This is the story of about a Dutch girl who wanted to become the best dressage rider in the world. After many long hard years of blood, sweat, tears, training, training and more training, the help of some superstar horses and support of her husband, managed to do just that… Anky van Grunsven is one of the top ladies in the sport and is now a name synonomous with dressage. But the story doesn’t end there… add a little palomino quarterhorse called Whiz into the equation and you have a new found interest. Anky + Whiz = reining!!
Photo Above: Anky and Whiz training at home.
Photo © Liesbeth Russel / Anky.nl
Anky made her reining debut on the 23rd September at a show in WRAN Marienheem (NL). Whizashiningwalla BB and Anky had a slight disadvantage at their first show, Because Anky is seen as a professional, she had to start in the highest class.
The test has a difficult combination of elements and although they gained good marks for most of the test, they did lose some valuable marks in one of the spins. Anky and Whiz did not make it through to the next round, however Anky was more than happy with their efforts.
Click on the link below to see the test
http://www.horsus.com/nl/?p=videos_nieuws&i=272&nb=1222&t1= Anky Said "At the Olympics, I won the gold medal in the dressage. At that moment I felt I had achieved everything. I searched for and found new challenges in the Reining. I really enjoy learning new things and it keeps me sharp."
After the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, Anky received a western saddle as a gift and from that moment she decided she should use the saddle, after all it would be such a pity to let it go to waste! So that was the beginning of a new chapter in Anky’s life.
The owner of the six-year-old palomino AQHA gelding (by Topsail Whiz) is Cira Baeck of the renowned Eifel Gold Ranch in Belgium. Whiz and Baeck were very successful, becoming the 2008 Maturity Non Pro Champions in Italy, the Non Pro European Affiliate Champions and the Derby Champions at the Rein O Mania, not to mention in 2008 they were in third placed in the world NRHA rankings.
Anky met Cira during the World Cup final in Las Vegas where they both took part in a reining demonstration. Anky then went to Cira’s barn ‘Eifel Gold Ranch’ in Belgium to try several horses. Anky was immediately drawn to Whiz and so he made the trip to Anky’s Stable in Holland, where he is on trial for 3 months. A decision will be made after the probation period as to whether Anky will buy him.
The little palomino quarter horse is a sight to behold. Nestled in his stable, Whiz keeps his new neighbour Salinero company, and when out in the paddocks eats to his hearts content, surrounded by all the big dressage horses!
Anky & Wizz’s next show is CRI Wanroij on October 15. Be sure to check back on her website for more news on the adventures of Whiz and Anky!
Anky van Grunsvens Website (English Link)
http://www.anky.nl/index.asp?lang=en The Eifel Gold Ranch website
http://www.eifelgoldranch.be/ Anky's fantastic clothing range is available in Australia from
ANKY AUSTRALIA