After last night’s dressage World Cup qualifier at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, it was unanimously agreed that dressage, both on the international and British stage, has moved into a new era. Anky Van Grunsven, the Olympic, World and European freestyle Champion, presented her brand new freestyle composed by concert pianist Wibi Soerjadi, called ‘Dance of Devotion’ with her golden partner Salinero to take the class by storm and the qualifier, her first this season, by a 7% margin. “It was a great test – although not necessarily foot perfect – but Anky has definitely brought the sport to a higher level than ever before,” said British Olympic judge Stephen Clarke. “What Torvill and Dean did for skating, Anky has done for dressage”.
British based Finnish rider Kyra Kyrklund claimed a unanimous second place with the 12 year old Max a horse by her former grand prix partner Master. Third place was enough to keep Danish rider Anders Dahl at the top of the Rolex FEI World Cup Western League. Anders, who is engaged to British team rider Fiona Bigwood rode Penny Bigwood’s 17 year old Afrikka, who started his competitive life in England and in 1995 was the British National Elementary Champion. “I was not only riding the oldest horse but probably the cheapest,” said Anders of his Danish bred horse that was bought in Britain for just £3,000.
Carl Hester was the highest placed Briton with Anne Cory’s Donnerhall-sired chestnut Dolendo. “I came with no expectations so to finish like that is a great Christmas present,” said Carl who, despite training the horse for seven years, has not ridden him competitively at this level.
British team member Laura Bechtolsheimer also had a show to remember. The 22-year-old Politics and Philosophy graduate gained over 75% in the previous night’s grand prix with Mistral Hojris to set a new high in British dressage – it was the highest score for British rider in international grand prix. “To have a British rider gain that score can only be good for British dressage,” commented Carl Hester. “It moves us forward into a new league.”
Results
1. Grunsven,Anky van NED IPS Salinero 83.0500% £3.100
2. Kyrklund,Kyra FIN Max 76.5000% £2.200
3. Dahl,Anders DEN Afrikka 73.5500% £1.740
4. Hester,Carl GBR Dolendo 73.1000% £1.085
5. Bechtolsheimer,Laura GBR Mistral Hojris 72.4500% £870
6. Devroe,Jeroen BEL Paganini 72.2000% £830
7. Silfhout,Alex van NED Luxform’s Nimbly 72.2000% £780
8. Essen,Aat van NED Premier 72.0500% £740
9. Croxford,Stephanie GBR Mr President 71.1590% £700
10. Lüttgen,Anna-Katharina GER Zancor 70.6500% £650
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