Soest (The Netherlands), July 14 (IANS) At 42, triple dressage Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven is aiming for gold in her seventh Summer Games’ appearance, a Dutch record.
Van Grunsven debuted at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and became champion for the first time in Sydney 2000 with her horse Bonfire. In 2004 and 2008, she defended her title with Salinero. She had also grabbed silver in 1996 and captured four silver medals with the Dutch dressage team, Xinhua reports.
“I am Olympic champion for twelve years now, that’s what I am very proud of,” she said.
“Competing in seven Olympics were all different experiences. In 2000, I won thanks to Bonfire. He really deserved that medal. I really did not feel it was mine, but his.”
“In 2004, my father died just before the Olympics and I did not think I had a chance,” added Van Grunsven.
“For me it was the most emotional year ever. If I think about that I could cry because it was so emotional. Beijing in 2008 was my toughest one. Maybe I am the proudest of that one because it was very difficult and I did not expect that it could be true to have a third medal in a row.”
In London, Van Grunsven will defend her dressage title with Salinero again.
“He is a very strong character,” she explained.
“OK, he is 18, but in great shape. He really wants to do the job. I feel that when he was out for two years because of injury he got in bit of a grumpy mood. Now I am working on him again. He gets in a good mood, he is fit and enjoying his work. I am enjoying it as well and is the biggest reason why I am still riding.”
Van Grunsven expects tough team competition in London.
“This year might be more difficult,” she said. “We had a very strong team in the past, but it will be harder as more young horses are coming up.”
