Anky van Grunsven, the Dutch Olympic dressage champion, speaks to Horse & Hound about her life, her horses and her new reining career
When did you first… choose dressage?
At the age of 12, but that was only because my horse Prisco couldn’t jump. I decided I wanted to ride professionally after I finished school.
What is first… on your list of ambitions?
I don’t have ambitions any more — I want to have fun.
When did you first… become interested in reining?
I have been doing reining for about 10 years, but it’s only since the last Olympics that I’ve really had time for it. I have one reining horse, Whizashiningwalla BB, and I’ve learned a lot from him.
What is the first… word you would use to describe yourself?
Busy, always busy. With riding, teaching, management, administration, children…
When did you last… score a 10?
I often get a 10 with Salinero — and used to with Bonfire, too — for piaffe, passage and the transitions in between.
When did you last… lose your temper?
While I was having an argument with Sjef [Janssen, Anky’s husband and Dutch dressage team trainer]. It does happen.
What was the last… thing you bought?
Clothes for the children — they were far too expensive.
When did you last… feel like giving up horses?
Honestly? I never have.
This extract is from an interview first published in Horse & Hound (13 May, ’10)
