Yesterday in Amsterdam there was no doubt about the winner of the Grand Prix: the reigning Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven and IPS Salinero. No less than 78,042% was the unanimous award of all judges for a test with splendid parts like the elevated and harmonious half passes and the forward and elevated passage. Only in the zig zag IPS Salinero frightened for a short moment, a moment in which Anky professionally took the lead and directed her horse in the right way.
Imke Schellekens-Bartels, Anky’s team mate for the gold at the EC in Italy, rode Hunter Douglas Sunrise easily to the runner up position. “She felt like nothing was the slightest problem at all”, Imke said happily.
From Finland Kyra Kyrklund and Max were third, showing themselves at ease and in good form. Kyrklund plans to do nothing special but compete before the OG in Hong Kong. “I have been at OG in warm climates before, so there is nothing really new actually”, she said quit at ease. Dutch Stéphanie Peters and Jeff reached for the fourth position. “In the warming up Jeff was not at its best”, partner and trainer Xavier Schulkens explained. “I agree with Sjef Janssen that there is more to come.”
The biggest applause however went to Dutch Jeannette Haazen. Accompanied by her husband and trainer Chris she reached the fourteenth position and 65,125% in Grand Prix. Her competing can be called a miracle. On their way to the first World Cup™ Qualifier in Odense in November, they had a serious car-accident. After serious surgery and hospitalization the pair was present again at the sixth World Cup™ qualifier edition in Amsterdam. Chris is unable to walk properly yet, however he is able to teach and coach his wife.
Bad luck for Laurens van Lieren
Amsterdam and Laurens van Lieren, it seems not a happy marriage. Two years ago during his ride in the World Cup™ Final in Amsterdam, a tray with glasses and dishes dropped loudly and disturbed Hexagon’s Ollright’s test. Now a few days before leaving for Amsterdam, a slight irregularity during the training made decide Van Lieren to cancel his entrée with Hexagon’s Ollright. “My vet hasn’t discovered anything at all, however as Amsterdam is not the most important show in my schedule and on consultation with team manager Mariette van Gansewinkel and team coach Sjef Janssen, we decided it would be in the best interests not to take any risk.” Laurens van Lieren will compete in the Intermediate class and in the Dressage Gala Evening Sunday Night.
Lotje Schoots Rabo Talent of the Year
Member of the gold Young Riders team Lotje Schoots has been chosen as Rabo Talent of the year by the platform of trainers of the Rabo Plan, the press and the public through internet voting. The Rabo Talent of the year rode a special edition of her Freestyle at the Join Jumping Gala in Amsterdam RAI Wednesday evening. The proud and powerful mare Reine B didn’t hesitate to show in the arena while the black tied audience enjoyed their dine and wine. Lotje also offered a clinic given by herself for the charity ‘Orange babies’, babies born in Africa suffering from aids. More nice items were sold, like a VIP-treatment in Hong Kong and a VIP-treatment at the WC four in hand this year in The Netherlands. The charity reached more than € 130.000.
Rabo Ranking for Van Grunsven
Rabobank rewarded the highest placed Dutch rider and horse pairs of 2007 at the Join Jumping Gala with a cheque of € 5000 for the winner. No surprise that Anky van Grunsven took the biggest purse. Imke Schellekens-Bartels was rewarded with a cheque for the runner up in the Rabo Ranking.
Anky too reached the third position partnered with her black stallion IPS Painted Black. Her two victories in Mechelen at the end of 2007 brought the pair into third position.
Results (25.01.08)
CDI-W Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Grand Prix
1. Anky van Grunsven – IPS Salinero – 78.04% (Holland)
2. Imke Schellekens Bartels – Hunter Douglas Sunrise – 74.17% (Holland)
3. Kyra Kyrklund – Max – 71.79% (Finland)
4. Stephanie Peters – Jeff – 69.67% (Holland)
5. Nathalie Zu Sayn Wittgenstein – Rigoletto 2 – 69.42% (Denmark)
6. Andreas Helgstrand – Gredstedgards Casmir – 69.33% (Denmark)
7. Marlies van Baalen – BMC Kigali – 68.38% (Holland)
8. Jeroen Devroe – Paganini – 68.17% (Belgium)
9. Camilla Sygall – DJ One More Time – 67.42% (England)
10. Catherine Haddad – Maximus JSS – 66.75% (USA)