Youngster Dressage Tour at Agravis Cup Oldenburg won by Vitalos FRH & Leonie Richter

Prize giving - Youngster Dressage Tour. Photo: screenshot Clipmyhorse

“Feines Reiten”

The national event Agravis Cup in Oldenburg with Youngster Dressage Tour (7-9 yr old horses) in S* (Prix St. Georg level).

Top 4 was with absolut “feines Reiten”. Nice correct frame, steady soft contact, supple and obedient horses.

Vitalos by Vitalis / De Niro with Leonie Richter is super impressive in the trot work, good walk tour, the canter is from the basic quality unfortunately not that strong. Missing more suppleness over the back which makes the strides often quick and lacking more volume, which also is reflected today with parallel hind for change after extended canter, tensions for half pirouettes and series.

DSP Diamante Negro by Delorean / Fürst Romancier and Juliane Brunkhorst were showing an effortless and easy performance with overall very nice qualities for all three basic gaits. Great ability for canter half pirouettes and super series. A performance with a clear surplus picture. From H2R point a very interesting horse for the future as he brings presence, qualities and abilities for next level.

Kira Wulferding with the very modern and lightfooted 7 yr old Taycan W by Tolegro / Breitling W. Easy flow and expressive where a few tensions creeping in but for sure a very attractive combination.

Florine KIenbaum shows DSP Big Bang by Bon Coeur / Quadroneur. Super tact and balance with power from hind for each step in the trot tour with good expression. End of the walk tour becomes bit tense. Strong canter tour showing huge ability and strength for half pirouettes and big flying changes of the ground.

Friday afternoon with final starting 15.15 (live at Clipmyhorse).

Placed combinations:

World Cup Grand Prix victory in Lyon today goes to DSP Quantaz & Isabell Werth

DSP Quantaz & Isabell Werth winner of World Cup Grand Prix Lyon - photo: screeshot Clipmyhorse

10th World Cup Grand Prix and 3rd win

DSP Quantaz and Isabell Werth has already been successful winning two former World Cup Grand Prix classes, back in Stuttgart 2022 and s´Hertogenbosch March 2024, and today they could add another World Cup Grand Prix victory.

Werth and Quantaz showed an overall strong performance and Werth is just a true master “in the ring”, as Quantaz never makes a performance where Werth is just cruising around. He gives the impression of if Werth is not super sharp he will kind of make his own agenda. But today as many other times Werth was sharp when needed and performed and error free test. Even with some minor tension and a not that “flashy” walk tour, the scoreboard still said +76 after final halt.

Kittel and Touchdown showed one of their best performances today. Even when the performance was not totally polished the overall picture was more harmonious and look as if Kittel is riding with a little less pressure, which makes the difference.

Placed 3rd on home soil Pauline Basquin with Sertorius de Rima. The natural go and flow eclipses the not most attractive piaffe tours and some tensions creeping into the series, but the overall harmony makes the difference.

Belgium Larissa Pauluis with 14 yr old Flambeau has made such a great progress over the years. From being spooky turning around when things looked great, he must have given some “grey hair”. But Larissa has just kept her plan from event to event, and over the last year they´ve just gained more and more stability. The qualities has always been obvious but getting there definitely was proved with today Personal Best score 73,913%.

If you want to see running H2R comments on each combination - they are available at H2R Facebook.

Results - https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2024/longines-equita-lyon-concours-hippique-international-lyon/resultlist_D01.html

FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CUPTM - GRAND PRIX PRESENTED BY CRE-ARA SO LET [THE HORSES] DANCE!

This morning, the FEI Dressage World CupTM got underway at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, the first of four FEI World CupsTM stages to be held at the event this year! The world's top riders battled it out in the Grand Prix presented by CRE-ARA in the arena at Lyon-Eurexpo. It ended with another victory for the queen of the discipline, Germany's Isabell Werth, riding DSP Quantaz, and an extremely fine third place for France's Pauline Basquin, on Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, the Olympic pairing, who this summer had the spectators in Versailles dancing to sound of Alors on Danse (So, let's dance) by Stromae during their freestyle routine!

3rd placed Pauline Basquin & Sertorius de Rima - photo: ©PSV - Jean Morel

Germany's Isabell Werth knows the FEI Dressage World CupTM track at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International by heart. Indeed, this living legend of equestrian sports has already won six times in Lyon, in front of an audience that just loves the ways she rides. On the back of her seventh Olympic title, which she won this summer in the gardens of the Château de Versailles, the German legend lived up to her reputation, setting the bar very high right from the start of this Grand Prix presented by CRE-ARA. With a score of 76.457%, she finished first in this inaugural class, well ahead of one of her main rivals, Sweden's Patrik Kittel, riding Touchdown with whom he won the FEI World CupTMFinal in Riyadh last April.

"Naturally, I'm very pleased. Here in Lyon, DSP Quantaz was making his big comeback in an indoor competition, which can sometimes make him nervous. But today, he was very relaxed. And I have to admit that it was one of his best tests. I hope I can keep him in this state of mind for the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. There should be even more spectators around the track, and the atmosphere will no doubt be even more electric than it was today, so we'll see... Whatever, it's already a great pleasure to be back at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, which is a perfect and exceptional show," explained the rider, before continuing to talk about her love of France.

And the love affair is clearly reciprocal, even though the German rider could soon be overtaken on the "clap-o-meter" by France's new national darling, the Cadre Noir de Saumur rider, Pauline Basquin, who finished third in this competition, while, at the same time, beating her personal record with Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE!
“I'm really happy. Sertorius hasn't competed for three months now. He was really responsive. But I like it when he's like that. In the arena, he was more composed and very attentive. So, I'm very pleased. And it's not so bad when you beat your record on the first time back in competition, which really bodes well for the rest of the season. When I entered the arena, I could feel that the spectators were really behind me, after their fantastic support during the Olympic Games this summer. I think we'll have to try and calm them down tomorrow, when we perform our freestyle to music routine to Stromae's music (laughs)!  I have to admit that I was quite stressed today. I'm usually pretty cool-headed, but after all the buzz on the internet this summer, I really wanted to make sure I didn't disappoint the French crowd." 
So, what can we expect tomorrow in the Grand Prix Freestyle presented by FFE Generali? "Well, we'll be dancing again!" Do not miss the event at 4pm!
 
Results of the FEI World CupTM Dressage, Grand Prix presented by CRE- ARA
1.     Isabell Werth (GER) & DSP Quantaz – 76.457%
2.     Patrik Kittel (SWE) & Touchdown – 74.935%
3.     Pauline Basquin (FRA) & Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE – 74.761% 

KWPN Stallion Show Program 2025 (Dressage 31 January & 1 February)

Two intensive DRESSAGE days at KWPN stallion show

The 2025 program is now ready for the Dutch KWPN stallion show. Super intensive days with a very well organised event, where you get the chance to see the next generation of young stallion together with already approved stallion, mixed with competitions of course licensing of stallions finished their performance test.


Egnethedstest på Vilhelmsborg

Vinder Svalegårds Disco & Liv Marie Stignæs med hendes mand Anders Stignæs - foto: H2R

Vilhelmsborg var rammen om søndagens egnethedstest, hvor 44 ekvipager var klar til start.

Igen med den rigtige vinder Svalegårds Disco, som på dagen var den mest komplette hest flot fremvist af Liv Marie Stignæs. Ekvipagen som også var til start i 4 års championatsfinalen på Ask, hvor de brillierede på førstedagen med en flot 2. plads, og hvor man tydeligvis kunne spotte et stort potentiale. Desværre tog spændinger i finalenrunden over og ekvipagen sluttede som nr. 10. Idag var Disco tydelig fokuseret på Liv hele vejen, og fik endnu engang vist både kvalitet og potentiale som man kun kan glæde sig til at se mere til i fremtiden.

Placeret som nr. 2 var rutinerede Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen med familiens egen avlet super hoppe Graastengaards Faquira e. Quaterhit / Hotline. Flot fremvist og samtidig med en tand mindre gas end til championatsfinalen. Det gav fortjent dagens 2. plads.

Dagens 3. plads tog flittige Silje Bakken sig af sammen med Skovgårdens Hollie e. Revolution / Don Olymbrio. Uden tvivl dagens bedste ridelighed, satte ikke en hov forkert, og gik nøjagtigt efter rytterens anvisninger (desværre alene belønnet med 8,5 i ridelighed).

Skridtkarakteren er ofte en svær størrelse og i dag faldt en enkelt bedømmelse heller ikke helt indenfor H2R’s skala for dagens bedste skridt, nemlig 9,5 som blev tildelt Spot-on B med Susanne Barnow. En stor og rentaktet skridt, men som på dagen stadig manglede lidt mere styrke og kvikkere afvikling til en topkarakter.

En enkelt ekvipage blev vel hårdt bedømt set fra sidelinien. Baunehøjens Jackson med Pia Bak Thomsen som viste en velforberedt tur, hvor Jackson modsat langt de fleste i dagens felt går med power, styrke og balance i både trav og galop, mens skridten er på det lidt mere jævne kvalitetsmæssigt. Tænker det er en ekvipage dommerne ser igen i Brønderslev.

Super ærgerligt for den norske ekvipage Duné og Juni Næss som viste en lidt forsigtig tur, men med fine kvaliteter, desværre red Juni på banen med både sporer og pisk, hvilket ikke er tilladt og blev diskvalificeret.

Generelt var feltet i dag af lidt lavere kvalitet end gårsdagen i Billund, og det blev også helt korrekt afspejlet i pointene fra dommerne.


Egnethedstest i Billund

Vinder Atterupgaards Daimi & Selina Vittinghus samt nr. 3 Risvangs Melody & Anne-Marie Hosbond - foto: H2R

Opdateringer fra H2R Instagram fra egnethedstest i Billund, lørdag d. 26. oktober.

Årets første Egnethedstest blev afholdt på Billund Sportsrideklub

Det milde og flotte efterårsvejr havde faktisk i dag gjort det muligt, at afvikle det udendørs, men da reglerne jo foreskriver at alle rider indendørs var det naturligvis også dagens konditioner.

Dommerteamet Rune Willum, Bjarne Nielsen og Vicky Nortvig - foto: H2R

Dommertrioen i år består af Vicky Nortvig, Rune Willum og Bjarne Nielsen, der først og fremmest fik fundet den helt rigtige placeringsrækkefølge i dag, og hvor Bjarne formidlede de enkelte karakterer, understøttet af faglige kommentarer, ofte toppet op med en slags “Bjarne Nielsen TV special”.

Rytterne blev undervejs guided af Rune med indtrykket af, at det ikke handlede om antal runder, men når dommerne havde set hvad de skulle, gik de videre til næste gangart. Undervejs blev enkelte ryttere også anvist til at ride ex. i højere el lavere tempo. Ca. en håndfuld af hestene var lidt ekstra påvirket af de nye omgivelser, og her fik rytterne lidt mere tid. Desværre, men også helt korrekt valgte dommerne at undlade bedømmelsen af en enkelt ekvipage, som jo samtidig blev gjort opmærksom på muligheden for at stille til start i en af de andre regioner.

Et kig på startlisten vidnede også glædeligt om flere amatørryttere, hvor det måske for nogen var første gang til egnethedstest, og jo derfor helt ny erfaring. De fik alle noget med hjem i forhold til karakterer og kommentarer. Blandt publikum var familie og venner med til at bakke op, ligesom flere avlere og ejere også var mødt op.

Et fint startskud på 2024 egnethedstesterne og samtidig også med et øje på mulige 2025 UVM kandidater.


(CDI-W LYON) EXCEPTIONAL RIDERS UP AGAINST THE QUEEN ISABELL WERTH

2023 winner Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD - photo: PSV J Morel

PRESS RELEASE

Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International will be hosting the Lyon leg of the FEI Dressage World CupTM from 30 October to 3 November. Eighteen of the world's best riders, representing nine nations, will be keen to excel there. And while Germany's Isabell Werth is the clear favourite, competition is fierce as the other riders attempt to unseat the World No.1, nicknamed the ‘Dressage Queen’. These challengers include the World No. 3, Dutch rider Dinja van Liere. Cadre Noir rider Pauline Basquin, who impressed audiences with her performance set to the music of Stromae at Versailles this summer, will also be competing with the firm intention of winning over the Lyon crowd.

Isabell Werth, the World No.1 dressage rider, is undoubtedly the favourite for this FEI Dressage World CupTM leg in Lyon. Her longevity in the sport is as impressive as her track record: the German rider has had countless victories at World and European Championships, while also winning 14 gold and silver medals from the seven Olympic Games in which she has taken part.

Isabell Werth is a regular at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, where she has already won the FEI Dressage World CupTM leg on 6 occasions (2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021), enhancing her stature as an icon of the discipline even more. This year, she is counting on DSP Quantaz to lead her to a 7th victory in Lyon.

DINJA VAN LIERE : LOOKING TO RIDE TO VICTORY IN LYON

But icons are not untouchable and a new generation of riders is attempting to topple the throne of the Dressage Queen. Dinja van Liere, the Dutch dressage rider, who was fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and is currently third in the FEI World rankings is one of them. The bubbly young woman is experiencing a meteoric rise and is firmly establishing herself in world dressage at the highest level.

An achievement she could have never imagined just a few years ago: ‘As a little girl, I'd never have dared to imagine all this, and now I experience it every day. When I was a child, I used to motivate myself by saying: Train until your idols become your rivals. And today they are. If someone had said that to me ten years ago, I wouldn't have believed them. I feel like I’m daydreaming.’ She’ll be riding Hartsuijker in Lyon. ‘He’s an experienced horse in great shape who has performed quite well in his last few competitions. However, this is his first indoor show for over a year, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes. I have high expectations of him and I hope he performs well,’ explains the best Dutch dressage rider currently.

And while Isabell Werth and Dinja van Liere are rivals in the ring, the Dutch rider openly expresses her admiration for the unwavering pillar of German dressage: ‘Isabell has never ceased to impress me over the last 30 years. She’s ridden an incredible number of horses with which she has achieved excellent performances in Grands Prix. Isabell is unique as she's proved that she can come back with different types of horses, whatever their level or quality, she always knows how to get the best out of them. Her determination, energy and real motivation are so inspiring. I hope I’ll be like her 20 years from now.’

The competition in Lyon won't just be a duel between the World No.1 and the World No 3. Far from it.

PAULINE BASQUIN AND SERTORIUS DE RIMA Z*IFCE ARE STILL DANCING!

Pauline Basquin is returning to Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International’s ring, riding the elegant Sertorius de Rima Z*IFCE. A year ago, at Eurexpo, the combination scored over 80% for the first time in a Grand Prix Freestyle.

‘It's certainly one of my best competition memories. It was incredible to score over 80% for the first time, in front of a French audience, my home crowd. At first, I really couldn't believe it. It took a few seconds to sink in and then I was overjoyed. This test and this score in Lyon were a milestone for Sertorius and for me. In a way, that 80.815% was the culmination of the good progress we had made and allowed us feel really confident about the future,’ remembers the Cadre noir rider.

This summer, Pauline Basquin really impressed the French public. During her Grand Prix Freestyle test at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the whole audience in Versailles clapped in sync to Stromae's song ‘Alors on danse’. There's no doubt that the magic will happen again in Lyon. And the public’s applause will delight Sertorius de Rima Z*IFCE: ‘He likes showing off, he likes feeling that he's being cheered on. He's really motivated when he hears applause,’ says his rider who affectionately calls him ‘darling’.

Stéphanie Brieussel with Fellini du Soleil and Anne-Sophie Serre with Jibraltar de Massa will also be representing France, as will Alexandre Ayache who will also be present in Lyon, riding Jolene. This summer, this combination was also part of the French dressage team that finished 6th at the Paris Olympic Games.

Larissa Pauluis with Flambeau will also be competing. This member of the Belgian team that came fifth at the Olympic Games in Versailles, will be looking to make her mark in Lyon.

Lastly, it would be unwise to overlook two riders who are regulars at the Lyon event: Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud, with Glock's Toto JR, and Sweden’s Patrick Kittel, World No.11, with Touchdown. The presence of the lady riders definitely won’t stop them from trying to obtain a podium finish.

Updated entries:

FEI Dressage World Cup Herning

Cathrine fik Boxen til at ryste

Den jubel som Cathrine Laudrup-Dufours afslutningshilsen blev fulgt af ved World Cup-Herning, var mindst på højde med det, der møder de største koncertnavne i Boxen

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour sejrede i FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle med hoppen Frestyle, men hun red æresrunde på sin pensionerede tophest Atterupgaards Cassidy, da hendes hoppe har vist sig sensitiv over for deltagelse i præmieoverrækkelser. Foto: worldcupherning/Annette Boe Østergaard

Som altid var stemningen helt i særklasse under FEI Dressage World CupTM Freestyle presented by ECCO. Jyske Bank Boxen i Herning danner en fantastik ramme om ridesporten, og dagens godt 4.500 tilskuere fik i høj grad en særlig oplevelse. De kvitterede ved at juble med en styrke og intensitet, der næsten var øredøvende. Publikum rejste sig synkront, da Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour hilste af på den 15-årige hoppe Mount St. John Freestyle efter en helt eminent kür (freestyle), hvor den elegante hoppe scorede adskillige 9- og enkelte 10-taller. For harmoni scorede parret et 10-tal og tre gange 9,5, og Cathrine var også ovenud tilfreds med sin kür. Selvom deres samarbejde nu har strakt sig over et år, var küren i Herning blot parret tredje sammen. Med en score på 88,965% var det resultat parrets hidtil bedste.
Ved OL i Paris kom parret ind på en 5. plads i küren (den individuelle konkurrence), og som Cathrine forklarede, overraskede det hende i Paris, at Freestyle fortsat var mærket af præmieoverrækkelsen dagen forinden. I Herning var hoppen langt mere afslappet og klar til at præstere. 
- Hun føltes fantastisk allerede på opvarmningen. Og jeg var meget tilfreds med hele følelsen i programmet. Det er meget teknisk, men det kan jeg virkelig godt lide. For du udfordrer dig selv, og skal være skarp. Det var første gang jeg virkelig ramte musikken perfekt. Og jeg havde fornemmelsen at hun faktisk nød arenaen og alt den larm fra publikum. Det var i øvrigt helt fantastisk med den publikumsopbakning, siger Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. 

Daniel Bachmann Andersen og Vayron red sig ind på andenpladsen i küren i Herning med sin hidtil bedste score i kür. Foto: worldcupherning/Annette Boe Østergaard

Også Daniel Bachmann Andersen opnåede også sin hidtil bedste score på den imponerende hingst Vayron. Med 84,905% gik han ind på en sikker andenplads, og publikum rejste sig igen og klappede ekvipagen fra banen. 
- Han var meget mere fokuseret i dag, fortæller Daniel, og han følte at hingstens selvtillid voksede inde i Boxen, til helt nye højder. – Han har altid været lidt af en kylling, men i dag kunne jeg mærke, at han virkelig begynder at få den selvtillid, han har manglet. 
Den tredje rytter på podiet i Herning var svenske Maria Von Essen og Invoice. Sammen med den 14-årige vallak kom hun ind på 7. pladsen i fredagens Grand Prix, men i dag nåde hun ind på en tredjeplads. Adspurgt, hvad hun havde gjort fra i går til i dag, var det enkle svar: - Jeg har lån en kür af Cathrine (Laudrup-Dufour). – Han føltes fantastisk, og det var virkelig en ære for mig, at få mulighed for at låne den af Cathrine. Maria har haft hesten siden han var 2 år, så hun har bragt ham frem hele vejen til internationalt niveau. 
Susanne Baarup, hoveddommer i dagens kür, og hun var begejstret over det høje niveau i toppen af klassen, hvor det i nogle tilfælde blot var nogle helt små nuancer, som adskilte rytterne. 
Adspurgt om den ridning hun fik at se: - Vi har alle de diskussioner om hestevelfærd, og rytterens kontakt til biddet, der var ingen af rytterne, som så ud til ikke at være på rette vej. Der var ryttere, som fik nogle meget kostbare fejl, men generelt set havde vi en klasse på meget højt niveau, med god ridning og fin kontakt. 
Desværre var gårsdagens nr. 3 Nanna Skodborg Merrald og Blue Hors Zepter et af de par, som fik lavet nogle kostbare fejl i programmet, som resulterede i, de sluttede på en 7. plads.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour og Mount St. John Freestyle. Foto: worldcupherning/Annette Østergaard

FEI Dressage World CupTM Herning er den første af i alt 11 kvalifikationsstævner i den vesteuropæiske liga. Det er i år den 38. sæson med denne populære cup, som afvikles i fire ligaer (vesteuropæisk liga, centraleuropæisk liga, nordamerikansk liga og en Stillehavs liga). Der er finale i Basel (SUI) fra den 2. – 6. april 2025, og de ni ryttere, som har optjent flest points i den vesteuropæiske liga, får adgang til finalen. 
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour kom ikke til Herning med en endelig plan for sæsonen. Den plan laver hun nu sammen med sit team. – Men jeg ved bare at jeg altid vil ride i Herning, sagde hun. 
Heller ikke Maria von Essen har en fastlagt plan for vintersæsonen. Daniel Bachmann Andersen er så privilegeret, at han lige nu har to stærke kort i OL-sølvvinderen Vayron og VM-guldvinderen Marshall-Bell, så han vil deltage i yderligere et par World Cup-kvalifikationer, og så ser han, om det kan bære i forhold til en finaleplads. 

Resultatet af FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle presented by ECCO
1. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour og Mount st. John Freestyle (DEN)    88,965%
2. Daniel Bachmann Andersen og Vayron (DEN)    84,905%
3. Maria von Essen og Invoice (SWE)    79,795%
4. Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock og Florine (GER)    79250%
5. Lone Bang Zindorff/Thranegaardens Rostov (DEN)    78,775%

Resultater

Laudrup-Dufour Shines in Herning with Freestyle Victory

FEI PRESS RELEASE

On home soil in Denmark, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour clinched a commanding victory with Mount St John Freestyle in the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 in the Western European League. Fellow Dane Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron secured second place, while Sweden’s Maria von Essen prevented an all-Danish podium by finishing third with Invoice.

The Danish crowd came out in full force to support their home favourites, and they were not disappointed. In Friday’s Grand Prix, Mount St John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen Aps and Mount St John Equestrian LLP) captured the hearts of the audience and went on to deliver an even more stunning performance in the Freestyle. Scoring an impressive 88.965%, Laudrup-Dufour set a benchmark that no other competitor could match. “Already in the warm-up, she felt incredible. And Freestyle adored the arena” said Laudrup-Dufour shortly after her ride.

“Already in the warm-up, she felt incredible. And Freestyle adored the arena”. 

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour

(DEN)

Daniel Bachmann Andersen, teammate of Laudrup-Dufour in Denmark’s silver-medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics, guided the powerful Vayron (owned by the athlete and Rudolf Spiekermann) to second place with a score of 84.905%. These two combinations were the only ones to break the 80% barrier, setting themselves apart from the rest of the field. While their Paris-teammate Nanna Skodborg Merrald initially claimed third place in the Grand Prix with Blue Hors Zepter (owned by Blue Hors Aps), some mistakes in their Freestyle dropped them to seventh place, opening the door for other competitors. Maria von Essen (SWE) seized that opportunity, moving up from seventh in the Grand Prix to third in the Freestyle with Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst Ab).

Challenge yourself and stay sharp

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle impressed at the Paris Olympics, finishing second in the Grand Prix and winning the Grand Prix Special. However, they slipped to fifth in the Freestyle. “Freestyle surprised me a bit in Paris. She was a little stressed from the prize-giving ceremony after the Grand Prix Special. Here in Herning, she was much calmer, as Cassidy did the prize-giving,” Laudrup-Dufour remarked.

Laudrup-Dufour's Freestyle routine is technically demanding but also holds deep personal significance: “I love challenging myself. You need to stay sharp. For me, this is much more than just a floor plan and a piece of music. Every song and every movement reminds me of something.”

As for the remainder of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season, Laudrup-Dufour is still undecided. “I’ll make a plan with my trainer later. We’ve been invited to ride at the Top 10 in Stockholm, and after that, we’ll see.”

Increased Focus

The five-member judging panel, consisting of Susanne Baarup (DEN), Kurt Christensen (DEN), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), Alice Schwab (AUT), and Magnus Ringmark (SWE), unanimously placed Laudrup-Dufour at the top. They were equally unanimous in their decision to place Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his impressive bay Vayron in second.

Bachmann Andersen was delighted with his horse’s performance: “Vayron felt amazing in the warm-up already; he had much more focus than in the Grand Prix, where he was a little fresh, and I made a mistake in the tempi changes. Today he was more settled and focused. He is a very sensitive horse, but the more the audience applauds, the better he performs. His self-confidence was at its highest today. I feel he is really starting to believe in himself.”

Maria von Essen, riding Invoice, a horse she has had since he was two and a half years old, claimed the third position. After winning the Grand Prix and finishing second in the Freestyle at last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg, Von Essen was pleased to secure a podium finish in Herning’s strong field. Starting sixth, she managed to hold on to a top-three spot. “My horse felt just amazing today; he really rose to the occasion,” said von Essen, who borrowed an old Freestyle routine from Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, with whom she shares trainer Kyra Kyrklund. 

Tight Competition for the Top Spots

The competition for the remaining top spots was intense. German athlete Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock came closest to breaking into the top three, riding the cheerful mare Florine OLD (owned by Elisabeth von Wulffen) to a solid fourth place with a harmonious performance.

Lone Bang Zindorff, representing Denmark, secured fifth place with Thranegaardens Rostov (owned by Bang Dressage Aps), just ahead of Germany’s Carina Scholz and her experienced seventeen-year-old partner Tarantino (owned by Sportpferde Scholz). Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN) guided her own Favour Gersdorf to another score in the 78% range, joining Zindorff, Scholz, and Merrald in a closely contested battle for the top spots. Ninth and tenth places went to German athletes Raphael Netz with Great Escape Camelot and Ingrid Klimke with First Class.

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League continues in two weeks in Lyon (FRA), where the second of eleven qualifiers this season will take place. With this strong start in Herning, the journey to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024 Final in Basel next year is well underway.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat….

FULL RESULTS

FEI Newsletter (Stakeholder meeting & Update on FEI measuring device)

FEI Stakeholder meeting sets unified vision for the future of Dressage

At the highly anticipated FEI Dressage Stakeholder meeting, which was held in person at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 1 October, experts and representatives from across the sport have reaffirmed the core objectives of Dressage and discussed ways of realigning the discipline to reflect these objectives.
 

The aim is that through balanced and systematic education, horses are trained and ridden to be calm, supple, flexible, confident, and responsive, fostering a deep and positive connection with the rider. The group agreed that these core objectives should be integrated in the FEI Rule book and applied in practice, both while training and competing.
 
Read the full Press Release here.
 
As stated in the press release, updates will be provided during the session on the FEI’s Equine Welfare Strategy at the FEI General Assembly in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in November 2024. There will be further opportunities for discussion at the FEI Sports Forum in April 2025.

UPDATE ON FEI MEASURING DEVICE FOR THE CONTROL OF BOSEBAND TIGHTNESS AT FEI EVENTS

Following a successful testing phase, the design of the FEI Measuring Device has now been finalised after more than 600 tests were conducted at FEI Events across the disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Endurance and Driving.
 
The tests were well accepted by the participating Horses, Athletes, Grooms and Officials.
 
The tightness of nosebands at FEI Events across all FEI Disciplines, will be assessed using the following FEI Measuring Device designed by the FEI in collaboration with external experts.

The FEI Measuring Device is a pass-through tool that is inserted under the noseband, over the nasal bone, and drawn through from top to bottom. The test is quick and straightforward, taking just a matter of seconds to complete.

If the device passes through, the noseband is loose enough. However, if the device cannot pass through easily, the noseband is considered too tight and the consequences outlined in Art. 1044.8 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations will apply.
 
The FEI Measuring Device will be rolled out
gradually at FEI Events in the first quarter of 2025.
 
The FEI Measuring Device will be available for purchase by anyone and further information will be provided in that regard at a later stage.
 
In addition, discipline specific protocols and educational material are being produced for FEI Officials, Athletes and their Support Personnel.
 
You can address any query to Ana.Kricej@fei.org and/or Goncalo.Paixao@fei.org.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to the athletes, their support teams, FEI officials, Organising Committees, representatives of FEI Stakeholders, and National Federations who participated or contributed to the test phase of this project.

Westfalen stallion pre-selection (dressage) days starts Wednesday morning

For the first time live stream will not be available from Westfalen stallion pre-selection days taking place from Wednesday 16 October till Friday 18 October.

The main licensing will take place at Münster-Handorf 1 & 2 December for the dressage stallions.

The running results from the pre-selection days willl be posted at H2R Facebook.

Here you have the list of stallions for the pre-selection⬇️

God ridning, avlshingstene og afkom med topkvaliteter til årets championatsfinaler

Succesfuldt championatsfinalestævne på Stutteri Ask, som nu også danner ramme om det nye Blue Hors, hvor ryttere, heste, publikum og officials bestemt ikke kunne drømme om meget mere.

Fire intensive dressurdage for første gang på Stutteri Ask, hvor publikum også havde fundet vejen til Martofte på Fyn.

Overordnet blev det et stævne hvor den gode ridning trådte flot i karakter. Flere af toprytterne havde en ret travl uge med flere heste i flere aldersgrupper. Hestene blev generelt præsenteret flot i forhold til træningsskalaen for de enkelte årgange, og hvor dommerne synes at ex formen var lidt for snævner el høj blev det også påtalt.

Den skønne efterårssol, som gav et smukt lys (og farlige skygger) i hallen gav dog lidt ufordringer under vejs.

Avlshingstene

Det var på mange måder igen i år et stjernespækket felt af unge hingste, dog fordelt på flere forskellige ejere end vi tidligere har set. De tidligere år har det været Helgstrand hingstene som har været toneangivende, men da de valgte ikke at stille til start i år, blev billedet selvfølgelig også lidt mere nuanceret.

Fælles for alle hingstene som blev præsenteret i år var at de alle udviste flot ridbarhed kombineret med 3 gode gangarter, begge dele jo super vigtige egenskaber som jo bør være første step i forhold til avlernes valg.

Lidt mere ind i detaljerne på de enkelte hingstes præstationer over dagene, så var fællesnævneren som fra mange af de andre heste, at førstedagen var med lidt spændinger.

De tre unge hingste Blue Hors Viva Vegas, Atterupgaards Bernachi og Bueno SL, var alle tre særdeles ridelige og koncentrerede om opgaven, hvor de to først nævnte var direkte videre til finalen fra indledende, og hvor Bueno måtte en tur om B-finalen, hvor han gik sin absolut bedste tur med en sejr og en klar finaleplads.

Både Blue Hors Monte Carlo og Blue Hors Santiano redet af Nanna Merrald, og som jo er 7 år er uddannelsesmæssigt godt på vej, og ligner gode bud på de næste GP heste fra Nanna. Endnu ligner det at Nanna og Santiano lige skal fin afstemme timingen inde på banen lidt mere, da Santiano under vejs stadig har lidt sin egen agenda for hvilke øvelser hvornår. Men heller at ville for meget nu, for det ligner bestemt at der er mere til fremtiden.

Faderhingste med kvaliteter til fremtiden

Et kig på listerne vidner igen om at Donkey Boy afkom kan være med helt fremme i unghesteklasserne. Top tre i 5 års klassen alle efter Donkey Boy.

Internationalt har Sezuan sønnen Secret vist sig som en klar rideheste producent, og det viste de danske championater også i år, med top highlights i 4 års med Risvangs Melody og i 6 års med Stald Magic Secret Hope.

Springbank II VH med spændende og særdeles velgående afkom og highlight med guldmedaljehoppen Atterupgaards Daimi, sølvmedaljehoppen Grevens Saga og Hesselhøj Security.

Og endnu engang et championat hvor Vitalis afkom også gør sig positivt bemærket, med Valiant i absolut særklasse, også selvom pointtavlen ikke helt viste det.

Blue Hors St. Schufro med mega stjernen Lyngbjergs St. Paris - nyd den indledende tur her ⬇️


Sunshine in France - 141st Elite-Auction of the Hannoveraner Verband

Sunshine by Secret/Royal Blend (Photo: Hannoveraner Verband)

TOP PRICES:

PART OF HANN PRESS RELEASE

The Secret/Royal Blend daughter Vet+ Sunshine (breeder and exhibitor: Anneli Brunckhorst, Wohlesbostel) had already impressed at her mare performance test with the dream score of 10 for rideability. The Verden customers also appreciated this and made the expressive chestnut mare, who has that certain something, the top seller of the anniversary auction with a sales price of 150,000 Euros. A dressage trainer from France secured the four-year-old future hope.

The Total Hope/Sezuan daughter Total Happy H (breeder and exhibitor: Edeltraud Hähn, Bergneustadt) will also find herself in the hands of a champion and will make an internationally successful dressage rider ‘totally happy’. She prevailed against six other bidders and was able to call the tall three-year-old her own for 105,000 Euros.

The first foal to enter the Niedersachsenhalle at the 141st Elite Auction also received the highest bid of the day. A new customer from Lower Saxony seized her chance and purchased the Excalibur/Londontime son Excalidor (B. & exhib.: Franz Sassen, Hoyerhagen) for 24,000 Euros. The chestnut stallion with fantastic movements is the eighth foal of State Premium Mare Londonflower to be sold at auction in Verden. He represents the dam line of Juggema, which also produced team Olympic champion and Hannoveraner Stallion of the Year, Desperados FRH.

Enrico de Hus by Escolar/Don Juan de Hus (breeder: Xavier Marie, Petit Mars/FRA) with Jennifer Stein, were honoured with the name affix “FRH” of the supportors Club of Hannoveraner sport horses. Traditionally, the Hans Joachim Köhler Prize was awarded for the most successful auction exhibitor over the past ten years. It went to Michael Schenk from Niendorf, who has sent over 60 young talents to the Niedersachsenhalle. On this day, he was also the breeder and exhibitor of head number 1, with his son Jacob in the saddle. The V-Plus/Light and Easy daughter Violetta was sold to the USA for 96,000 Euros. 

Further information: www.hannoveraner.com

Finaledeltagere klar efter indledende klasser

Det smukke Stutteri Ask / Blue Hors er for første gang værter for championatsfinalerne. Blue Hors Don Schufro nød også sin nye plads, med blikket rettet mod den flot beliggende udendørsbane og med kig over Dalbybugten.

Selvom der var god plads på tilskuerpladserne fra morgenstunden, så dukkede der faktisk pænt mange tilskuere op efterhånden som førstedagens 4 års, 5 års og 7 års indledende klasser blev afviklet. Cafeteriet var også klar til rykind, og bød på fint udvalg og hyggelig stemning ved bordene, med bedste udsigt til arenaen, hvor også Stutteri Ask og Blue Hors stifter Keld Kirk Kristiansen var at finde, og aktivt var med på sidelinien hver gang en Blue Hors rytter var på banen.

Hvad vil man se anno 2024 finalebedømmelser

Top 16 fra indledende i 4 års klassen direkte klar til finalen. Yderligere 6 følger fra trøstfinalen.

4 års indledende blev ikke overraskende vundet af hingsten Viva Vegas med Nanna Merrald i sadlen. Parret var storfavoritter og levede fuldt op til forventningerne, som bl.a. udløste 4 x 10.

Placeret som nr 2 blev Svalegårds Disco e. Duke / Temptation, avlet af Stutteri Svalegård, redet af Liv Maria Stigsnæs. En unghest som kort og godt ligner hele pakken til fremtiden. (Indrømmet der skulle lidt internet “research” til efterfølgende for H2R, idet Liv og hendes historik ind i dressurens verden ikke var kommet forbi H2R tidligere.)

Nr. 3 var Anne Marie Hosbond med Risvangs Melody e. Secret / Everdale avlet af Linette Fjorback, som blev forbilledligt fremvist, hele vejen i selvbalance, flot kontant og korrekt tempo.

“Ny” Blue Hors rytter Lea Dyre Jespersen bliver placeret som nr. 4 med Runehøjs Stardust DWB e. St. Schufro / Hotline, avlet af Stutteri Runehøj. Lea kan også tage en “præmie” for super flot og velbalanceret præsentation.

H2R note omkring bedømmelsen:

Med 4 x 10 til super hingsten Viva Vegas, hvoraf det blevet givet 10 for bl.a. ridelighed og harmoni, havde det været naturligt at dommerne havde italesat at hingsten under hele trav- og skridtturen, og dele af galopturen tydeligt skar tænder. Det påvirkede ikke hingstens præstation, men samtidig må man også konstatere, at når en hest skærer tænder er det ofte et tegn på spændinger, og kan alt andet lige vel ikke sidestilles med en hest som går turen “uden lyd”. Tit handler det om en overgangsperiode, et stadie for den unge hest hvor der ex arbejdes på nye ting, nye omgivelser osv. Om det også skulle give et mindre fradrag i scoren, er naturligvis op til dommerne og de fordringer de dømmer efter, men at undlade at kommentere det virkede bare ikke helt korrekt i situationen.

Derudover blev kommenteringen, som var udført af Jesper Holst desværre generelt drejet i en ofte lidt negativ retning, så tænker man som rytter måske forlod banen med tanken om, hvordan man overhovedet var nået til finalen, for slet ikke at tale om dem der måske havde sat sig til at lytte med via Clipmyhorse. Vores sport har brug for en positiv stemning, også selvom det ikke er 10-tals præstationer.

5 års indledende

Fra den indledende klasse var det de 12 bedste som er direkte klar til finalen, og yderligere 3 fra trøstfinalen.

Hingsten Svalegårds Hot Driver blev redet til sikker sejr i den indledende klasse af berider Søren Wind. Præsenteret med godt flow i fin form hele vejen, for et par momenter kommer Hot Driver lidt bagom hjælpen, men rutineret “fanget” af Søren Wind. Siden indledende kvalifikation har der været rytterskifte, idet Carina Cassøe Krüth pt er udelukket fra al konkurrencedeltagelse grundet karantæne.

Placeret som nr. 2 bliver Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour med Fuego. Blød og ubesværet tur, hvor man under vejs måske godt kunne ønske sig lidt mere naturlig power.

Brandtbjergs Divya med Anders Hoeck indtager 3. pladsen med power og udtryk, selvom der også indløber lidt spændinger, så er kvaliteten klart til toppen af feltet.

H2R note:

Skal vi kigge fremtidsperspektiv også i 5 års klassen JA! Selvom der indløber spændinger og småfejl, så bør kvalitet med øje for fremtiden belønnes. Her kommer 3 heste klart ind på H2R listen, Valiant, Emory og Saffron. Alle 3 heste vil lidt mere end der lige er forskrevet til dagen, men lad os vente 3-4 år og se hvor de så er på vej hen i forhold til uddannelsen.

Iøvrigt rigtig konstruktiv og positiv kommentering af Kirsten Søgaard, hvor man som tilhøre fik understøttet pointgivningen med tilsvarende dommer kommentarer.

6 års indledende

Fredag formiddag med indledende klasse hvor Nanna Merrald og hoppen Bonsai tog sejren i flot kvalitet hele vejen. Aktiv, velbalanceret med rigtig god kvalitet, dejlig form og kontakt hele vejen.

Udover de 12 bedste fra dagens indledende går yderligere 3 med fra trøstfinalen til søndagens finale.

Umiddelbart kunne man godt få indtrykket af, at fokus fra dommerne var overvejende på den programmæssige tekniske del, idet heste som Secret Suprise, Vidal Sassoon og ikke mindst Secret Hope medbringer “ekstra i kassen” til fremtiden.

De mindre succesfulde ture kunne måske godt have være understøttet med de point eller præstationer som havde bragt den enkelte ekvipage til finalen.

7 års indledende

Ofte kan springet til 7 års niveauet være et stort step for de unge heste, men generelt har årgangen i år været ret skarpt med, også uden det var set forceret eller på anden måde presset ud - kadeau til rytterne.

De 8 bedste fra indledende plus yderligere 2 fra B-finalen får adgang til finalen.

Med Lyngbjergs St Paris og Victoria Vallentin i spidsen af kvalifikationen ligner det en svær opgave for konkurrenterne at kunne fange dem. Deres tur var let, udtryksfuld og præcis uden tekniske udfordringer. Hvis man kigger lidt ind i karaktererne så virker en skridt karakter på 9,0 som rigelig flot.

De unge OL-damer gjorde sig særdeles positivt bemærket i toppen, hvor både Nanna og Cathrine har en rutine og et overblik under vejs, som enhver rytter drømmer om, hvor de jo kan hjælpe deres unge heste præcis der hvor der er brug for det.

Her må den blot 18 år juniorrytter Anna Raben sammen med Sparaday bare have troen og tilliden til hinanden, som også gav pote. Anna rider den store vallak med en forbilledlig kontakt og hendes evne til at koordinere hånd og sæde er et studie værd. Konstant let, skummene kontakt med lukket mund, hele tiden med op af bakke og fri form, det var bestemt mere end 8,5 i ridelighed og 8,7 i kapacitet set fra sidelinien, også selvom den samlede skridt godt kunne være mere samlet og en 4er blev til en 5er i serien.

Nu venter 4 år og 7 år finalen lørdag og 5 års og 6 år finalen søndag.

Herning (DEN) sets the stage for opening leg of FEI Dressage World Cup™ - Western European League

With the full silver-medal-winning Danish Olympic Dressage team in action, host nation Denmark is setting the stage for the first qualifier of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 in the Western European League. Not only will these standout Danish athletes be competing for victory in Herning (DEN), but Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden will be all vying for the podium alongside them.

Denmark at Full Power

The ‘Danish dynamite’ will be out in full force in Herning: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, Nanna Skodborg Merrald, and Daniel Bachmann Andersen will be competing their Olympic partners Mount St John Freestyle, Blue Hors Zepter, and Vayron for the first time since the Freestyle Final at the Paris Olympics.Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and her partner, Mount St. John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen ApS and Mount St John Equestrian LLP), took first place in the Grand Prix Special in Paris and secured a fifth-place finish in the Freestyle Final. They're looking to write a new chapter in their short but already impressive international career with their FEI Dressage World Cup™ debut in Herning.

Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter (owned by Blue Hors ApS) have already made their mark with a second-place finish in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2023 in Omaha (USA), individual silver at the FEI Dressage European Championships 2023 in Riesenbeck, and another second place with Blue Hors Don Olymbrio in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Riyadh (KSA) this year. In Herning, she'll be looking to secure her first World Cup points with the 16-year-old Zepter on the road to the Final in Basel next year.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen and the mighty Vayron (owned by the athlete and Rudolf Spiekermann) have, besides Olympic team silver, already won European team bronze and will be making their World Cup debut in Herning. They'll be joined by fellow Danes Nadja Aaboe Sloth, Lone Bang Zindorff, and Anna Zibrandtsen.

Fierce Competition

The Danish athletes will surely put up a fight on home turf in the Boxen Arena in Herning, but they’ll face fierce  competition from four other nations: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Patrik Kittel (SWE), who clinched the 2024 Final in Riyadh with Touchdown and also won last year's opening leg in Herning, will be competing with Forever Young HRH (owned by the athlete and Gestüt Peterhof), with whom he finished second in this year’s World Cup qualifier in Neumünster. His compatriot Maria von Essen will also be on hand, bringing the 12-year-old Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst AB) to Herning.

Germany is sending a strong contingent of five combinations, led by the experienced Ingrid Klimke. The German 'Reitmeisterin' will be riding the mare First Class (owned by Gut Hülsen GmbH & Co.KG), who made her World Cup debut in Neumünster this year with an eighth-place finish.

One of last season's rising stars, Raphael Netz, will also be in Herning, competing Great Escape Camelot (owned by Theres Boss and Sonja Kristina Krall), with whom he finished fifth in the Final in Riyadh. Germany’s squad is rounded out by Maik Kohlschmidt, Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock, and Carina Scholz.

The Netherlands will be represented by two seasoned combinations, both riding home-bred horses: Marlies van Baalen will saddle up Habibi DVB N.O.P (owned by Dressuurstal van Baalen B.V. and Titus de Vries), her mount for the FEI Dressage European Championships 2023 in Riesenbeck, with whom she also finished second in the World Cup qualifier in Mechelen last year. Thamar Zweistra will bring her top horse Hexagon’s Ich Weiss (owned by Stal Hexagon B.V.).

With the grey stallion she has already competed at the FEI Dressage World Championships 2022 in Herning and in no less than three FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals: Leipzig, Omaha, and Riyadh. For Belgium, Alexa Fairchild will round out the start list in Herning with her own Lusitano Mala Skala’s Hermes.

38th Season with Final in Basel

With this year marking the 38th season of the FEI Dressage World Cup™, will Denmark claim its first victory since Anne Grethe Jensen and Marzog in 1986? After what promises to be a strong start in Herning, we'll have to wait for the answer until the Final, taking place in Basel (SUI) from 2-6 April 2025.
While this season's Final will be held in Switzerland for the first time in history, Switzerland has already had two victories in the FEI Dressage World Cup™: Christine Stückelberger and Gaugin de Lully took the titles in Essen in 1987 and 's-Hertogenbosch in 1988.

This season's Western European League consists of 11 qualifiers, with Herning as the opening leg. The second leg will be in late October/early November in Lyon (FRA), followed by Stuttgart (GER) and Madrid (ESP) in November. December will see legs in London (GBR) and Mechelen (BEL). The new year kicks off with Basel (SUI) in the second weekend of January, followed by Amsterdam (NED) two weeks later. February will feature action in Neumünster (GER) and Göteborg (SWE), and the WEL qualifiers will conclude in March in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED).

The top 9 combinations from the Western European League will qualify for the 2025 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, along with the reigning champion, Patrik Kittel. He will automatically qualify if he competes in at least two qualifiers this season.

The first qualifier of the 2024/2025 season kicks off in Herning at 10:00 AM local time, followed by the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music on Saturday 19 October, starting at 13:30 PM. It's going to be another thrilling season, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…

Further information about the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 series here