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

Randbøl Dressage Academy med spændende ny mentor ordning og scolarship mulighed

UDVIKLING OG SPARRING

Det nye Randbøl Dressage Academy med spændende nyt tiltag, hvor den enkelte rytter får en unik mulighed for at udvikle sig sammen med sin hest, samtidig med mulighed for inddragelse af den daglige træner.

Med de fire forskellige mentorer er der samtidig også lagt op til et fællesskab på tværs. “Eleverne” hos de fire mentorer mødes alle til de planlagte træningsdage, og på den måde både får indblik i hinandens træning, erfaringsudveksling og sparring på tværs af de forskellige niveauer.

“Et af målene med mentorordningen er selvfølgelig at kunne udvikle rytterne, men også at bruge fællesskabet til at være nysgerrig på, hvordan man udvider sin personlige værktøjskasse i forhold til egne ambitioner. Vi glæder også rigtig meget til at kunne skyde projektet igang inden årets udgang,” fortæller Mette Obel og Dennis Fisker.

RANDBØL DRESSAGE ACADEMY

Unik mulighed for supplerende sparring og udvikling, samt et scholarship hos Randbøl Dressage Academy

Randbøl Dressage Academy tilbyder nu eksklusive træninger med et topprofessionelt mentorsetup i smukke omgivelser.

Drømmer du om at udvikle dig selv og din ekvipage, så er her en enestående mulighed for, i samarbejde med din daglige træner, at få sparring og undervisning som et supplement til din daglige træning.

Randbøl Dressage Academy hos Obel og Fisker, har indgået samarbejde med fire af Danmarks mest erfarne undervisere i dressur.

De fire undervisere er:

Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein: Tidligere landstræner og mangeårig del af det danske dressurlandshold. Nathalie har deltaget i både DM, EM og OL. Hun har udviklet mange ekvipager og er forfatter til bogen "Digby".

Lisbeth Seierskilde: Ponylandstræner, vandt sit første seniormesterskab i 2011 som 25-årig og deltog ved OL i 2012. Lisbeth har uddannet mange ryttere og heste til internationalt topniveau og driver i dag Jonstrupgård.

Bjarne Nielsen: Tidligere landstræner for den danske ungdomstrup og det norske seniorlandshold. Bjarne er også kendt som tv-kommentator ved store internationale stævner. Han har stor erfaring i bedømmelsen af ungheste, og har været en del af avlsledelsen i Dansk Varmblod gennem 20 år.

Dennis Fisker: En del af Randbøl Dressage Academy og tidligere landstræner for pony- og ungdomsholdet. Dennis har redet Grand Prix, DM, dømt unghestechampionater, og har uddannet mange ryttere, og trænet teams på højt niveau.

Hver af disse undervisere tilbyder 10 mentorpladser, hvilket giver i alt 40 eksklusive pladser.

Mentorer

Hver ekvipage forpligter sig til et års forløb, der inkluderer 10 mentorforløb, hver fordelt over to sammenhængende hverdage. Datoerne for alle 10 mentorforløb fastlægges inden opstart.

Dette forløb er en mulighed for at få sparring og udvikling, sammen med din daglige træner.

Derudover er der mulighed for samarbejde med, og få inspiration fra en fysisk træner, coach, dyrlæge og diætist. Deltagelse i disse tilbud er inkluderet i prisen og kan tilpasses efter ønske og behov.

Hvordan kommer du i betragtning?

På grund af stor forhåndsinteresse vil der ske en udvælgelsesproces. Derfor skal du indsende en beskrivelse af dig selv og din ekvipage til Mette Obel Frederiksen på mette@randboldressageacademy.dk.

Beskrivelsen skal indeholde:

  • beskrivelse af dig

  • ekvipagens niveau

  • målsætninger

  • alder på hest/rytter

    Scholarship:

    Randbøl Dressage Academy har mulighed for at tilbyde et scholarship til en heldig deltager ved enten Bjarne Nielsen eller Dennis Fisker.
    For at komme i betragtning, skal du i din ansøgning fortælle, hvorfor netop du bør modtage denne støtte.

    Din ansøgningen skal indeholde:

  • lidt om dig selv

  • hvorfor der er behov for denne støtte

  • ambitioner/målsætninger

  • delmål

  • nuværende niveau

  • alder hest/pony

Du skal indsende din ansøgning til Mette Obel Frederiksen på mette@randboldressageacademy.dk.

Opstart:

Det er opstart efterår/vinter 2024
Undervisningen foregår på Korshøjgaard i Randbøl.
Der er delvis forplejning inkluderet.
Der er mulighed for opstaldning under de to dages ophold.

Hvad koster det?

Prisliste kan findes nedenfor.

Eventuelle spørgsmål kan rettes til Mette Obel Frederiksen på +45 51744293 eller Dennis Fisker på +45 40561616.

Vi ser frem til at modtage din ansøgning!

Priser: link

Hannoveraner stallion pre-selection days comes up from Thursday 17 October

Photo: Hannoveraner.com

213 young stallions are listed for the pre-selection days

  • Thursday 17 October, Dobrock

  • Friday 18 October, Verden

  • Saturday 19 October, Verden

  • Monday 21 October, Verden (including 3 & 4 yr old stallions)

From the list of stallions for the pre-selection the stallion Despacito (2017 by Don Nobless / Sandro Hit) is represented with a total of 12 sons. The very popular stallion Secret has 10 sons for this pre-selection.

The selection committee chooses about 60 stallions on the pre-selection dates from October 17 to 21 in Verden and on the Dobrock. During the stallion pre-selection, the stallions are presented in free-running, free-jumping and on thard ground. For licensing, the stallions are then presented in free-running, on the lunge and on the triangle.



181.000 euro top price colt by For Romance I/Diamond Hit

Part of press release

Record Prices in Vechta

Standing ovations for the high-priced top foal in Vechta: For Diamond by For Romance shook the newly renovated auction hall in Vechta and set the stage for an exciting bidding duel. The stallion prospect was sold for a record-breaking price of 181,000 euros to first-time American clients and the stallion station Bachl. Similarly, the charming Supernova by San Amour I changed hands for a top price of 300,000 euros, heading to Spain.

A rising star in the Spanish sky: Supernova by San Amour I - Hotline - Sandro Hit, bred by Gestüt Lewitz in Mühlen, and exhibited by Flicka Ventures GmbH, Berlin, became the price leader of the 102nd Fall Elite Auction. Supernova is a sister to the licensed Grand Prix winner Ferrari OLD by Foundation/Rudolf Widmann. Granddam Satida is the sister of the European Championship participant and Grand Prix winner Lollipop by Lord Sinclair/Emile Faurie, GBR. The graceful ballerina was sold for 300,000 euros to regular clients, the Equium Team from Spain.

For 52,000 euros, For Me by Freiherr von Stein/T. - Rittersport - Glacier, bred by Peggy Bloßfeld from Herzberg, will make waves in Korea. His brother Maverick by Millennium/Trak. was discovered in Vechta and has achieved Grand Prix success in the USA with Raul Corchuelo, COL.

Oldenburg friends from Hungary secured the schoolmaster Brunetti by Buckingham - Fürst Romancier - Royal Diamond, bred by Ute von Platen from Wietze, for 52,000 euros. Dam La Vie en Rose, is a sister of Prix St. Georges-successful Levantino/Maxi Kira von Platen. Also heading to the same stable in Hungary for 42,000 euros was Quantino Gold by Quantensprung - Samarant - Rubinstein I, bred by Hof Richardt from Struth. The tall dark bay, already M**-placed, hails from the renowned Cinderella line, which has produced stallions such as Escamillo, Sir Heinrich, and his full sisters, the Bundeschampionat champions Candy OLD, Caty OLD, Casey OLD, and Cindy OLD.

Photo: Price top of the elite foals For Diamond by For Romance I - Diamond Hit - Landadel. (OLD Art)

Maxima Bella & Sandro Sysojeva with Tallinn World Cup victory in both Grand Prix and freestyle

Maxima Bella & Sandra Sysojeva - screenshot Clipmyhorse

Grand Prix

For the power couple (currently no 14 at FEI World Ranking) Maxima Bella & Sandra Sysojeva this was their 10th international event this year, and 4th World Cup qualifier and at the same time 4th double victory in both Grand Prix and Grand Prix freestyle this weekend at Tallinn International Horse Show.

The trot tour was balanced and super expressive all the way, bit tense for halt with rein back, the walk tour is with good over track for the extended walk but lacking bit more relaxation, while the collected walk becomes bit tense, super transition to passage, power piaffe balanced and smooth transitions, good into canter, small tension hind, unfortunately misunderstanding/loosing the canter into the diagonal for the two times but manage to do 7 two times, the overall frame for the canter tour becomes a bit tight which might be a question of strength to keep the exercises at the hind quarters all the time.

Grand Prix freestyle

Iconic freestyle already with a very special mood. Strong start unfortunately something kind of “bewitched” at H this weekend, as the planned trot half pass left did not succeed as Maxima Bella went into canter and Sandra did not manage to bring her back to trot before the end of the planned exercise. Luckily they´ve got a well performed zigzag trot exercise at the centerline. At the end of the test Sandra was little hind the music, and as for the Grand Prix the enthusiatic audience were applauding the final meters.

Here you find the entire results.

Næste uge går det løs med årets championatsfinaler - deltagerlister er online

Stutteri Ask og det “nye” Blue Hors ligger de skønne faciliteter til, når landets bedste ungheste mødes til finalerne i næste weekend.

Deltagerlisterne og tidsinddeling er online her.

Årets dommer teams er:

4 års

Susanne Baarup, Jens Holm Kristensen, Jesper Holst og (Sabrina Hesselhede finale)

5 års

Dennis Holst, Kirsten Søgaard og (Mette Svare Ehlers finale)

6 års

Mette Svare Ehlers, Helle Westh og (Dennis Holst finale)

7 års

Mette Svare Ehlers, Helle Westh og (Sabrina Hesselhede finale)

H2R note: Ærgerligt man igen i år, har valgt ikke at prioritere udenlandsk international dommer til finalerne.

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.

This approach emphasises key qualities such as the freedom and regularity of movement, the ease and lightness of transitions, and the horse’s balance.  

A crucial aspect is that Dressage is practised without tension or resistance, ensuring harmony between the horse and rider.

Participants acknowledged the impact of breeding on the evolution of the sport and explored the relationship between judging, training, and riding. They also emphasised the importance of examining the sport holistically by introducing principles of behavioural science and the five domains of animal welfare, focusing on the horse's positive physical and mental well-being.

“The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased the best our sport has to offer in competition, but also brought to light challenges that have prompted us to reflect and reassess in the post-Games period,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“To many, this vision of what Dressage should embody may seem self-evident. But as highlighted during the meeting, over the years the discipline has moved away from its traditional purpose and this realisation requires a necessary realignment to the foundational principles of Dressage.”

FEI Dressage Director Ronan Murphy said, “Establishing a unified vision is the essential first step in fostering a shared purpose. With this foundation in place, we can now focus on restoring public trust and confidence in the sport.

“Our goal is to be aligned and move forward in the same direction. We have clearly defined what we want to see as a sport and the next step is for all parties to assess how we can adapt our practices and approaches to ensure these standards are met. This effort is not the responsibility of any one group; it is a collective mission for the entire Dressage community and we look forward to engaging with the wider community especially our National Federations.”

Key points that were addressed during the meeting:

  • Action Points and Next Steps: One of the key proposals put forward is mandatory trainer registration, and potential certification aimed at ensuring accountability and standardisation within the discipline. The group also committed to defining ethical training methods, with an emphasis on increasing transparency and showcasing good practices. Additionally, participants identified the need for a more comprehensive communications plan to better inform and engage with the broader public and stakeholders.

  • Rules Revision: Stakeholders expressed support for a thoughtful approach to revising the rules, favouring a comprehensive, strategic evaluation based on available research. This will ensure that all changes are sustainable and beneficial to the sport in the long term.

  • Equine Welfare: Participants supported the FEI Equine Welfare Strategy and various actions identified as part of the overall FEI Action Plan.

  • Collaboration and Collective Responsibility: The discussions emphasised the importance of collective responsibility and collaboration within the Dressage community. Participants welcomed the opportunity for ongoing and regular dialogue, and expressed their willingness to take part in working groups on key topics.

Updates will be provided during the session on the FEI’s Equine Welfare Strategy at the FEI General Assembly on 12 November. There will be further opportunities for discussion at the FEI Sports Forum in April 2025.

(HANN) 7.250 euro became highest hammer price at Breeder’s Offer 2024 - Part II

The well moving filly went to Danish Wibe Dressage, as an offspring by Don Nobless has been her the favourite list for many years.

Opposite many other breeders Helle Wibe did not use Don Nobless as she did not find any of her own mares as a perfect breeding match for Don Nobless. Therefore she is of course super happy with this filly coming to Denmark.

Here you find the entire list of prizes - https://horse24.com/en/auctions/details/breeder-s-offer-2024-part-ii-370

Outstanding top price mare sold for 550.000 euro to France at Handorf Auction Festival

part of press release

Bundeschampionesse sold for 550,000 Euros

Successful final day of the Handorf Auction Festival

 

Münster: 43 dressage horses and ponies as well as six youngsters were up for sale on the final day of the Westphalian Auction Festival. The three-day OnLive auctions came to an end today. The reigning Bundeschampioness Senorita la Bonita changed hands for the top price of 550,000 euros. Another top priced was achieved by Valegra, who was sold for 360,000 euros.

Dressage horses took the centre stage this afternoon on the final day of the Westphalian Studbooks three-day auction festival. The lot of 40 dressage-orientated riding horses was completed by three strong-moving riding ponies and six unridden youngsters who still have a great career in the dressage arena ahead of them.

 

The OnLive auction got off to a brilliant start this afternoon. With the special head number 1001, a very special horse entered the Westphalian auction arena. Senorita la Bonita was crowned Bundeschampioness of three-year-old riding horses just a few weeks ago in Warendorf. On the final day there, the daughter of Sir Heinrich/Westernhagen received the ideal score of 10.0 for both trot and canter. Breeder and exhibitor Axel Windeler says of his Bundeschampioness: ‘As a young horse, Senorita la Bonita has the best qualities a horse can have! I wish her the necessary time, the best training and a careful development. She is a horse that we will certainly see again at the major championships.’ Excitement was in the air as the beautiful mare, decorated with the Bundeschampionat sash, entered the packed auction hall. Bids flew in online and on the phones. At 420,000 euros, one bidder entered online and secured a clear lead with a big move to 500,000 euros. In the end, Senorita la Bonita was knocked down to customers on the phone for 550,000 euros. In honour of the champion as well as her new owner and breeder, the audience rose to their feet and celebrated this championship horse of the future in the Westphalian Auction Hall.

 

With a hammer price of 360,000 euros, head number 4 Valegra achieved another fantastic top price. The daughter of Valverde/For Romance I already impressed at this year's Elite Show in Münster-Handorf. Here she was crowned second reserve champion. The mare, bred by ZG Welling GbR, Wietmarschen, descents from the direct dam line of the licensed stallion Fürst Samarant, who is based at the Beckmann stallion station in Wettringen. Under the saddle of Friederike Kampmeyer, the former premium stallion of the Westphalian main licensing is currently successful in advanced level dressage competitions. In 2021, her exhibitor acquired the mare at one of the Westphalian online foal auctions

35.500 euro top price colt by Dynamic Dream / Fürst Magic at Westphalian Golden Autumn 2024 foal auction

PART OF PRESS RELEASE

Handorf foal festival with 90 per cent sales quota

35,500 euros for son of Dynamic Dream

 

Münster: Around 30 foals were up for sale this evening at the Westphalian Studbook. Almost 90 per cent of these found a new owner at an average price of 9,890 Euros. The most expensive offer was a son of Dynamic Dream with a hammer price of 35,500 euros. The shetlandpony foal, which sold for 3,500 euros, also found many fans.

 

The Westphalian Studbook celebrated its youngest talents one last time for the year 2024. Of the 28 riding horse foals offered for sale, 25 found a new owner.

With the head number 208, Don Domingo (breeder and exhibitor: Philipp Welsing, Borken) caused a particular stir. The strong-moving colt is a half-brother to Viviano Gold, who changed hands for 33,333 euros at this very OnLive foal auction exactly one year ago. For this year, the Welsing breeding family had paired their St.Pr.St. Fürstin Cissy by Fürst Magic with Dynamic Dream. Don Domingo was particularly sought-after by two customers from the Netherlands, who placed their bids online, and even exceeded the hammer price of his half-brother. He changed ownership to a stallion owner in the Netherlands for 35,500 euros.

The most expensive filly of the evening also came from the dressage squad of this auction lot. The daughter of Red Viper, who recently became World Champion of Young Dressage Horses in Ermelo, descents from a very special dam line. The dam, the Elite mare Hot Shot by Hotline, has already brought numerous high-priced auction horses and foals to the Westphalian auction place. She is none other than the dam of the World Champion and Aachen winner Vamos Amigos. With the characteristic name Red Amigas (breeder and exhibitor: Noortje Radstake, Netherlands), she changed hands for 16,000 euros.

Here you find the entire list of prices - https://horse24.com/en/auctions/details/westphalian-golden-autumn-2024-foals-368

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