2003 European Dressage Championships

Dutch Team Disappointingly Fourth

August 15, 2003

The Dutch dressage team ended in the ungrateful fourth position and was seriously disappointed with that. Only two riders were able to rise to their expected level and that were Ellen Bontje and shooting star Antoinette Falandt. The latter, who was considered to be Holland's third team member, launched herself into the anchor position by finishing 8th with 71.292%. Falandt rode her Dutch bred Jarwo (by Ferro) with lightness and impulsion through the test; only the piaffe had to be more on the spot. An international Grand Prix rider since 2001, Falandt considered herself the debutante of the team, but can now expect a team place in the 2004 Dutch Olympic team. "I never even considered going to the Olympics, but since today it's a bit more reachable," Falandt said. Falandt trained Jarwo herself but called in assistance from Coby van Baalen one year ago. "I made great progress since I have been training with her," Falandt explained.

Second best Dutch rider was Ellen Bontje on the 18-year old Gestion Silvano N, who gave a youthful performance of 70.875%. Especially the extended trot was a highlight in Silvano's test, showing balanced extension in the collection. "Silvano has been reborn this year," said Dutch chef d'equipe and O-judge Jan Peeters, "he has been a joy to watch. Only that small mistake in the zigzag took down the score as that movement counts double." Ellen Bontje was extremely pleased about her Holsteiner stallion. "Silvano felt really safe and was constantly at my aids. My score could have been higher, but I don't care. I just love it that people, who usually say that Silvano has become old, are now gazing at him with awe." Bontje is not thinking of retiring Silvano. "As long as he tells me that he wants to do this, we keep going on. When I notice it has become too much for him, I'll stop immediately. If we are allowed to go to the Olympics, I will make sure that Athens will be his final competition."

Arjen Teeuwissen, individual silver medallist at the 2001 European Championships, was extremely disappointed with his Grand Prix ride. Scoring 67.583% and placing 19th, Teeuwissen felt abandoned by his Dutch warmblood Gestion Goliath T. The bay gelding was unresponsive to the aids and totally ran without flair.

"It was terrible, what a deception," Teeuwissen said, "the days before the competition Goliath was fit, responsive to my aids and quick behind. Now he didn't react, wasn't round and felt dull. I rather came out of the arena with points I didn't deserve and be happy about my ride, than with many points and an unsatisfied feeling." Teeuwissen also said that a horse is not a machine which can be handled with a key. "I knew that I couldn't expect to perform the same way as in 2001, but I did hope for a place in the top eight."

Fourth team member Edward Gal filled up Anky van Grunsven's position, who withdrew from Hickstead due to an injured Salinero. Gal rode the young Flemmingh offspring Gestion Lingh. With a few mistakes in his test -- for instance an error in the piaffe -- Gal scored 65.625% and ranked 29th. "I felt Lingh slowing down for the piaffe and I came too strong with my leg," Gal explained, "it's a pithy but I am here to learn and gain experience. I learnt more in those 10 minutes than in one whole year." Edward Gal and Gestion Lingh only rode their eighth Grand Prix but is considered to be an Olympic team hopeful by Jan Peeters. "I try to set new goals every time and to perform better each time. Athens is still not a goal for me. I will first ride at the CDI Rotterdam and see what happens there. Maybe Athens can become a goal, I don't know." Gal's trainer Anky van Grunsven thought that her student deserved a higher score. "I thought it deserved a 69%, but you have to subtract 2% because of that error in the piaffe. That means that 67% would have been fair. I hoped Edward to ride 70%, so I'm a bit disappointed," Van Grunsven said. What ruling Olympic Champion Van Grunsven did not put in perspective is that new comers on the scene are penalised for major mistakes, while ruling champions are allowed to make a certain amount of mistakes without dipping under the 70% line.

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