British equestrian magazine Horse & Hound is reporting that the Anky van Grunsven has been chosen as an alternate for the Dutch Reining Team contending for a medal at the World Equestrian Games.
Van Grunsven, a three-time world champion in dressage, was named to the team after finishing second at her very first FEI event, according to the magazine. She doesn’t expect to go to WEG. Anky’s dressage partner, Salinero, was injured earlier this year; her reserve dressage horse, Painted Black, was recently sold to Spanish young rider Morgan Barbançon, 18. Painted Black stands sixth in the FEI world rankings.
Anky has been reining for about 10 years, but, when she was given a western saddle after the 2008 Olympics, she became more competitive. The 42-year-old has been riding Whizashiningwalla BB in her reining pursuits.
