World number one Anky van Grunsven (pictured right) premiered her new freestyle created for next year’s Olympics to win the FEI World Cup qualifier at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, 17-18 December 2007, with a resounding 83.05%.

 

The internationally recognised concert pianist Wibi Soerjadi composed the “Dance of Devotion” for Anky and the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding IPS Salinero.

 

Judge Stephen Clarke said: “It was a great test, although not foot-perfect. Anky has brought our sport to a higher level than ever before. She has done for dressage what Torvill and Dean did for ice-skating. It is artistically special, subtle and clever – it will grow on you more and more every time you see it.”

 

Best of the Brits Carl Hester (pictured right), who has only recently taken the ride back on Dolendo after Spencer Wilton won the national championships with the 13-year-old Donnerhall offspring in September, rode to music he has used for the past seven years with four different horses to take fourth place on 73.1%. It was the first time he had competed the gelding he owns with Ann Cory since 2001.

 

Popular British-based Finnish rider Kyra Kyrklund improved on her third place at this competition last year to take the runner-up slot this year with 76.5% riding the 12-year-old Swedish-bred gelding Max.

 

German-based Danish rider Anders Dahl, partner of Britain’s Fiona Bigwood, was third with the 17-year-old Afrikka, who was originally bought for Fiona as a three-year-old for £3,000. Anders, who is top of the Western European Leaderboard after this fourth qualifier, confirmed his plans to move to Britain next year, provided planning permission is granted and the building work is completed in time.

 

After a British record grand prix score in the warm-up competition, Laura Bechtolsheimer skilfully rode an explosive Mistral Hojris into fifth place with 72.45%.

 

The crowd joined in clapping to the catchy music of leading British amateur Stephanie Croxford and Mr President, who scored 71.15% to finish ninth and Emile Faurie and the nine-year-old stallion Dream Of Heidelberg took 13^th place with 68.3%.

 

There are three more qualifiers – Mechelen (26-30 December), Amsterdam (24-27 January) and Neumünster (13-17 February) – before the final in ’s-Hertogenbosch (27-30 March). For the full results, visit www.olympiahorseshow.com.