NEWENT-based dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin, another hot prospect for the London Olympics, has impressed in the United States.

The 26-year-old travelled out to the Palm Beach World Dressage Masters with her top ride Valegro, with whom she won team gold at the 2011 European Dressage Championships.

The pair finished second in the Grand Prix, just pipped by US rider Steffen Peters, despite Valegro's unexpected keenness to go causing a few mistakes.

Dujardin said: "On the run up to the Grand Prix, Valegro has been a bit quiet so I eased up on his work as I didn't want him too tired for the test, But in the test he surprised me and was keen.

"He was over-eager on our entry and the pirouette and zigzag on centre line weren't so good either.

"He's young and still learning, so I'll forgive him, as he also did some amazing things."

Dujardin then again filled second spot in the Grand Prix Freestyle (to music), this time completing on 83.650 per cent, just behind the winner Steffen Peters on 83.700 per cent.

US judge Gary Rockwell awarded her 86.875 per cent but, despite this being the highest score of the competition, it was not quite enough to win as the test was not as technically difficult as Steffen's.

Dujardin said: "This was only our third freestyle, and with this result and those from Olympia and Rotterdam in 2011 I can't moan."

The pair's next major aims are the Hagen International in Germany in April and the Munich World Dressage Masters in May.