FEI Press News

23/08/2004

Anky van Grunsven performs the best Grand Prix Special

German favourite Ulla Salzgeber lost her advantage further to the windy conditions brought on by the Meltemi. After several mistakes from her 16-year-old gelding Rusty, mainly in the flying changes, the German rider has now a slight advantage on 76.524 % finishing her Grand Prix Special on a score of 74.84%.

Defending Gold medallist Anky van Grunsven (NED) on Salinero narrowed the gap and is now on a score of 76.004 % after winning today's competition with 77.8 %. Salinero coped well with todays windy conditions after two training sessions in the morning and nearly bucking his rider off at the first work out early morning.

"I don't feel like defending my title, as my gold medal in Sydney was obtained with Bonfire. Now I only want to concentrate on my own riding" explained the Dutch star. "Salinero is a hot horse" she continues, "but he fits me well. He is only 10 year-old and I hope he will grow older and wiser, and settle down a little."

Third place before the Final went to Beatriz Ferrer Salat (ESP) on Beauvalais who rode the second best performance in today's Grand Prix Special.

Debbie McDonald (USA) and Brentina are now ranked fourth, delivering the third best test of the day.

The best 15 riders at the end of the second qualifier will compete in the Final test, the Freestyle to Music (Kür) to take place on 25 August afternoon.


Relative Values in Dressage

Imke Schellekens is also following in her mother's footsteps. The
27-year-old Dutch rider is the daughter of Tineke Bartels, who was on the
silver medal winning teams both in Atlanta and Barcelona. Imke is 13th and will participate in the Final.

Sven Rothenberger is taking part in his second Olympic Games. In Atlanta in
1996, Sven was on the podium to receive team silver for the Netherlands
alongside his wife Gonnelien. Svebn Rothenberger could not make it to the Top 15 and will therefore not participate in the Final.

Marlies Van Baalen (24) is representing The Netherlands at her first Olympic
Games. Her mother, Coby, was a member of the silver medal winning team at
the Sydney 2000 Games.

The youngest rider in the equestrian events, 18-year-old Austrian Dressage
rider Victoria Max-Theurer is the daughter of Sissy Max-Theurer who competed
in Barcelona in 1992 and won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.