Anky van Grunsven impressed the judges when she unveiled her brand new freestyle at the Olympia Horse Show yesterday (Tuesday 18 December).
Composed by Wibi Soerjadi, the new performance is called ‘Dance of devotion’ and earnt her a score of 83.050% on IPS Salinero.
Second was British-bred Finnish rider Kyra Kyrklund with Max, who score 76.500% for their easy on the eye Cabaret Freestyle, with Denmark’s Anders Dahl in third with Afrikka on 73.550%.
Carl Hester was overjoyed with fourth position in his first competition with Ann Cory’s Dolendo since 2001. The partnership produced a nice swinging test to score 73.100%.
Anky van Grunsven admitted to feeling nervous before riding her new freestyle in front of the Olympia crowds.
“Normally I only have to take care of my horse IPS Salinero before entering such a packed arena. But now I had to take care of one my horse, two my new choreography, three my new music. It was quite a challenge!”
Chairman of the judges Dr Volker Moritz was full of praise for Anky’s performance.
“It was a very special atmosphere tonight and I was very impressed by the new freestyle of Anky van Grunsven. It fitted the horse very well and I rewarded it with very high marks.”
Judge Stephen Clarke added: “It was very subtle, very clever, very difficult. I think this Freestyle has every chance to grow as it needs a little exposure and probably practice.”
RESULTS
1. IPS SALINERO Anky van Grunsven NED 83.050%
2. MAX Kyra Kyrklund FIN 76.500%
3. AFRIKKA Anders Dahl DEN 73.550%
4. DOLENDO Carl Hester GBR 73.100%
5. MISTRAL HOJRIS Laura Bechtelsheimer GBR 72.450%
6. PAGANINI Jeroen Devroe BEL 72.200%
6. LUXFORM’S NIMBLY Alex van Silfhout NED 72.200%
8. PREMIER Aat van Essen (NED) 72.050%
9. MR PRESIDENT Stephanie Coxford GBR 71.150%
10.ZANCOR Anna-Katharina Lüttgen GER 70.650%
11. QUANTUM TYME Evi Strasser CAN 70.450%
12. CALIMUCHO Julia Chevanne FRA 70.050%
13 DREAM OF HEIDELBERG Emile Faurie GBR 68.300%
14. RANDON Michal Rapcewicz POL 67.800%
15. PROBLESK Iryna Lis BLR 66.400%
www.olympiahorseshow.co.uk
