Anky van Grunsven and Keltec Salinero reigned supreme last night in front of a Christmas-spirited full house to take Olympia's FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier.

"I loved riding in London", said the seven-time FEI World Cup champion. "The organisers have worked very hard and the crowd was very happy. It is important to have the World Cup in the big cities."

Keltec Salinero was on full power after managing to hold still in his first halt. Despite being "a bit impressed" by the atmosphere and showing nerves in one pirouette, the superlative Hanoverian inspired his rider to think of even higher goals after a 82 per cent freestyle victory over pupil, team mate and rival Edward Gal.

"I know it can be even better", said van Grunsven. "No matter what the score or the place, my goal is to achieve the best from myself and my horse."

Edward Gal also had a powerful ride for 78.85 per cent, which just held second from Isabell Werth and the mighty chestnut Warum Nicht FRH, who is proving so impressive this season.

"Apart from one mistake in the first extension 'Hannes' really concentrated", said Werth of the horse nicknamed after his original rider Hannes Baumgart, from whom owner Madeleine Winter-Schulze bought the Hanoverian three years ago. She was charmed by the traditional atmosphere at Olympia where the dress code is black tie for evening performances. "It was so special", added the German rider, who will now enjoy Christmas at home before resuming her World Cup campaign, with Warum Nicht FRH likely to play the leading role. " Both he and Satchmo have come on so much this year. I'm so happy with them. For next year, watch this space!"

With Imke Schellekens-Bartels taking fourth with some lovely moments from the mare Sunrise, just ahead of Kyra Kyrklund and Max, whose quirky music proved a talking point, the highest placed rider for the home team was Britain's youngest ever National Champion Laura Bechtolsheimer who now heads the standings on 42 points.

The Bristol University student, who hopes to qualify for the Final in Amsterdam next year, felt that she and Douglas Dorsey were acclimatising well to the indoor atmosphere. "It is our first grand prix season and I've very proud of what we've achieved", said Bechtolsheimer, who spends at least two hours a day in her car to combine training and studying. Her subjects, philosophy and politics, " …are useful in this game" she quipped!

Judge at C Stephen Clarke commented: " We judges had a great time. It was pure pleasure to judges these horses, and with fantastic interpretation of the music, it showed the audience that you don't have to be an expert in dressage to appreciate how good it is."

The momentum rolls on for this season with the first ever FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier hosted in Frankfurt taking place this weekend. Among the starters, Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff, Ellen Schulten-Baumer and Klaus Husenbeth could all be moving up the standings list before Christmas, as could Holland's Laurens van Lieren.

Result
FEI World Cup Qualifier Freestyle to Music
Supported by Berkeley Homes and Horse and Hound

1, Keltec Salinero (Anky van Grunsven NED) 82.85
2, Group 4 Securicor Lingh (Edward Gal NED) 78.85
3, Warum Nicht (Isabell Werth GER) 78.37
4, Sunrise (Imke Schellekens-Bartels NED) 76.92
5, Max (Kyra Kyrklund SWE) 76.12
6, Douglas Dorsey (Laura Bechtolsheimer GBR) 73.92
7, Royal Black Label (Elena Kalinina RUS) 73.67
8, Lancet (Emma Hindle GBR)
9, Hardthof's Ludewig G 71.75
10, Lorenzo CH (Wayne ChannonGBR) 71.17

Media officer: Candy Burnyeat
Tel: +44 20 7598 6526
Email: candyb.hpim@easynet.co.uk
Website: www.olympiashowjumping.com

FEI World Cup Standings (after 9 competitions, including 5 Central European League) 1, Laura Bechtolsheimer (GBR) 42 2, Anky van Grunsven (NED) 40 3, Lone Joergensen (DEN) 37 4. Edward Gal (NED) 34 5, Ellen Schulten-Baumer 32 6, Isabell Werth (GER) 30 7, Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff (GER) and Laurens van Lieren (NED 27 9, Louise Nathhorst (SWE) 26 10, Imke Schellekens-Bartels (NED) 25

CDI-W Frankfurt
Media Contact: Stefanie Strobl, Kerstin Hainle, Patricia Tietje
Escon Marketing GmbH
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Timetable
Friday 16th December 12.15-16.00
FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix
Preis der Messe Frankfurt

Sunday 18th December 08.30-11.10
FEI World Cup Qualifier Freestyle to Music
Preis der Schindling-Rheinberger Stifftung