Anky_van_Grunsven_OG.jpgHong Kong – Anky Van Grunsven claimed her third consecutive individual gold medal at the equestrian stadium in Hong Kong tonight (Tuesday). Lying second, but only 0.24% behind Germany’s Isabell Werth after Saturday’s Grand Prix Special, the Dutch star came into her own in the Freestyle to Music (Kur) which in recent years she has made all her own. And as Salinero danced his way to victory, Werth had to settle for silver with Satchmo while fellow team gold medallist, Heike Kemmer, claimed third with Bonaparte.

It was a night filled with emotion, and the tension was palpable as Sweden’s Jan Brink and Briar laid down the standard with a lovely performance as the first five-strong group showed their paces. “I’m very happy with my horse,” the rider said after recording a score of 73.450% which, when combined with his Grand Prix Special result, gave him an overall mark of 71.205%. “Briar is a stallion so he suits powerful music. He can feel the music and you try to make the music go according to the horse,” he pointed out.

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Brink was quickly overtaken by Emma Hindle as the second session got underway however, the British rider earning a mark of 74.250% to complete with a combined score of 72.345% with Lancet who showed great coordination and rhythm, particularly in passage, to the beat of the Bee Gees. And this was a colossal achievement for the 33-year old rider who revealed tonight that her Olympic appearance was little short of miraculous.

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