Salinero

Who is Salinero?

IPS Salinero is a horse ridden by the Dutch equestrian Anky van Grunsven in the sport of dressage.

Salinero was expected to be a jumper, and is a full brother to Olympic show jumper Seven Up, but when Sjef Janssen noticed the potential the horse had for dressage, he purchased him for American Tess Guilder. After the gelding did well at the lower levels, Sjef and his wife Anky purchased him for themselves.

Anky van Grunsven has since achieved success with the gelding, winning the individual gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and numerous international Grands Prix. On Salinero, she won the title at Aachen in 2004, making her the first Dutch rider to win there.

As of late 2008, Salinero competed under the name "IPS Salinero," changed from the former Gestion Salinero and Keltec Salinero.

Salinero is very sensitive, and during the earliest stages of his Grand Prix career he could get tense. However, as he has matured, the gelding has become more relaxed and his scores have improved. After his rides, Salinero is rewarded with bananas.

At age 16, Salinero retired from the big shows. However, injury to van Grunsven's IPS Upido caused her to bring Salinero back in her bid for the 2012 Olympics. Salinero's return to the big shows was at CDIO Saumur, where the combination placed second.