DressageDaily: Ictenos, Anky's Newest Hit

Tuesday, July 27 1999

Ictenos, Anky's Newest Hit

Ictenos

by Astrid Appels

Anky van Grunsven's newest mount Ictenos settled himself in second position in the overall ranking of the 5 year old class at the 1999 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses. Only one week in Anky's possession, the bay stallion showed three quality basic gaits with his uphill canter as highlight. Even though he was unbalanced and sometimes uneven in his extensions, the youngster improved gradually and finally ended up as Reserve Champion of the 5 year olds.

The bay Trakehner by Sir Chamberlaine x Marlon was bred by the famous George Hooghen of Gestut Vogelsanghof in Kevelaer, Germany. Ictenos already placed himself in the spotlight by winning the four year old dressage horse division at the International Trakehner Competition in Cologne, Germany, in 1998. Ictenos originally qualified for Arnhem under the German Stefanie Meyer Biss, but as he was purchased by Anky van Grunsven the organizing committee of Champion Arnhem gave the Dutch rider a wild card for this horse.

It was the first time that a Dutch rider contributed to the German cause because Anky van Grunsven competed a German Trakehner instead of a Dutch warmblood. Both countries thus benefitted from Ictenos' final second place; Germany saw the advantage in collecting extra points for the Breeding Association price (which was eventually won by the Oldenburger Verband) and The Netherlands received the individual silver medal.

The World Championships for Young Horses is the Dressagedaily feature July 24-30. For photos and videos of this exciting and interesting competition contact us info@horsesdaily.com