Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN) made a powerful return to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ stage in Herning (DEN), claiming a convincing victory in the opening leg of the Western European League with a score of 90.175% aboard Mount St John Freestyle. The Danish athlete finished more than 8.5% ahead of runner-up Patrik Kittel (SWE), who scored 81.645% with Touchdown, the horse that helped him win the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 in Riyadh (KSA). Maria von Essen (SWE) and Invoice completed the podium in third with 81.040%, matching their result from last year’s Herning leg.
The road to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2026 in Fort Worth (USA) began in style at the Jyske Bank Boxen Arena in Herning, where the home crowd cheered loudly for Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen Aps and Mount St John Equestrian LLP). The pair, who took team bronze and two individual silver medals at the Jiva Hill Stables FEI Dressage European Championship 2025 in Crozet (FRA) just six weeks ago, were back in top form once again. Freestyle looked even fresher than in Crozet, showing an ideal balance between energy and relaxation.
The Herning atmosphere marked a clear return to indoor competition, with most horses showing extra sparkle and energy. “Outdoor, the sound disappears faster, indoor, it just comes right at you,” Laudrup-Dufour smiled.
“In the Grand Prix, Freestyle was sharper than ever! Today in the Freestyle she was more focused but still full of energy and motivation. I just took what she offered. I’m proud that we could ride a fault-free Freestyle, because my floorplan is very tricky.”
“The crowd created an electric atmosphere throughout the evening, clapping along the final lines for many combinations. “They just give you wings,” said Laudrup-Dufour. “During the test they’re dead quiet, hoping for the best for you, they cheer for everyone, not just for the home-riders.”
Kittel and von Essen complete Swedish success
Second-placed Patrik Kittel was full of praise for both his horse and the Herning audience. “They’re so supportive! And I think that’s a good thing: the audience should be enthusiastic, clap and have fun, of course in a way that’s fair for the horses, but the horses get used to it.”
His 13-year-old gelding Touchdown (owned by Sommarkvarn AB) showed excellent form in the freestyle, with Touchdown swinging through his body, with highlights in the lateral work. “Yesterday he was maybe a bit too fresh, but today everything was back in shape. I was very happy with him,” Kittel said.
Maria von Essen (SWE) expressed similar satisfaction after her third-place ride on Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst AB). “It’s wonderful to be here and sit next to these two,” she smiled. Her elegant black gelding once again shone in the collected movements, the piaffe, passage and pirouettes, and they performed to music from Les Misérables, a Freestyle originally created for Laudrup-Dufour and her former ride Bohemian.
Strong showing from host nation Denmark
For the host nation, Carina Cassøe Krüth (DEN) and her Olympic mare Heiline’s Danciera (owned by Poul Thøgersen) finished fourth with 80.510%, becoming the first combination of the day to break the 80% barrier. Her canter pirouettes stood out as particular highlights.
Fellow Dane Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN) and Favour Gersdorf (owned by the rider) impressed again after their appearance in the Freestyle Final at the Crozet Europeans, today scoring 77.170% for sixth place after a clean, confident performance.
Germany’s Raphael Netz also delivered a smooth test aboard Great Escape Camelot (owned by Therese Boss and Sonja Kristina Krall). Riding immediately after Laudrup-Dufour, with the crowd still on their feet, he showed composure and feel, particularly in the passage and half-passes.
Veterans and rising stars
Sweden’s team was well represented beyond the podium, with experienced Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén (SWE) on Hyatt (owned by Lövsta Stuteri AB) and Sofie Lexner (SWE) on Inoraline W (owned by Christinelund Dressage).
Vilhelmson-Silfvén scored 75.005% riding to her Good Vibrations Freestyle, composed by the late Cees Slings, who passed away earlier this week. Vilhelmson-Silfvén has in Hyatt a mare with plenty of energy and talent for collection, though her eagerness sometimes still gets in the way.
Dutch athlete Geert Jan Raateland (NED) and Gladiator (owned by VMF Stables) slotted in between the two Swedish riders with a solid test showing great collected work, though a bit of tension in the canter cost some marks.
Young guns impress
Two of the youngest competitors in the field earned their place in the prize-giving ceremony.
Moritz Treffinger (GER, 22) delivered a confident World Cup debut with Cadeau Noir (owned by Gestüt Bonhomme GmbH & Co. KG), scoring 76.505% with a bold Backstreet Boys-themed Freestyle, where the canter tour particularly impressed the judges.
Just behind him came Rowena Weggelaar (NED, 20) and her 17-year-old Don Quichot (owned by Nelly Weggelaar), scoring 75.240% for eighth place with a clean and harmonious Freestyle. Weggelaar was also part of the Dutch team at the recent European Championship in Crozet and now looks set to target the indoor World Cup season.
Eyes on Fort Worth
While none of the Herning top three have yet confirmed their FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final plans, all agreed that next year’s FEI Dressage World Championship in Aachen (GER) remains their main goal. Kittel, however, hinted that he intends to compete in several more World Cup qualifiers this season.
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ now moves on to Lyon (FRA) in two weeks’ time, so don’t miss a hoofbeat!
RESULTS here.
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