Anky van Grunsven is back in the big time and heading towards the 2012 Olympic Games. Based on her scores achieved at the three CDI's she competed in with Salinero this 2011 show season, van Grunsven has been re-submitted to the Dutch Olympic A-team.
While the Dutch dressage team was on top of its game at the 2010 World Equestrian Games where they won team gold, the sale of Totilas and the injured Sunrise made the orange team topple from the highest step of the podium to an unusual team bronze medal position at the 2011 European Championships.
For its Olympic campaign the Dutch dressage team has been re-inforced by its big gun, Anky van Grunsven, one of Holland's most successful sports atheletes in history. After a year and a half off due to injury, the now 17-year old Salinero has returned to the show ring on form.
With three A-team qualification scores obtained in Falsterbo, Donaueschingen and Salzburg, Van Grunsven returned to the Olympic A-team with Salinero, the horse with which she won gold at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
However, van Grunsven is not sure that she will ride the Olympics with Salinero. "It all depends on how fit he is next year," Anky told the Dutch press agency ANP. To equestrian publication Horses.nl Anky added that "in principle I want to go to London with Upido, but on the other hand Salinero is in super form and based on the way he's going now, I absolutely do not want to retire him. If he can complete the team for a team medal, I won't keep him at home, but we'll just have to wait and see."
Photo © Nini Schäbel
Dutch Olympic Team
- Adelinde Cornelissen – Parzival
- Edward Gal – Sisther de Jeu
- Anky van Grunsven - Salinero
- Hans Peter Minderhoud – Tango
Dutch B-Team
- Marlies van Baalen - Phoebe
- Edward Gal – Next One
- Sander Marijnissen – Moedwil
- Hans Peter Minderhoud – Withney van ’t Genthof
- Jenny Schreven - Krawall
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI Falsterbo - CDI Donaueschingen - 2011 CDI Salzburg
Anky van Grunsven's Olympic Flame Rekindled
Imke Schellekens' Sunrise Not Fit for 2011 European Championships
Totilas Sold to Paul Schockemohle