Surprising second win Anky van Grunsven
By Claartje van Andel for dressagedirect
The FEI World Cup™ in Mechelen showed a completely Dutch
podium with Anky van Grunsven, Imke Schellekens-Bartels and
Laurens van Lieren at the first three places. Anky van
Grunsven and her elegant black approved stallion IPS Painted
Black were the unexpected winners of the fifth qualifier in
the Western European League of the FEI World Cup™ in
Mechelen.
In nine days time two World Cup™ qualifier wins,
do you ever get used to victories, was questioned to Anky van
Grunsven in Mechelen. With a big smile she said: “I must be
honest: my win here partnering IPS Painted Black was not
expected in the least! Yesterday in Grand Prix I didn’t expect
to win, today I did neither. I am very happy with the
improvements IPS Painted Black has made and when that may lead
to wins, it is even more remarkable.”
Imke Schellekens-Bartels became the runner up twice.
Yesterday in Grand Prix she blamed herself for leaving her
mare Hunter Douglas Sunrise totally on her own. It was the
first outing of the pair after the successful European
Championships in September with the two individual bronze
medals. Now show routine had gone. “Instead of leading my
sensitive mare through the crowded and noisy indoor arena, I
left her by herself which resulted in some mistakes which is
only me to blame for. Today I was happy with myself and Hunter
Douglas Sunrise. I was able to ride very precisely in the
right timing and Hunter Douglas Sunrise gave me a wonderful
feeling. The only thing I felt sorry for after my test were
the points. I had expected more”, Imke commented.
Three of the five judges had seen Imke and Sunrise as the
winning pair, Japanese judge Furuoka and Belgian mr Van Daele
had Anky van Grunsven in the first spot. Chairman of the
judges Mariette Withages commented: “ To me the harmony of
Imke and Sunrise today was outstanding. I have rewarded that
with the mark nine. To me Painted Black showed his improved
steadiness and power, however some little mistakes took some
points away. They both did a good job. A win doesn’t always
need to be an unanimous decision.”
Anky added that she
noticed that IPS Painted Black became a bit insecure in the
Freestyle when the piaffe is asked for at unexpected spots.
Laurens van Lieren was the happy third. He had not been
very lucky the day before when Hexagon’s Ollright was
disturbed by the noises and became seventh only. Disturbances
also left the horse from resting during the night. However
today Ollright felt at ease in the arena and showed his
possibilities without tension. Laurens van Lieren agreed with
Van Grunsven not to conquer each other as Dutch but to unite
for the strongest possible Olympic team. “We all help each
other to the utmost and hope this will bring the best for us
all”, Van Grunsven said. A future promise for the Dutch is
also Stefanie Peters who debuted in the World Cup. “I was most
happy with my Grand Prix result which was a step forward in
the direction of the Dutch A-kader”, Stefanie commented.
Photo: The unexpected win is the best, feels Anky
van Grunsven aboard IPS Painted Black
Picture Dirk
Caremans www.hippofoto.be/
Devroe best for Belgium
Belgium had four riders competing in this home
qualifier. Jeroen Devroe ended at a nice fourth position
after the Dutch power. The routine in riding more qualifiers
was paid of today, he felt. “I used to sort of undergo the
test instead of riding it. Now I feel I am starting to ‘own’
the test and ride it, instead of undergoing it.” This
even could be noticed from his more relaxed face expression.
The other three Belgium riders finished at 11th, 13th
and 15th position. “To compete with more Belgian riders gives
me also more to train for if I like to stay in front”, Devroe
added. Stefan van Ingelgem was very happy with his only 8 year
old approved stallion doing a nice test. “He needs to gain
experience but he is promising for the future!”, Van Ingelgem
summarized.
Canadian Evi Strasser went home from London
last week to celebrate Christmas with the family. Her horse
was trained by Canadian team trainer Norbert van Laak in
Germany. Only one day before the show in Mechelen started she
returned. Evi commented: “As a Canadian prospect for the
Olympic Games we just need the experience of showing in
Europe. Now when I have made that decision, I just try to make
the best out of it and hope for starting places at nice World
Cup shows. Staying in Canada sure brings nothing!”
The next
World Cup™ qualifier will be next year in Amsterdam January
24-27.
Photo: Belgian best and fourth: Jeroen Devroe and
Paganini
Picture Dirk Caremans www.hippofoto.be/
Leader board FEI World Cup™ Dressage after five qualifiers:
1. Anders DAHL (DEN) 56
2. Laurens VAN LIEREN (NED)
43
3. Anky VAN GRUNSVEN (NED) 40
3. Jan BRINK (SWE)
40
5. Nathalie ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN (DEN) 39
6. Patricia
CALLAGHAN (NED) 35
7. Jeroen DEVROE (BEL) 32
8.
Catherine HADDAD (USA) 30
9. Victoria MAX THEURER (AUT)
29
10. Louise NATHHORST (SWE) 24
11. Stephanie CROXFORD
(GBR) 23
12. Emma KARLSSON (SWE) 20
13. Juan Manuel
MUNOZ DIAZ (ESP) 19
13. Silvia IKLE (SWI) 19
15. Wayne
CHANNON (GBR) 18
15. Aat VAN ESSEN (NED) 18
For more news on the show in Mechelen, click here
