The competition in GP and 6 years is close

The Olympic rider from Mijas, Daniel Martín, reveals the complexity of this year’s two Ancce Cup competitions, which he will try to win with Malagueño and Vencedor JLE. He also describes the role of our riders in dressage in Tokyo as a “success” and predicts a great performance for the rider Alejandro Sánchez del Barco with Trapalo de Indalo in Verden, Germany.

 Two-time Olympic rider from Mijas (London 2012 and Rio 2016) José Daniel Martín is frank in admitting that the Grand Prix and the 6-year old test of the Ancce Cup at Sicab 2021, to be held from 16 to 21 November, is more difficult than ever due to the high level of the riders who will ride it. Francisco Santiago Ruiz’s goal with Malagueño is to try to win it. “It is going to be very difficult because there is a very high level in the Grand Prix. This year there are very good pairings that are going to give a lot of quality and excitement to the competition”, he says. On the other hand, the rider recognises that “personally, it makes things much more difficult for you”. However, the challenge is to go and win it. And, if not, to try to be in the top three, he admits with the simplicity that characterises him.

With Vencedor de José Luis de la Escalera, the rider from Mijas, who has not yet done any competition with him, wants to revalidate the title of Ancce Cup Champion that he won last year in the 5 years old category. This time, in 6 years old, there is a “brutal” level, he says. “As I haven’t competed I can’t tell you where I am. If I have a chance or no chance at all. With Malagueño I know it’s difficult but I know I’m in the leading group. With Vencedor JLE, as I haven’t competed, as I don’t have any marks, I don’t know, but I do know where the others are and I do know that they are at a very good level. Let’s see what happens…”, he declares. So expectations are high.

For the time being, Daniel Martín is one hundred percent immersed in the La Zambomba Equestrian Centre, which he runs alongside his partner Cristina Durán, the rider who surprised us all after winning the GPS and GP with Jareño de Mª José Povedano at the CDN *** Los Albardones, following her recent maternity. José Daniel Martín, besides getting on the tractor if necessary to smooth the sand track, does not stop travelling, he has recently been in Rome giving classes at Andrea Giovannini’s house, the clinic outside, etc., etc., etc. For this reason, he has not even been able to watch the Olympics live, although he has been following the results.

Olympics

Spain came seventh in dressage in the team competition. A “success” in the words of the Olympic rider who hopes that “hopefully soon we can be a little higher”. In the last three Olympics, our country has obtained the same result, an Olympic diploma. “We are among the best”, he stresses, although he recognises that “there is a high level in other countries”. Therefore, better horses are needed. According to him, “we are perhaps two steps behind Germany, England, ….”. You have to have a very good portfolio. It is quite an expensive investment and nobody guarantees that the horse will make it. It’s a bit complicated”, he points out.

Regarding the World Young Horse Championships, to be held from 23 to 27 August in Verden, Germany, he acknowledges beforehand that “it’s the same as with the Olympics. We are not going to win any medals, nor be in the top three, unfortunately. The quality of the horses they have right now is far superior”.  Thus, the idea is to go “without any complexes. To give everything”. About our rider, Alejandro Sánchez del Barco says that “he can do well in Verden” because he is a rider who rides “very well”. “Although he is young, he has experience. With Trapalo de Indalo he has been riding for three years, he is taming him, a horse of quality”, so he predicts a great performance.