Source:  WDM press release FALSTERBO/Swe July 10 - Anky van Grunsven (NED) on IPS Painted Black won the Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group with 82,40%. Second was Ulla Salzgeber (GER) with Wakana, they got 75,90%. Third was Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE) and Favourit with 75,40%.

Anky van Grunsven gave a display of her trademark Queen of the Freestyle when she rode IPS Painted Black to victory in the Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Kür presented by Axel Johnson Group for her fifth WDM CDI5* title in two years of the richest lineup of competitions on the globe.

Competing in the inaugural €100,000 (US$126,400) WDM at the Falsterbo Horse Show and her first time at this summer beach resort, Anky and the 13-year-old stallion posted a score of 82.40 per cent. The freestyle that was presented by Axel Johnson Group had total prize money of €60,000 (US$75,800) with first place earning €16,000 (US$20,200).

Germany's Ulla Salzgeber and the 10-year-old mare Wakana placed second on 75.90 per cent withTinne Vilhelmson Silfven and Favourit awarded 75.40 per cent. They were the hometown favorites of the enthusiastic Swedish crowd that numbered 3,000 paid spectators and many hundreds more who crowded every available place around the arena in sunny weather with temperatures above 80 degrees (27C).

Painted Black suffered a minor injury earlier this year and Falsterbo was his first competition back, but winning the €10,000 Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe Grand Prix presented by Agria on Thursday showed the stallion was fully recovered.

Although Anky will not compete on the Dutch team at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September, she was accorded star treatment by the crowds who filled the dressage stadium from the practice day Wednesday, the Grand Prix Thursday, the Special Friday and the Freestyle Saturday. Competition from the CSI5* jumping including the Meydan Nations Cup that was going on in an adjacent arena appeared to have no impact on the crowds.

Anky, who came to Falsterbo as she usually does with her husband, Dutch coach Sjef Janssen, and their two children, was "very happy" with Painted Black despite a small error which she blamed on herself.

Other riders heaped praise on the WDM Falsterbo competition-Ulla Salzgeber described it as a "little championship with fantastic atmosphere that makes the riders grow and the horses grow when they come into the arena," while Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven said after her first WDM it was "fantastic" and hoped to participate more in the future.

Antonia Axson Johnson, whose family company was instrumental in bringing WDM to Falsterbo, said that this year was a "pilot" program that had worked "really, really well" and would like to help bring the event back to Falsterbo next year.
FALSTERBO/Sweden July 9 - Jonny Hilberath (GER)  riding Amüsant, which is owned by E. Max-Theurer, won the Moorlands Grand Prix Special presented by Agria. Second was Christa Laarakkers (NED) with Divoza Horseworld Ovation.  In third was Charlotte Haid Bondergaard (SWE) with Lydianus.

Germany's Jonny Hilberath who has been competing Amüsant internationally for just 4 months notched their first victory Saturday by winning the inaugural 30,000€ Moorlands Grand Prix Special Derby presented by Argia as part of the Exquis World Dressage Masters.

Hilberath and Amüsant, the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Elisabeth Max-Theurer and competed once internationally by her daughter Victoria almost two years ago, scored 69,292% despite mistakes in both the one- and two-tempi changes. The Netherlands' Christa Laarakkers and Divoza Horseworld Ovation finished second with 67,250% and hometown favorite Charlotte Haid Bondergaard on Lydianus was third on 66,292%.

For Jonny and Amüsant's first WDM, and the first time the Falsterbo Horse Show has included the prestigious CDI5* in its competition schedule, the win earned them 9,500€ while Christa, who competed earlier this year in Palm Beach, 7,000€ and Charlotte 5,500€.