Anky Van Grunsven is the New World CUp Champion

Anky van Grunsven won the FEI World Cup Final for a record breaking sixth time in Duesseldorf last Sunday 4 April, with her new star Gestion Salinero.

The Dutch rider was the unanimous victor with all five judges, and on 83.45 per cent, scored three per cent higher then her pupil Edward Gal who took runner up position on the Dutch stallion Gestion Lingh. "I could not believe it could go so well", said van Grunsven, who admitted to feeling nervous at the start of her winning freestyle, which was the nine year-old Salinero's best performance yet. For Edward Gal, this was a thrilling result at the Dutch rider's first ever FEI World Cup Final. For third place, German rider Hubertus Schmidt produced a harmonious performance with the mare Wansuela Suerte to narrowly beat his compatriot Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte.All the finalists scored over 70 per cent.

Dr Volker Moritz, the judge at C, commented: "It was a fascinating competition, fantastic sport. Everyone went better than in the Grand Prix and the winners produced both power and harmony.

esults FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2004, Gestion Salinero (Anky Van Grunsven NED) 83.452, Gestion Lingh (Edward Gal NED) 80.623, Wansuela Suerte (Hubertus Schmidt GER) 78.874, Bonaparte (Heike Kemmer GER) 78.655, Wahajama UNICEF (Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff GER) 77.27
6, Nikolaus (Guenter Seidel USA) 76.977, Blom's Idocus (Marlies van Baalen NED) 76.90
8, Artax Condor (Elena Sidneva RUS) 75.809, Apache (Isabell Werth GER) 74.70
10, Just Mickey (Tinne Wilhelmson SWE) 72.4711, Wie Weltmeyer (Emma Hindle GBR) 72.45
12, Guinness (Louise Nathhorst SWE) 71.97

Highlights of The FEI World Cup Dressage Final are scheduled to be broadcast on Eurosport in a prime time slot - Wednesday 14 April at 21.00 C.E.T.

Vsit the website of the FEI World Cup Dressage Final: www.duesseldorf-masters.de for complete results