Mikael Forsten went into the record books today when clinching Finland’s first-ever Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping victory in the De Telegraaf-sponsored leg of the 2007/2008 series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands where there was no shortage of surprises.

With 15 through to the jump-off it was always going to take a brave effort to clinch maximum points here, but the 38 year old rider and his 12 year old chestnut gelding really put it up to the rest of them when third to go against the clock and not even some of the quickest horses and best riders in the sport could match their pace.

“Isaac gave me everything” Forsten said afterwards, “and I’m so very happy – this has been a special day for us – I’m really delighted!”.

However there was another show-stealer who created a bubble of excitement earlier in the competition.

As the first round was drawing to a close Dutch star Gerco Schroder was working his way around the arena with Eurocommerce Monaco when an animal rights protester, clad only in his underwear, streaked across the ring in an attempt to disrupt proceedings. Spectators watched with a mixture of amazement and amusement as the gentleman in question was chased at full speed by officials who eventually apprehended him and led him away, but while he had his moment in the limelight the impact of his interruption was short-lived as the unflappable Dutch partnership simply went back to work and comfortably joined the second-round line-up.

Pathfinder against the clock was Gerco’s brother Wim riding Eurocommerce New Jersey who returned with four faults in 39.14 seconds, and then Italy’s Omar Bonomelli followed with a slow clear from Quintero in 44.80 seconds to set the early pace. That was immediately dismissed by Forsten however who shaved almost seven full seconds off the target when storming home in 38.08 seconds.

“Because I was going early I didn’t see anyone else, but I could feel Isaac was flying – he is French-bred and has all the scope, but his rideability can be a bit questionable sometimes although he always tries to clear the fences. Today though he was unbelievably fast…..” the Finnish rider said afterwards.

Mikko, as Forsten is known to his friends, was not convinced that he had been quick enough to win and watched from the sidelines with his partner, fellow-Finnish rider Noora Pentti, who had two fences down in the first round.

Italy’s Jonella Ligresti was next to go with Nanta, but their chances were dashed when the mare crumpled on landing over a fence and decanted her rider, and when Belgium’s Angelique Hoorn collected four faults with Blauwendraad’s O’Brien in 40.99 seconds there was still no sign of a strong challenge to his lead. Max Kuhner, a real “find” for Germany during this indoor season, kept a cool head to leave the course intact but in the slow time of 44.91 seconds while Ireland’s Billy Twomey was more competitive when lowering just one fence with Tinka’s Serenade who broke the beam in 40.12.

Germany’s Heinrich-Herman Engemann had a good shot at Forsten’s target when crossing the line with Aboyeur in 38.39 seconds and Harrie Smolders and Exquis Oliver Q beat the time but left one on the floor in 38.02 so when Belgium’s Patrick McEntee and Ever Mury Marais Z were clear but slow the Finn was still out in front with five left to go.

The 2006 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion Marcus Ehning from Germany opted for a degree of caution when bringing Sandro Boy home in 38.46 seconds and when Holland’s Piet Raijmakers Snr riding Van Schijndel’s Curtis put two on the floor and Frenchwoman Eugenie Angot was clear with Ilostra Dark in 39.05 seconds only two riders stood in the way of show jumping history. But what a pair they were. The Netherlands had six riders through to the closing stages and second-last to go was the irrepressible partnership of Albert Zoer and Oki Doki who have blazed a trail through the sport over the last year while last in was Gerco Schroder. A single error in 38.43 seconds saw Zoer having to settle for tenth place while Schroder just couldn’t match that leading time – the clock showing 38.25 seconds as he crossed the line to take runner-up spot ahead of Engemann.

“To be honest I expected Ehning, Albert and Gerco would be faster than me and I was just hoping that the rest would have to go wild to try to catch my time!” Forsten explained afterwards. “I’m absolutely delighted – this is my first World Cup win of course – I have won some Grand Prix’s but at 3-Star and 2-Star level but nothing like this and I believe I am the first Finnish rider to win a World Cup competition, the best we have ever placed before was third I think” he added.

Today’s success has broadened his horizons considerably and he is planning to take in the next qualifying leg in Bordeaux next weekend and then Vigo in Spain the following week – “I’m going to try to qualify for the final in Gothenburg – that is my aim now!” he said determinedly.

He has certainly boosted his chances of getting there as today’s result has raised him to eleventh place on the leaderboard and, with 34 points now to his credit, he needs just one more good placing to make the cut. But the final three qualifying legs will see some razor-sharp competition and he will have to stay on the very top of his game…..

Photo: DP Events

In the week before Jumping Amsterdam all Dutch press, radio and television had commented on the new Freestyle of Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven composed by Wibi Soerjadi, a Freestyle that is supposed to be Van Grunsven’s new Olympic hit. From last week on the music even can be downloaded from the website of Soerjadi and Van Grunsven’s own website. For the second year the virtuoso was in Amsterdam to witness the performance of the Freestyle he composed. And for the second year he could celebrate the win! Last year Imke Schellekens-Bartels was the winner, this year Anky van Grunsven took over the lead.

The chairman of the judges Wim Ernes praised the riders. As the tension always builds up towards a final, a very strong field of competitors had entered the Amsterdam Horseshow. “The first three were of a very special level. Anky, Imke and Kyra, they all were top of the bill. However they were followed by a strong second part with good competition. Especially Dutch Stéphanie Peters showed great progress. Another surprise was British Camilla Sygall”, Ernes commented. “After a bit of an insecure start due to the very enthusiast but noisy crowd and some flashlights, I felt very happy with my horse IPS Salinero and my test, my debut for the Dutch of my new Freestyle”,   Anky van Grunsven said.

It can be considered as something very special that two individuals, not sharing the same high level of knowing the details of each other’s skills and profession and managing their own companies, at their own expenses have found each other again in emotion. “Everything is made to measure”, Soerjadi explained. “It’s not about listening to the music, it’s about feeling the music.” Van Grunsven agreed: “Especially when I make the transition from the walk into the canter I feel a very special harmony and emotion. I am totally happy with my new Freestyle music now. We have changed it a little after my first ride in London. Together with the continuing developments and growth of Salinero, I cannot think of a nicer piece of music now than this one.”  

Just like in Mechelen, Imke Schellekens-Bartels became the runner up twice. Today she blamed herself totally for the mistake in the second pirouette. “I made an expensive mess around the second pirouette. Hunter Douglas Sunrise is not to blame, she gave me a great feeling. Another thing I noticed is the rhythm of the canter and my music. The canter is starting to change a bit. Probably we have to work a little on that in the Freestyle.” Riding the last qualifier in Neumünster doesn’t fit in the training schedule of Schellekens. “Riding the World Cup™ Final in my home country would be great. In the standings three Dutch are ahead of me. Probably a wild card can be considered by the World Cup™ Committee”, Imke Schellekens-Bartels hopes. Kyra Kyrklund said that to get as high as possible at the Olympic ranking list is her first objective. She will ride in Neumünster in the last World Cup™ qualifier of the Western European League. “It looks like I have a good chance of competing in the Final after a good ride in Neumünster as well and of course I’ll take my chance than”, Kyrklund stated. Her Cabaret-music is very well fitting to the horse that went in great harmony but sometimes could be a little more loose to the opinion of the judges. “To me the relaxation and harmony of Max and Kyrklund was outstanding. But I rewarded the music of Schellekens-Bartels with 0,5 more because of the degree of difficulty, also in timing”, chairman Ernes explained.

The audience’s biggest applause however was reserved for Dutch rider Jeannette Haazen. Together with her impressive Horse Nartan and coached by her husband and trainer Chris, she finished eleventh. Her entry is just a miracle. Last November when driving to the first World Cup™ Qualifier in Odense, Denmark, she crashed into an unlit, stationary car. Following major surgery and hospitalisation the couple was present again at the sixth World Cup™ qualifier in Amsterdam. Chris Haazen can not yet walk properly, but still manages to coach his wife. “They had no place for us in heaven yet”, Haazen joked, just being happy to be present again. Some competitors this time had to cancel their participation. Swiss Silvia Iklé who has been in the news recently because of her drop out of the Olympic Games now stayed at home because of some fractures due to a nasty fall on the floor when teaching.   Amsterdam and Laurens van Lieren do not seem to hit it off.

By Claartje van Andel, www.dressagedirect.com

Photo: Digital Photo Events

AMSTERDAM (ANP) – Springruiter Leon Thijssen heeft vrijdagavond tijdens Jumping Amsterdam de Anton Ebben Prijs gewonnen, tevens de kwalificatie voor de wereldbekerwedstrijd van zondag. In een springrubriek op tijd was hij met Nairobi landgenoot Harrie Smolders, met de merrie Riovanna onder het zadel, te snel af.

Thijssen stuurde zijn 12-jarige ruin na 61,71 seconden foutloos door de finishlijn. Zijn belangrijkste rivaal deed er ruim een seconde langer over. De winnaar kreeg een cheque van 6250 euro. De nummer twee verdiende vijf mille. De Duitser Heinrich Hermann Engemann (Aboyeur W) eindigde als derde.

Foto: Digital Photo Events

Amsterdam and Laurens van Lieren, it seems not a happy marriage. Two years ago during his ride in the World Cup™ Final in Amsterdam, a tray with glasses and dishes dropped loudly and disturbed Hexagon’s Ollright’s test. Now a few days before leaving for Amsterdam, a slight irregularity during the training made decide Van Lieren to cancel his entrée with Hexagon’s Ollright.

“My vet hasn’t discovered anything at all, however as Amsterdam is not the most important in my schedule and consulting teammanager Mariette van Gansewinkel and teamcoach Sjef Janssen, we decided it would be in the best interest not to take any risk.” Laurens van Lieren will compete in the Intermediate class and in the Dressage Gala Evening Sunday Night.

By Claartje van Andel, www.dressagedirect.com

Today in Amsterdam there was no doubt about the winner of the Grand Prix: the reigning Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven and IPS Salinero. No less than 78,042% was the unanimous award of all judges for a test with splendid parts like the elevated and harmonious half passes and the forward and elevated passage. Only in the zig zag IPS Salinero frightened for a short moment, a moment in which Anky professionally took the lead and directed her horse in the right way.

Imke Schellekens-Bartels, Anky’s teammate for the gold at the EC in Italy,   rode Hunter Douglas Sunrise easily to the runner up position. “She felt like nothing was the slightest problem at all”, Imke said happily.
Finnish Kyra Kyrklund and Max became third, showing themselves at ease and in good form. Kyrklund plans to do nothing special but compete before the OG in Hong Kong. “I have been at OG in warm climates before, so there is nothing really new actually”, she said quit at ease.

Dutch Stéphanie Peters and Jeff reached for the fourth position. “In the warming up Jeff was not at its best”, partner and trainer Xavier Schulkens explained. “I agree with Sjef Janssen that there is more to come.”

By Claartje van Andel, www.dressagedirect.com

Photo: Digitial Photo Events

AMSTERDAM (KNHS) – Anky van Grunsven danste met afgemeten passen door de dressuurpiste tijdens de Kà ¼r op muziek die tijdens Jumping Amsterdam verreden werd. Waren er in Londen tijdens de premià ¨re van ‘Dance of Devotion’ nog kleine onvolkomenheden; nu waren die weggeslepen. “Ik verander nu niets meer aan deze Kà ¼r. Het is goed zo! Het enige is dat ikzelf en IPS Salinero nog iets beter in de Kà ¼r moeten groeien. Maar het is nu januari en de Olympische Spelen zijn in augustus, dus we hebben nog even”, aldus Van Grunsven.

“In vergelijking met Londen hebben we een paar hele kleine zaken veranderd. Je moet dan eerder denken aan een paar maten eruit dan dat we er stukken uit hebben gehaald”, vertelde Anky, die nu zich gaat voorbereiden op de wereldbeker finale, die tijdens Indoor Brabant verreden gaat worden. Volgens de voorzitter van de jury Wim Ernes heeft de Kür van Anky een hogere moeilijkheidsgraad dan de vorige. De draf en galop appuyementen zijn niet alleen scherper, ook is er in de passage een appuyement toegevoegd. De Erpse amazone eindigde ruim op kop met een score van 83.850%.

Imke Schellekens-Bartels (Hooge Mierde), die tweede werd met Hunter Douglas Sunrise – net als Anky op een compositie van Wibi Soerjadi – was blij met haar rit, alhoewel zij de hapering in de pirouette stom van zichzelf vond. “Had ik een persoonlijke record score binnen handbereik, verknoei ik het!”, vertelde Imke, die besloten heeft om niet naar Neumünster te gaan om zich daar voor de finale te plaatsen. “Ik kan tijdens Indoor Brabant starten en hoop op een wild card voor de finale”. In alle drie de basisgangen zou Sunrise net een fractie flitsender kunnen zijn in het gebruik van het achterbeen. “Ik moest er echt aan rijden in de ring en volgens mijn moeder waren de piaffe en passage in de losrijpiste zeker goed voor één of twee punten meer dan ik in de ring liet zien”. Zij werd tweede met een score van 79.000%.

Jurylid Wim Ernes sprak van een topwedstrijd, waarin de topruiters zeer goede prestaties leverden. De Finse Kyra Kyrklund, die derde werd met Max, vond het Amsterdamse publiek top. “Je hebt van die landen waar het publiek voor buitenlanders net zo hard applaudisseert als voor landgenoten en dat maakt wedstrijden in Nederland altijd bijzonder”, aldus Kyrklund. Stéphanie Peters (Roermond) legde met Jeff beslag op de vijfde plaats, terwijl Marlies van Baalen (Brakel) met BMC Kigali als negende eindigde. Jeannette Haazen (Neeroeteren – Bel) werd elfde en verknalde een kans op een hogere klassering door fouten te maken in de changementen.

KNHS Mediavoorlichting,
Jacob Melissen

Foto:  Mr. H.C.J.L. Borghouts (commissaris van de Koningin in de provincie Noord-Holland) feliciteert Anky van Grunsven met de overwinning in de FEI World Cup Dressage Qualifier presented by Provincie Noord Holland (Digital Photo Events)

De vanavond verreden BMC sponsorspringen-rubriek heeft flink wat geld opgeleverd voor de Prins Willem Alexandermanege in Amsterdam. Jumping Amsterdam hoofdsponsor BMC nam het initiatief voor deze bijzondere internationale 1.40m jacht springrubriek. Iedere keer als een ruiter foutloos over een hindernis kwam, stopte BMC 20 euro in de pot voor de Amsterdamse VPG-manege. De ruim 30 ruiters wisten maar liefst 10.000 euro bij elkaar te springen. De manege was enorm blij met het bedrag en kan juist op dit moment het geld goed gebruiken, want onlangs werd een waardevolle tractor van het bedrijf vervreemd. De rubriek werd gewonnen door Leon Thijssen met Oxford D’Esquelmes. Foto: Digital Photo Events

Vanavond om 20.15 uur wordt de piste van Jumping Amsterdam in de Amsterdam RAI omgetoverd tot ware voetbaltempel en komen we te weten of de deelnemers ook een topprestatie kunnen leveren in teamverband.

In een spectaculaire wedstrijd neemt een delegatie van de aanwezige spring-en dressuurruiters het namelijk in een korte voetbalwedstrijd op tegen een aantal prominente oud-voetballers van het Nederlands elftal. De ruiters worden vertegewoordigd door onder andere de altijd sportieve Laurens van Lieren, Gert-Jan Bruggink, Harry Smolders, Leon Thijssen, Maikel van der Vleuten en Abdel Saïd. Bondscoach van de pony’s, Junioren en Young Riders Sven Harmsen fungeert als doelman.

Harmsen’s tegenhanger voor het oud-Nederlands elftal is Fred Grim. Grim krijgt ondersteuning van de bekende oud-internationals Frank de Boer, Richard Witschge, Orlando Trustful, Simon Tahamata en Sjaak Swart. De wedstrijd wordt gefloten door de ervaren scheidsrechter Jan Keizer.

Foto: Digital Photo Events

This weekend the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„ ¢ series moves to Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands sometimes known as “the Venice of the North” due to its large collection of canals. Amsterdam epitomises Dutch culture in many ways, as contradictions comfortably co-exist. It is the tolerance – the “live and let live” attitude – of the Dutch people that singles them out as unique. First-time visitors may find it strange that when travelling by train most people prefer to sit alone and don’t immediately speak to strangers, but this is one of the most densely-populated places in the world and privacy is extremely important. The tiny country is home to 16.5 million people and, on closer acquaintance, its inhabitants are some of the friendliest people you will meet.

Despite being reserved, the Dutch can be alarmingly direct. Pragmatism is key to their nature and they tend to come to the point very quickly. While they see this directness as a positive personality trait however it can take the uninitiated by surprise, so as they extend their arm for a knuckle-breaking hand-shake accompanied by an unnerving degree of eye contact visitors are sometimes taken aback.
 
The term “going Dutch” refers to the practice of each individual paying their own way in a social situation. It is not intended to be distancing or offensive, its about practicality and about respecting each person in their own right. And although it may seem to be in stark contrast, that independence is allied with a strong sense of the collective. A study by Tilburg University suggests that the Dutch tend to be less competitive than many other Westerners, valuing team-work and consensus over individual gain – perhaps these admirable characteristics go some way toward explaining the remarkable successes of Dutch equestrian teams in recent years.
 
Think about Holland, as it is also known, and for many of us the first things that spring to mind may be tulips, Van Gogh, windmills and clogs.
 
Flowers, or to be more precise flower bulbs, are big business. The Netherlands produces about nine billion of them annually which accounts for almost two bulbs per person on the planet – now that’s a lot of flowers! The tulip remains the most popular and recognisable but after its introduction in 1593 its popularity almost crippled the economy and the “tulip bubble” that resulted from ridiculously high prices and massive speculation had to be burst by legal means. Originally from Turkey, this special flower underwent experimentation at the hands of the famous botanist Carolus Clusius and others and new colour variations were developed so that from a much sought-after but unaffordable commodity it eventually became available to all. The Dutch are very proud of their flower-growing tradition and each bulb, they say, holds a promise – a promise of a world alive with colour and good cheer from the last snows of winter through the first frosts of autumn.
 
The brilliant but tragic post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh incorporated the bright colours of flowers in his later paintings and drawings and his work continues to be loved and treasured world-wide. Born in 1853 he worked for a firm of art dealers early in his adult life and then became a teacher and missionary before embarking on the career that would see him produce more than 2,000 works, most during the last ten years of his life which, after recurrent bouts of mental illness, ended in suicide in 1890. Van Gogh once said, “I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day,” and in Amsterdam you can view his genius in the spacious Van Gogh Museum at Paulus Potterstraat. Museums are plentiful in this city, and the other two most popular ones are the Rijksmuseum which includes works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Hals and which houses Rembrandt’s legendary “Nightwatch” and the Stedelijk which has a major collection of modern art.
 
Clogs, traditional wooden shoes, are readily available in Amsterdam but much more surprisingly so are windmills! Believe it or not there are eight stunning examples in the heart of the city which are well-worth a visit, armed of course with a camera to take full advantage.
 
The Oude Kerk, an old church with little houses clinging to its sides, remains a haven in the heart of the frenetic Red Light District and the Begijnhof is a must-see location. A narrow, vaulted passageway leads to this charming garden surrounded by old houses which were once occupied by Beguine nuns and in the centre of the lawn is a medieval church, while at No. 34 stands the oldest house in Amsterdam. Entry is free, but you are expected to treat this place with the respect it deserves by staying very quiet.
 
No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a trip down one of the many canals. The Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Singel are the four main waterways in the city centre and a boat cruise by day is fascinating and relaxing, while at night there is a romantic feel enhanced by the lights of the house and bridges along the way.
 
However although perhaps not the most beautiful spots in this fascinating city, the Dam Square is one of the most important historically. At the very heart of Amsterdam, it has witnessed many great moments including the arrival of Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 take-over and here stands the Royal Palace, originally used as the town hall and intended to glorify the city and its government.
 
Amsterdam awaits as the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping series comes to town……
 
By Louise Parkes      

Anky van Grunsven en IPS Salinero wonnen zojuist de Grand Prix, de kwalificatie voor de uitverkochte KÃ ¼r op muziek van de serie FEI wereldbeker dressuur die morgenmiddag plaatsvindt. Een percentage van 78,042% en een unanieme eerste plaats had het vijftal juryleden voor het Olympische kampioensduo over, dat overigens vast van plan is om ook de komende Olympische Spelen naar de hand te zetten.

Voor de fraaie verheven draf appuyementen konden de juryleden negens en tienen kwijt. Het kleine moment van schrikken na de galop zig zag richting de jury wist Anky soepeltjes om te buigen en ze hield haar geweldenaar op het juiste pad.

Gouden ploeggenoot van het EK Imke Schellekens-Bartels en Hunter Douglas Sunrise werden tweede (74,167%) na een zichtbaar gemakkelijke rit. “Gaaf, ’t voelde alsof niets ook maar enige moeite kostte!”, zei Bartels. De Finse Kyra Kyrklund en Max werden derde (71,792%) met een ontspannen rit met een mooie paffe en passage. Daarmee werd een geheel Nederlandse top drie voorkomen. Nu werden Stéphanie Peters en haar Jeff vierde (69,667%). “Maar er zit nog veel rek in! Jeff was vandaag iets te kriegel al op het voorterrein. Morgen beter”, beloofde trainer en partner Xavier Schulkens.

Het grootste applaus verdiende overigens Jeannette Haazen. Deze amazone plaatste zich met 65,125% en de 14e plaats nog voor deelname aan de Kür morgen.   Op weg naar de eerste wereldbekerwedstrijd in Odense (Denemarken) kreeg het echtpaar een auto-ongeluk met de vrachtwagen. Ze reden tegen een niet verlichte stilstaande auto op de snelweg. Nu zijn ze na een zware ziekenhuisperiode van Chris de zesde wedstrijd van de zeven in de serie kwalificatiewedstrijden om de wereldbeker weer van de partij. Over doorzettingsvermogen en sportmentaliteit gesproken!

Tekst, Claartje van Andel, www.dressagedirect.com

Foto: Digital Photo Events

Mattijs de Bruijn uit Bussum is de gelukkige winnaar van het Jumping Amsterdam VIP arrangement. Mattijs was een van de vele Sky Radio 101 FM luisteraars die de prijsvraag op de Sky Radio website goed beantwoordde. Het juiste antwoord op de vraag wie de nieuwe kà ¼r op muziek van Anky van Grunsven componeerde was Wibi Soerjadi. Mattijs is de komende dagen met twee personen te gast in de VIP loge van Jumping Amsterdam in de Amsterdam RAI.