Due to the schedule of the quarter finals of the European championships football (soccer), the Rotterdam Freestyle night had an early start at 6. The audience gave an orange look and shine and witnessed the riders with much enthusiasm. Just like the Grand Prix nations cup test last Saturday the first four places were reserved for the Dutch. Anky van Grunsven aboard IPS Salinero was the winner without any doubt. It even looked as Anky and her trainer Sjef not only controlled IPS Salinero but also the troup of pigeons that loved the Rotterdam footing especially within the dressage arena!
The pirouettes and the easy and smooth trotting part were highlights. Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende and his daughter presented the prizes.
Runner up was Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Hunter Douglas Sunrise. The silhouette of the pair was very correct and nicer than in Grand Prix. It was a pity that the highlight of her Freestyle, the one tempi changes, suffered from mistakes. Imke commented afterwards: “I will definitely work on this before the Olympic Games. I think in this stage of education Hunter Douglas Sunrise needs a little more time for her pirouettes, which have become more elevated and more cadenced. Therefore while performing I continuously have the feeling that I have to wait and use my brakes instead of nicely ride forward to continue the synchrony with the music. I definitely will work on this point with our composer Wibi Soerjadi to have this fixed before the Olympic Games.
Runner up was Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Hunter Douglas Sunrise
The judges had some mixed feelings when the class was done. “The atmosphere was really great and the arena is that too. However with all those world class horses we would have liked to see some more tests without mistakes and tension. Of course the atmosphere is quite impressive, nevertheless tension should be punished”, Wim Ernes said.
After a very impressive start with a great trotting part, the tension for Exquis Nadine rose too high and mistakes were the results. Hans Peter Minderhoud showed his riding skills to perform to the best he could. Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival also experienced problems from the start.
Parzival scared and was afraid for broad casting camera’s and the pigeons. “Nevertheless I have been able to show all movements and excercises at the places where I was able to direct Parzival to. This is a time for learning experiences. I am only at this level for one and a half year and am looking forward for more”, Adelinde recalled and concluded.
Dutch Olympic team presented
Sunday morning at the CHIO in Rotterdam the Dutch Equestrian Federation announced its dressage team for the Olympic Games in Hong Kong. It’s no surprise that the third pair that will accompany Anky van Grunsven aboard IPS Salinero and Imke Schellekens-Bartels aboard Hunter Douglas Sunrise will be former double world champion Young Horses Hans Peter Minderhoud aboard the mare Exquis Nadine. Hans Peter will be the first man, Exquis Nadine will be the second mare for the Dutch. Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival will be the travelling reserves. They also will be the basic of the Dutch team for CDIO Aachen in one and a half week time. Aachen will be the final selection moment for the German team. Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival will be accompanied in Aachen by Jeannette Haazen and Nartan, Alex van Silfhout and Luxform’s Nimbly and Edward Gal and Interfloor’s Next one.