Anky van Grunsven out of World Equestrian Games

Olympic dressage gold medalist Anky van Grunsven will not contest the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky this September.

Her top horse, Salinero, injured his withers in his stable two months ago and it is now thought the gelding will need at least another four weeks of rest to recover.

Anky explained that she did not want to rush the horse’s recovery in order to get enough training in prior to the World Games.

She has also decided not to aim for Dutch team selection on her second horse, IPS Painted Black. This stallion has had mixed results in international competition and Anky does not feel he would be a top five contender. He also has a “light injury”.

Even without Anky, the Dutch are still in a strong position to take team gold, with world number one Edward Gal on Moorlands Totillas, Adelinde Cornelissen (Jerich Parzival) and Imke Shellekens (Hunter Douglas Sunrise) among those up for selection.

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