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Gold Medalist Anky van Grunsven Learning Reining
Yes, you read the headline right! Watch out western riders – there’s new competition on the horizon. Olympic dressage gold medalist Anky van Grunsven says she’d like to compete in both dressage and reining at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Anky apparently received a western saddle as a gift during an Olympic celebration party, and has been taking reining lessons after schooling her own horses, with her neighbour Rieky Young, in Vorstenbosch in The Netherlands.
“I don’t have my own reining horse,” she told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “I’m testing a few horses at Rieky’s. I first want to feel which horse fits me. The sliding and turning, which make the sport so spectacular, are easy to teach. The hard bit is the basis and that everything happens only with one hand. I notice that I think too much when I train with Rieky. The fun bit is that Rieky is not afraid to shut up. Besides Sjef, not many people dare to correct me when I’m riding a horse. Rieky is not bothered by that.”
Story from: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz
This makes me upset, although I think she has a cowboy mentality to begin with I just don’t get what she is hoping to gain by taking up reining.
Reining would be great for Anky.
Way to go, Anky! I personally took up dressage recently to help my reining. I’m so glad she appreciates that the two sports are really 2 sides of the same coin. Her reputation will help usher Reining into the Olympics and acceptance by the horse world as a great competitive sport. If you’ve never ridden a reining horse, you are missing out!
I’ve also seen some wonderful “pas de deux” performances with reiners and dressage horses. The kind of visibility Anky brings is great news for everyone in the horse world. I would go to the 2010 WEG just to see her compete in both events!!
Reiner/Dressage Rider,
Make those plans and come and see us at the games!! It will be a blast!
Glenn the geek
I plan on coming for at least the Dressage Freestyle and the team Reining. To see all of the dressage and reining events you would have to stay for 2 weeks. It’s too bad they are so spread out, but it is wonderful that there are so many great equestrian sports. We’ll see you there!
She will have to qualify first though. It is not like you can just show up.