanks to all the competitors in the dressage tournaments - it has been an honour to photograph and film you - and talk with you and share your highs and lows - we look forward to our next coverage of dressage.