Wednesday, 16th December, 2009 will long live in my memory - there are those who suggest that we are weary journalists and photographers who cannot be excited easily - but let me tell you - in London today, the press corp was excited, the capacity audience were excited and Edward Gal was excited!

We were treated to a 20 minute Master Class with Edward Gal - and yes we all knew he wouldn't be riding Totilas but we all wondered what else would he bother riding!

Well we found out - the 10 year old mare, Sisther de Jeu by Garibaldi who is also the sire of Totilas! With warmth, humour and incredible softness Edward entered the arena and worked on giving the mare confidence as she faced 8,500 people all poised on the edges of their seats.

As Edward rode around he explained that he uses his voice a lot at home when working his horses but that the mare was finding it strange and unusual because of the micophone voice she was hearing........but within minutes the mare had settled and relaxed and was doing the most beautiful baby pirouettes, half pass, passage and piaffe - without a even a hint of tension.

As Edward told us he was being given the wind up, he said he didn't want to go as he hadn't done the "exciting trot" and so he would do it for us saying "it is what I like, it is fun for me and the horse" and fun it was.

For all the fun of the entertainment at Olympia make sure you visit jumpingaround.com on Facebook by clicking here

Then after the entertainment it was time for the serious work of winning the 4th leg of the FEI as the Freestyles were ridden.

The first half of the field saw horses which looked a little less than inspiring - many just seemed flat as did their riders and this could easily be explained by the adrenalin buzz which went through the horses and riders in the Grand Prix,leaving many exhausted coming into the Freestyle phase of the competition.

For many riders Olympia is the first time they enter a World Cup and the nerves definitely show through for some.

It was generally felt that the judges were very tough on Anne van Olst (Denmark) - pictured below - who rode a lovely test on both days but finished in last place behind others who rode less correct and less visually pleasing tests - but that is of course one of the issues facing the FEI currently.

Pictured right - Marc Boblet for France in the saddle of the 10 year old Pik Solo gelding Whitni Star.

The general feeling was that he deserved higher than his third last on 69.65%........

Britain's Carl Hester rode a super freestyle on Leibling although at times the horse looked a little stuck behind.

This did not however detract from the "dance" performed by rider and horse working together in total harmony.

There are no words left to describe Edward Gal and Totilas - we may have to invent words from this point on as everything that can be said has been - all that is left is to watch in awe as this master of relaxation rides the black stallion with softness, poise, elegance and harmony!

How confident is Edward in his Freestyle when the chime of large church bells herald his pirouettes? And having seen him perform this several time, it is always perfection and is spine chillingly beautiful.

So what is happening to dressage?

Not being a long time dressage fan I would never have envisaged a time when a dressage rider and his horse would receive standing ovations for their performance - but that is exactly what is happening everytime Gal and Totilas perform and to see 8,500 people rise to their feet as one on the final salute is inspiring for the sport.

Not since the days of John Whitaker and Milton has the public felt so inspired and followed with "pop star" like dedication, a riding combination, until Totilas and Gal...........so what has this done to/for the sport?

The bar has definitely been raised of that there is no question - but the question is can the rest of the riders and horses catch up with Gal and Cornelissen? Parzival and Totilas are two very different horses but both show extraordinary ability and both are ridden by riders who have such empathy and joy in their riding so is it this joy which makes them so much better?

Without wanting to sound like I have recently seen a miracle and feel the need to preach about it, I am constantly over awed by both the Dutch riders and would love to see the day when all the top competitive riders appear to have as much fun as Cornelissen and Gal do - it has done so much for the sport which now appears to have a greater viewership than showjumping!

So as the FEI World Cup Dressage Freestyle finished with Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas as the final competitors the stands stayed packed to the rafters while everyone waited to here the final score - and the roar which erupted as yet another world record was broken, lifted the roof - yes Edward and Totilas scored a massive 92.30% which broke their own world record of 90.70%.

Second place went to the Netherlands also with Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival scoring 82.05% after a test which showed some tension from the horse who is known for being spooky and there is no question he worked himself up over night and came out looking for the argument Adelinde never gave him which saw them finish second.

The strong british crowd were delighted when their own Carl Hester and Leibling took out 3rd place with 78.45% and youngster Laura Bechtolsheimer took fourth place money with 77.35%.

For the full results and breakdown of marks click here

For moving pictures........

Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival - Grand Prix - click here

Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas -
Grand Prix - click here

Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas -
Record Breaking Freestyle - 92.30% - click here

And so the dressagr horses and riders leave Olympia in the centre of London to head home for Christmas and a well deserved rest till it all begins again in January.