Anky van Grunsven has cancelled her entry for the 2009 CDI-W Gothenburg which is set to take place this weekend in Sweden. Van Grunsven is suffering from back pain again which also caused her to withdraw from the London World Cup Qualifier. Salinero was already on his way to Sweden, but the lorry driver had to turn round and drive back home to Holland.
Van Grunsven had planned to make her post-Olympic come back with Salinero (by Salieri x Lungau) in Gothenburg. As the Dutch Olympic champion needs to ride Salinero in two World Cup Qualifiers in order to be eligible to compete in the 2009 World Cup Finals, Anky scheduled in Gothenburg and 's Hertogenbosch to meet the criteria.
"I'm so bummed out," Anky said. "Totally because I wanted to make my come back with Salinero and I have to ride two qualifiers to be able to start him in the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. I can only ride the Indoor Brabant qualifier now and I prefer to start Salinero in Las Vegas."
Because Van Grunsven won the 2008 World Cup Finals, she is automatically qualified for the Finals if she competes in two world cup qualifiers the next season. Van Grunsven is currently seeing a sport doctor who is examining her back.
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
Source Anky.com
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2009 World Cup Finals