|
2007 World Cup Qualifiers
Van Grunsven and Painted Black Win Mechelen World
Cup Qualifier
December 27, 2007
 The FEI World Cup in Mechelen showed a Dutch
podium with Anky van Grunsven, Imke Schellekens-Bartels
and Laurens van Lieren at the first three places. Anky
van Grunsven and her elegant black approved stallion
Painted Black were the unexpected winners of the
fifth qualifier in the Western European League of the
FEI World Cup™ in Mechelen.
In nine days time
two World Cup qualifier wins,
do you ever get used to victories, was questioned to
Anky van Grunsven in Mechelen. With a big smile she
said: “I must be honest: my win here partnered
with Painted Black was not expected in the least!
Yesterday in Grand Prix I didn’t expect to win,
today neither. I am very happy with the improvements
Painted Black has made and when that may lead to
wins, it is even more remarkable.”
Imke Schellekens-Bartels became the runner up twice.
Yesterday in Grand Prix she blamed herself totally
for leaving her mare Hunter Douglas Sunrise on her
own. It was the first outing of the pair after the
successful European Championships in September with
the two individual bronze medals and show routine had
gone. “Instead of leading my sensitive mare through
the crowded and noisy indoor arena, I left her by herself
which resulted in some mistakes which is only me to
blame for. Today I was happy with myself and Hunter
Douglas Sunrise. I was able to ride very precise in
the right timing and Hunter Douglas Sunrise gave me
a wonderful feeling. The only thing I felt sorry for
after my test were the points. I had expected more”,
Imke commented. Three of the five judges had seen Imke
and Sunrise as the winning pair, Japanese judge Furuoka
and Belgian mr Van Daele had Anky van Grunsven in the
first spot. Chairman of the judges Mariette Withages
commented: “ To me the harmony of Imke and Sunrise
today was outstanding. I have rewarded that with the
mark nine. To me Painted Black showed his improved
steadiness and power, however some little mistakes
took some points away. They both did a good job. A
win doesn’t always need to be an unanimous decision.” Anky
added that she noticed that Painted Black became
a bit insecure in the Freestyle when the piaffe to
him is asked for in unexpected spots.
Laurens van Lieren was the happy third. He had not
been very lucky the day before when Hexagon’s
Ollright was disturbed by the noises and became seventh.
Disturbances also left the horse from resting during
the night. However today Ollright felt at ease in the
arena and showed his possibilities without tension.
Belgium had four riders competing in this home qualifier.
Jeroen Devroe ended at a nice fourth position after
the Dutch power. The routine in riding more qualifiers
was paid of today, he felt. “I used to sort of
undergo the test instead of riding it. Now I feel I
am starting to ‘own’ the test and ride
it instead of undergoing it.” This even could
be noticed to his more relaxed face expression. The
other three Belgium riders finished at 11th, 13th and
15th position. “To compete with more Belgian
riders gives me also more to train for if I like to
stay in front”, Devroe added.
Anky van Grunsven will bring Salinero to the next
World Cup™ in Amsterdam. The next three in a
row of Mechelen Imke Schellekens-Bartels, Laurens van
Lieren and Jeroen Devroe also have Amsterdam in their
schedule.
Photo copyrighted: Dirk Caremans
Back to the World Cup Index
|
