Following a four-month recovery and rehabilitation for a torn tendon sheath, Grandioso reappeared in the showring at CHIO Aachen with results to reassure all that the horse is still a team asset for Rio.[nbsp]
In February, on the way to a CDI in Jerez, Grandioso suffered an injury in transit that required minor surgery in March, to repair a a small tear to the "manica"--the synovial membrane that surrounds the tendon structure. His prognosis for competing by summer was very good according to the surgeon, and each step taken along the way to recovery, including aqua-training at Dos Lunas Dressage facility and meticulous interval training under saddle, produced promising results. At the end of the rehabilitation period and back in full work in late May, Grandioso appeared stronger, fresher and even more elastic than before the injury.[nbsp]
However, the horse needed to demonstrate his soundness and willingness to compete in one of the Olympic qualifiers designated by Spain. By the time Dani felt the horse was ready to go back in the ring, CHIO Aachen--the world's most prestigious horse show--was the only chance left to prove that Grandioso was ready to go to Rio. Luis Lucio, technical trainer of the Spanish Dressage Team, entered Dani and Grandioso in the 4* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, leaving the 5* Nations Cup team spots for those horses who had competed throughout the year.[nbsp]
At CHIO 2016, Dani and Grandioso made a solid comeback--placing in the ribbons in both classes with outstanding results that trended upward from the first to second test --71.5 and 8th place in the Grand Prix; 72.1 and 5th place in the Grand Prix Special--easily demonstrating the horse's quality and fitness for an even bigger arena.
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Photos taken from the below articles covering the event. Our thanks to the photographers.
http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=37175
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