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Federation
Equestre Internationale News
FEI
World Cup Dressage News: Dutch Heroine Wins Again
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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
www.horsesport.org
.
