FEI PRESS RELEASE - Werth and DSP Quantaz Triumph in Lyon

In Thursday’s Grand Prix, the competition was intense among the top three contenders, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish in the second leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League in Lyon (FRA). The suspense held until the very last moment, but it was Germany’s world number one, Isabell Werth, who triumphed with DSP Quantaz tonight, delivering a stunning Freestyle performance that scored 84.70%.

Of the top three from the Grand Prix, France's Pauline Basquin was the first to enter the arena. The audience cheered her on even before she began, but her partner, Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE (owned by Institut Français Du Cheval Et De L’Équitation), remained unfazed. Light-footed and elegant, the duo danced to 81.915%, setting a new personal record.

Directly after her, second-placed Grand Prix finisher, defending FEI Dressage World Cup™ Champion Patrik Kittel, entered with Touchdown (owned by Sommarkvarn AB). The Swede delivered a flawless performance with his thrilling James Bond-themed freestyle, especially shining in the canter section. He scored 81.975%, edging just a few hundredths of a percentage point ahead of Basquin.  Werth entered the arena last and emerged victorious with a commanding lead. Riding DSP Quantaz—owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer—Werth delivered an outstanding freestyle, showcasing precision and focus. In the midst of an extended canter, however, Quantaz spooked, and Werth expressed how pleased she was with how Quantaz managed to regain his composure and finish strongly.

“He was extremely focused today. For the first time, he waited for me with each movement. Two years ago, I’d have never had him back with me so quickly after a disruption like that, but now I did,” she said, seeing the positive side. For Werth, it was her seventh FEI Dressage World Cup™ victory in Lyon.

Rankings Shaken Up

Although the top three positions held steady, there were shifts in the Lyon rankings following the Grand Prix. Before the break, Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud set an impressive benchmark aboard the black stallion Glock’s Toto Jr. (owned by Glock HPC Nl B.V.). Riding to a medley of French chansons, Minderhoud captivated both the French audience and the judges. Scoring 80.04%, he and Glock’s Toto Jr.—his Olympic partner from Paris—held the lead as the only combination breaking the 80% mark for a considerable time.

German rider Sönke Rothenberger took to the arena after Minderhoud, delivering a strong performance with his always-eager partner, Fendi (owned by Rothenberger Im Gestüt Erlenhof OHG). Their score of 78.865% was just shy of Minderhoud’s, but Rothenberger’s precise ride kept him firmly in the top ranks. Meanwhile, Dinja van Liere, riding her elegant chestnut Hartsuijker (owned by Jan Pieter Dalsem), faced a minor setback. After placing fifth in the Grand Prix, the Dutch world number three dropped to sixth in the freestyle, her score of 77.485% reflecting a costly mistake in the one-time changes in her first FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg of the season.

Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis, with Flambeau (owned by Caroline Lepage, Emmanuel Lepage, Jean Pauluis, and Marie Christine Pauluis), also slipped slightly in the ranking. The 14-year-old gelding, part of the Belgian team heading to Paris, showed signs of distraction in the freestyle, leading to a few errors and a final seventh-place finish.

Dressage Thrives in France

Werth noted the growing enthusiasm for Dressage in France, where the Olympics at home have undoubtedly played a role. 

“Dressage is alive here this year; it’s wonderful to see this enthusiasm growing. Every year I come to Lyon, I see that the number of visitors has grown. Now it was even a full house with the ambiance of a football stadium.” 

Isabell Werth

(GER)

Runner-up Patrik Kittel (SWE) also received enthusiastic support from the French audience. He expressed his satisfaction with the competition in Lyon: “To be honest, I was very happy with my horse. We have been working on the self-carriage since Paris, and I think he improved a lot.” Following his start in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg in Herning two weeks ago and today’s ride in Lyon, Kittel, as defending champion, is now assured a place at the Final in Basel next year.

Basquin Brings the Audience to Its Feet

Home favourite Pauline Basquin (FRA), riding in the uniform of the French Cadre Noir, received the warmest support from the audience and a standing ovation. Just like last year in Lyon, she finished third. “I’m very happy today. Since Paris, we haven’t competed, and to score two personal bests here after a three-month break is fantastic. I’m delighted with our third place, even though we were so very close to second,” she said.

The action continues in Stuttgart in two weeks’ time, where the next round of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League 2024/25 takes place on 15-16 November.

So don’t miss a hoofbeat…  

FULL RESULTS

 

Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen moves to Stutteri EVO start of 2025

Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen new rider at Stutteri EVO - photo credit: EVO

NEWS AT STUTTERI EVO INSTAGRAM TODAY

Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen will from 1 January 2025 be part of team EVO

It is with great joy we today announce that professional rider Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen will join our team beginning of the new year.

Anne-Mette is educated master rider by German Rudolf Zeilinger, and with her new job at Stutteri EVO she will take over the reins and be responsible of the training and education of more talented horses.

At Stutteri EVO we look very much forward to our new coorporation with Anne-Mette. She brings huge experience and potential for our horses, and at the same time with a great CV from the competition arenas.

H2R caught Anne-Mette right after the announcement:

“I´m very excited about this new chapter. I´ve gained a lot of experience with good horses at Helgstrand Dressage. Now it´s time for me to try to develop even more at a personal level both in sport and for myself. The set-up at Stutteri EVO is a very professional team, where I´m sure we can support each other in order to succeed - I can´t wait to get started,” tells Anne-Mette.

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. 

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