London Olympic GHPC News
Welcome back home Edward & Frits
The Olympic Games in London are now history for the dressage riders. Edward and Frits can be justifiably proud of their performance and impressive track record: ninth in the individual event and a bronze medal with the Dutch team. It was not only a dream come true for the horse's owners – the Glock family – but also the whole team supporting Edward. Trainer Nicole Werner, friend for life Hans Peter Minderhoud, groom Vanessa and all the helping hands you need to achieve such success.
"When we chose Undercover, we thought that he would be an incredible horse in the years to come. He knew how the movements went but was not consistent and had hardly any competition experience. But then when we started training with him, we were really impressed. He learned so quickly and above all over the past one and a half months we got such a lot back from him. What I think was important was that we did not expect too much or put too much pressure on him over the Olympics. You have to be extremely careful when training a horse like Undercover that wants to perform, wants to obey and move forward. He has learned so many new things, is so talented and can concentrate so well that we look to the future with great anticipation. During the Olympics we were not allowed to mention our sponsors by name, which is a shame because without them we would not have been there. I now want to thank the Glock family from the bottom of my heart. It was they who gave us a chance to concentrate fully on our sport. And I am delighted that our performance at the Olympics goes to show just how much we appreciate it and did our best in return. Buying a horse and only four months later seeing it as one of the front-runners at the Olympics proves it was a worthwhile investment!"
The journey back flew past. First, the medal had to be celebrated in style at the Dutch House, with Edward giving a stage diving demonstration, and then it was off home. At the stables, straw, carrots and the stall decorated with a lot of bright orange was waiting for Frits. Edward, Nicole and Hans Peter naturally also received a warm welcome. Now it is time for a break. Frits can enjoy the freedom of the paddock and will be kept happy with some light training. At the beginning of September, they will return to Austria, to Treffen in Carinthia and the premiere CDI4* where Edward will be taking part in an Austrian competition for the first time with GLOCK's Undercover.