De Rosa Daily
FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 - Aachen Germany
Exclusive coverage for HorsesDaily text and photos by Diana DeRosa

Other Observations of World Championship Dressage

After the medals were given out the riders mounted up on their horses for the final victory ride when suddenly Anky and Keltec Salinero came thundering around the arena. It sounded like Anky was screaming “help” and it was clear she was unable to stop her horse as they headed for the gate.

Of course we had to ask and Anky explained, “Salinero got really really scared in the prize giving and I did as well. Thank God there were some police horses that stopped me and everything is okay. I think I did the fastest ride today.”

Except for getting run away with, for the Germans, Dutch and U.S. riders things went well. Yet there were others who weren’t as fortunate. One rider from the Ukraine (Andriy Luk’ Yanov riding Gopak) was eliminated after forgetting his test. It really seemed strange to have this rider be competing in a World Equestrian Games and when his horse stopped his head did not and went flying right up into the air. This continued around the ring but it wasn’t long before the bell rang and he was excused.

While you felt embarrassed for Andriy in one way, in another it made you realize just how talented most of the field of riders were who qualified to come to Aachen Germany to compete.