2000 Dutch Dressage Championships

Anky van Grunsven Wins Tenth National Title

It wasn't all too difficult for her, winning her tenth national dressage champion's title. Van Grunsven is the best in Holland when she saddles her number one star Gestion Bonfire and she doesn't even feel a breath of threat when she's on the Oldenburger. You would think one gets used to victory but, nevertheless, Anky had to cry when she received the honorary sash. "A lot went through my mind at that moment,'" Anky confessed. "You should never underestimate Bonfire," she seriously added afterwards.

"Monster scores" were ridden at the Dutch Dressage Championships in Park Brakkestijn in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, the first weekend of July 2000. Scores were achieved which makes one reflect on the direction dressage is going to and whether it's the right one. Anky's Grand Prix test was honoured with a 77,20% but the extra-terrestrial, world record scores were established in the Special and freestyle. Bonfire danced falwlessly to a 79,40% in the special while his freestyle received an abnormal 86,79%. With these scores Anky is not only certain of the Dutch title, which last year was won by her student Arjen Teeuwissen as Bonfire had a virus infection, but she is even more secured for a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney, if she can repeat the same performance. And this is without a doubt possible.

Image copyrighted Arnd Bronkhorst