The news of Anky van Grunsven's withdrawal from 2010 World Equestrian Games contention sent a shock wave through the dressage world as it was the first time since 1991 than the Dutch triple individual Olympic gold medallist would not be present at an international dressage championship.
In an interview with Dutch Equestrian Federation press officer Jacob Melissen, Van Grunsven confided that her decision to withdraw came gradually. "Slowly but surely I grew towards it so for me it is not a real disappointment that I have made the decision," said Van Grunsven. "Salinero's injury just heals too slowly to get him back in absolute top shape for WEG after his recovery."
Van Grunsven has the top athlete mentality of only wanting to finish on the podium. "I have a glorious career behind me and I don't want to go to WEG just to ride there. I only want to go if I have a chance to finish in the top five. The reality of this moment is that we are not good enough to realize that ambition. I consciously took the decision before the selection trials started so I can offer other riders, who think they can get on the team, the opportunity to qualify. To withdraw after the selection trials would only lead to speculation and the Dutch team doesn't need that."
Melissen asked Anky if she is trying for the Dutch reining team instead, as she has been competing the 7-year old American Quarter Horse Whizashiningwalla BB at Dutch reining selection trials. "We'll see how the upcoming trials go, but honestly I think I'm not good enough at this moment to be sent to a World Championships," she admitted.
Chef d'equipe and team trainer Sjef Janssen understands the decision Anky has taken. "Salinero is heavily injured and that's that. It proves that Anky is an adult athlete who can take decisions early to withdraw from WEG contention, so that other candidates can vie for the available spot in an optimal way," said Janssen. "Of course I consider it a loss that Anky dropped out with both Salinero and Painted Black. She has been a fixture on the Dutch team since 1991 (Prisco, Bonfire, Krack C, Idool, Salinero, Painted Black), but fortunately we have enough quality in Holland to cover the open spot of the anchor."
Janssen, however, did acknowledge that the life of his partner has changed dramatically over the past six years. "Anky still rides as fanatically each day as, let's say, ten years ago. On the other hand she wants to be a good mother to both her children. It shows that the isolated life a top athlete leads to put down top performances is hard to combine with her ambition to be 100% a good mom. She doesn't want cave in, neither as athlete, nor as mother, and then it becomes logical to withdraw if you can't prepare your horses optimally because of injuries."
Maarten van der Heijden, technical director of the Dutch Equestrian Federation, also reacted to the breaking news. "Of course we regret this, but we find it especially aggrivating for Anky," van der Heijden commented. "It is a loss for the sport that Anky's not there. She is a world wide dressage star. Besides the fact that she generates much publicity for the sport, she also brings much experience to the table as triple Olympic champion. We understand her motivation completely."
Photo © Dirk Caremans
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Anky van Grunsven Withdraws from 2010 World Equestrian Games' Participation