Today at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, the brand new Grand Prix Kur World Champion announced that she is pregnant with a second child. The 38-year old Dutch dressage rider is already three months pregnant and is planned to give birth begin March 2007.

Therefore, Van Grunsven will most likely miss the 2007 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, but she has made it clear that her equestrian career will not sideline her for too long. She will be focusing herself fully on the preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games in Bejing.

Van Grunsven is already mother to a son, Yannick Janssen, who was born 10 weeks early on November 23, 2004. Her first pregnancy was announced right after she won individual gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Her second pregnancy is now announced on day after her gold Kur medal in Aachen.

by Astrid Appels/ Eurodressage

The 2006 World Equestrian GamesRead Insightful Reports on the Rides at Eurodressage.comComplete coverage of all disciplines at the WEG at Horsesdaily.com