Scandinavian podium at the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup Herning

Patrik Kittel (SWE) riding Touchdown secured the first win at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League in Herning (DEN) today ahead of four Danish riders.

*Patrik Kittel with Touchdown. Photo: Ridehesten.com/Kristine Ulsø Olsen*

Press release

“I cannot remember when I last won four classes in a weekend,” said Patrik Kittel. He clinched the victory in the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle presented by ECCO in Herning (DEN) riding the brilliant Touchdown by Quaterback to victory with 84,065% in the opening leg of the World Cup-series in the Western European league.

Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald had an emotional weekend, as she decided to ride her Olympic Partner Blue Hors Zack by Harmony’s Rousseau for the very last time in international sport. The 19-year-old breeding stallion, made some mistakes in the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix on Saturday, but in the Freestyle Zack was focused and Nanna was very pleased with her Freestyle –shown partly to the tune: Time to Say Goodbye. They earned 82,82% from the judges Susanne Baarup (DEN), Hans-Christian Mattiesen (DEN), Henning Lehrmann (GER), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED) and Peter Storr (GBR). Coming into second place.

Going in as last rider in the impressive Jyske Bank Boxen, Lone Bang Zindorff (DEN) focused on riding a flawless test, and after her final salute, it was mission accomplished. With her 13-year-old mare Thranegaardens Rostov by Romanov she mowed from a 5th placed in the World Cup Grand Prix to a podium place, when she placed herself in front of her trainer, Andreas Helgstrand riding the 9-year-old Danish Warmblood mare Queenparks Wendy by Sezuan into fourth place with 81,160%

“I have to say, the lap of honour, having Touchdown being so cool, I could high-five the audience and it’s an amazing feeling. The people in Boxen are so supportive – it’s great sport and it’s just a great atmosphere to be in”, said Patrik Kittel at the press conference.

You have the possibility to watch the press conference here below ⬇️

About FEI Dressage World Cup

Four leagues (the Western European League - WEL, the Central European League - CEL, the North American League - NAL, and the Pacific League -PAL.) makes this series truly global and provide athletes from all around the world with an opportunity to qualify for the Final which will be taking place in Riyadh in April 2024.

In Western Europe, the level of Dressage is huge, and the world’s best riders will attend this World Cup League again this year. The series will take us to 11 different venues in Western Europe this season. The series opened in Herning (DEN).