World Cup Dressage Amsterdam
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Dutch Heroine Wins Again
Anky van Grunsven emerged victorious from a top class field in Amsterdam
today, winning her second FEI World Cup qualifying competition on the
trot. Van Grunsven's young horse Gestion Salinero, only nine years old,
kept his head in a hot-house atmosphere to produce moments of brilliance
in the 80 per cent-scoring test. "Gestion Salinero actually felt better
in the Friday's grand prix when he was more relaxed, and today at times
I just had to try and keep it quiet, but there were some moments where I
knew that with more experience he could be a great horse".
Beatriz Ferrer-Salat rode Beauvalais with her customary vivacity for
second place. Her World Cup season has been curtailed by other
commitments, and Beauvalais caught a fever late last year, so the
Spanish rider is now concentrating on the outdoor season, unlike
Germany's Isabell Werth who is out to win a place at the World Cup Final
in April.
Werth and Satchmo, another exciting young prospect at ten years old,
produced moments of breathtaking expression for third place. Werth was
happy: " Satchmo was more relaxed today than in the grand prix and apart
from some misunderstanding in the canter at the start, he did not make
any big mistakes." In fourth place for Holland, Edward Gal and Gestion
Lingh started with real brilliance, but tension crept into the second
half of their test causing some mistakes and loss of synchronicity with
the music.
With eight riders from the Western European League able to qualify for
the final (Dusseldorf, April 1-4), Werth currently lies sixth in the
points standings behind compatriot Hubertus Schmidt, whose mare Wansuela
Suerte also felt the tension here for sixth place.
Heike Kemmer, the current leader on 72 points, had to withdraw Albano
when he trotted out lame this morning, but the German rider is still way
ahead. Anky van Grunsven, now on 57 points, has risen one place to
overtake British rider Emma Hindle (50), while Holland's Sven
Rothenberger is well placed at fourth on 46 points. Edward Gal is lying
seventh with 39 points to date. These riders will want to hold their
standings, as a maximum of three riders per nation can ride at the
Final.
President of the Ground Jury, Wim Ernes remarked on the high standard of
competition. He said: " This class was exciting for the crowd and also
exciting for the judges. We saw some exceptional horses and impressive
rides. There were mistakes here and there but the top nine all scored
over 70 per cent."
World Cup Director Joep Bartels underlined the depth of quality and
talent seen throughout this FEI World Cup season. " It used to be that
an Olympic year could be a weak World Cup year, but this time it is not
the case. That is really positive."
Returning to the calendar after a two-year break, the Amsterdam show is
taking place at a new Hall in the RAI complex, and the FEI World Cup
freestyle to music enticed a sell out crowd.
The remaining two qualifiers take place in Neumunster, Germany (February
20-22nd) and 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland (March 25-28th).
Results:
1, Anky Van Grunsven NED (Gestion Salinero) 80.45%
2, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat ESP (Beauvalais) 77.15%
3, Isabell Werth GER (Satchmo) 76.47%
4, Edward Gal NED (Gestion Lingh) 75.45%
5, Antoinette Falandt NED (Jarwo) 74.92%
6, Hubertus Schmidt GER (Wansuela Suerte) 73%
7, Sven Rothenberger NED (Barclay II) 72.7%
8, Louise Nathhorst SWE (Guinness) 71.8%
9, Kyra Kyrklund FIN (Andiamo Tyme) 70.55%
10, Per Sangaard DEN (Zancor) 69.27%
FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League
Standings after 5 of 7 competitions
1, Heike Kemmer GER 72
2, Anky van Grunsven NED 57
3, Emma Hindle GBR 50
4, Sven Rothenberger NED 46
5, Hubertus Schmidt GER 44
6, Isabell Werth GER 43
7, Edward Gal NED 39
8, Louise Nathhorst SWE 37
For further information visit www.jumpingamsterdam.nl
