Laudrup & Dufour launches new horse care collection

PRESS RELEASE

Cathrine and Rasmine Laudrup-Dufour are expanding the Laudrup & Dufour universe with the brand’s first horse care collection.

This spring marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter for Laudrup & Dufour. On April 1st, the brand relaunched with a new webshop and an expanded range of merchandise - for the first time operated directly from their own facilities. It was the start of a process where Cathrine and Rasmine were able to be closely involved in development, decision-making and the brand’s overall expression. “When you get the chance to keep everything closer - quite literally - ambitions grow, and so does the desire to create even more,” Cathrine says.

The relaunch was followed by one of the biggest events in Danish dressage this year: the two-day clinic with Kyra Kyrklund and Cathrine, which drew more than a thousand spectators. The event highlighted the direction Laudrup & Dufour is moving in - a brand that not only creates products but also experiences and community.

Now, Laudrup & Dufour is taking the next step on that journey: the launch of their first complete horse care collection - a collection long in the making, created with great attention to detail and a desire to add their own signature touch.

A collection shaped by care and experience
The five products - Deep Clean Shampoo, Silk Shine Shampoo, Hoof Care Oil, Skin Care Balm, and Silk Detangle Gel - are the result of an extended development process focused on functionality and quality.

“We’ve talked about creating our own care products for years,” Cathrine explains. “When you use something every single day, you know exactly what you want - and what can be improved. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created.”

For Rasmine, functionality has been essential from the beginning. “It’s been important for us to create a collection that not only looks good but actually works in daily life. We use the products on all our own horses, so the quality had to be spot-on - right down to the smallest detail.”

And even though the collection is launching now, this is only the first step. Laudrup & Dufour are already well underway with developing new products that will continue to expand and strengthen the collection in the future.

All products are available now at laudrupdufour.com.

A magnet for the best stallions

HANN PRESS RELEASE

Verden Stallion Licensing with Stallion Sales – Dressage Stallions

Verden.  The exceptional quality of the 2023 crop was impressively confirmed after the pre-selection at the licensing. 39 of the 76 young stallions were licensed. Eight premium stallions were accompanied by the applause of the numerous spectators in the Niedersachsenhalle on their lap of honour, five of which went on to the stallion sales. The top price of  500,000 euros was achieved by a Vivaldos/Revolution son.

“Stallions like this were the goal of opening up the stallion sales. If Hanover wants to stay ahead, the stallion licensing and sales must be a magnet for the best stallions in Europe,” said Heike Kemmer, a long-standing member of the licensing commission. The chestnut by Vivaldos/Revolution registered in Denmark (breeder: Thorhauge Horses, Hejls/DEN,  „Hengste wie dieser waren das Ziel der Öffnung des Hengstmarktes. Wenn Hannover vorne stehen will, muss der Hengstmarkt Anziehungspunkt für die besten Hengste Europas sein“, sagte Heike Kemmer, langjähriges Mitglied der Körkommission. Der in Dänemark registrierte Fuchs v. Vivaldos/Revolution (Z.: Thorhauge Horses, Hejls/DEN, exhibitor: Nordentoft ApS, Nibe/DEN) was the most sought-after premium stallion at the stallion sales. He remains in Danish ownership, with Helgstrand Dressage winning the bid at 500,000 euros. His neighbour in the stall will be a bay by Viva Vitalis/Dante's Junior (breeder and exhibitor: Hendrik Schäfer, Köchingen). He comes from the highly successful dam line of Schneiderin, who became Olympic with Imke Schellekens-Bartels' championship horse Sunrise. The top-class dressage prospect cost  350,000 euros.

The Celle State Stud secured a powerful-moving Opoque/De Niro son (breeder and exhibitor: 2M2 Horses I Bastad AB, Bastad/SWE). He is not only the fourth licensed, but also the second premium son of the mare Darina. State Stud Manager Dr Axel Brockmann had every reason to be happy, as he will also be adding the premium stallion by Livaldon/Diamond Hit (breeder: Elisabeth Albers, Löningen, exhibitor: Gestüt Allerhop, Hambühren) to his stable. The powerful dark bay, bred from the same dam line as Franziskus FRH, was only at the licensing in the Niedersachsenhalle.

The first stallion at the stallion sales was a Valdiviani/Feinrich son (breeder: Dr Norbert Grittern, Heinsberg, exhibitor: Theo Lenzen, Mönchengladbach), who was greeted with loud applause. After an exciting bidding duel, a customer from the USA proved to have the most stamina online and purchased the bay for 365,000 Euros. The classically Hanoverian-bred Vivaldos/De Niro son (breeder: Roman Bravenec, Alt Ruppin, exhibitor: BG Schulte-Märter and Schwierking, Soest) will move into a stallion station Sosath in Lemwerder. The bay was sold for 90,000 euros. This was already the stallion's second appearance in the Niedersachsenhalle; two years ago, he was part of the elite foal and broodmare collection.

The licensing began with an outstanding premium stallion: head number one was an Opoque/Bon Bravour son (breeder: Dr. Christina Beuke, Lilienthal, exhibitor: Bollmoor Partner GmbH & Co KG, Lütjensee). The powerful chestnut from the dam line of Ulla Salzgeber's Olympic champion Rusty was not for sale. The same applied to a Feliciano/Fürst Romancier son (breeder: ZG Muhle, Burgdorf, exhibitor: 360° Sportpferde, Duisburg), who impressed with his type and revealed real highlights on the lunge. Both stallions will be stationed at Pascal Kandziora's and will therefore be available to breeders next year.

After the premium stallions, the licensed and unlicensed stallions were auctioned off. The Warendorf State Stud secured an Opoque/Christ son (breeder: ZG Lange, Hagen, exhibitor: Romina Capezzuto, Florida/USA) from the important dam line of Schwanjungfrau for 60,000 euros. The average price for the 36 licensed stallions was 82,444 euros. 33 unlicensed stallions came up for auction, fetching an average price of 25,455 euros.

Before the eagerly awaited stallion market opened, not only were the Stallion and Mare of the Year honoured in the show programme, but also the Bundeschampion Sky by Sezuan/Sir Donnerhall (breeder: Gestüt Neff, Frankenberg) was awarded the FRH suffix. It was a fitting setting, as five years ago he left the Niedersachsenhalle as a premium stallion and headed for Gut Schönweide in Grebin.

Here you find the entire list of prices.

Bon Courage wins the FRH Cup

Bon Courage and Thomas Schulze (Photo: Hanoverian Society)

FRH Cup in Verden

Verden. The third edition of the FRH Cup in Verden saw beaming winners. Bon Courage and Thomas Schulze took the lap of honour wearing the white and yellow winner's sash, followed by Zuperman OLD with Beatrice Hoffrogge and Manolo FRH with Borja Carrascosa in the saddle. On this occasion, the newly created Madeleine Winter-Schulze Prize was awarded for the first time to Stephan Kurz, the breeder of Mount St John Freestyle.

As in the qualifiers, the impressive Bon Coeur/Vivaldi son Bon Courage (breeder: Dr Christine Feichtinger/LIE) and Thomas Schulze collected the most points in the FRH Cup final. Seven years ago, the liver chestnut was celebrated as a premium stallion at the same venue during his licensing and then moved into a box at the W.M. stud farm in Visselhövede. He is now available to breeders through the Lodbergen Dressage Horse Performance Centre. “Bon Courage lives for his rider every day and puts his heart and soul into the dressage arena for me,” enthuses Thomas Schulze.

Second place went to Zuperman OLD by Vincent Maranello/Destano with Beatrice Hoffrogge. Not only did he prove his athleticism, but one of his sons is also part of the Verden stallion licensing. The white ribbon for third place adorned the bridle of Manolo FRH by Morricone/Donnerhall (breeder: ZG Stritzke und Schellin, Hamburg) and Borja Carrascosa. The eight-year-old already bears the suffix FRH, having been Hanoverian Champion of six-year-old dressage horses two years ago. There will be a reunion with the top three in December, as they have all secured their tickets to the final of the Nuremberg Burg Cup in Frankfurt.

Even before the award ceremony, there were some goosebump moments during the tribute to successful breeders. For the first time, the Madeleine Winter-Schulze Prize was awarded to breeders of particularly successful sport horses. In dressage, it went to Stephan Kurz, Zöbingen. He is the breeder of Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour's world number one dressage horse, Mount St John Freestyle by Fidermark/Donnerhall. The prizes for show jumping and eventing will be awarded next weekend at the show jumping stallion licensing. Certificates of honour were also awarded to Vasco Freire, Portugal, the breeder of double European champion Zonik Plus by Zonik/Hohenstein, and to Christian Thelker, Venne, who bred the Para European champion Escari by Escolar/Diamond Hit.

68 dressage stallions selected for Westphalian licensing taking place 30 November - 2 December

Final German stallion licensing for Westphalian breeding society taking place from 30 November - 2 December in Münster Handorf.

For the licensing H2R picked 8 FOCUS stallions:

No 1 - look like a top star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Super supple from behind over the back trot, soft uphill canter (bit Don Schufro like), and yes the first 4-5 walk steps are not spot on but from there very nice quality of the walk.

No 11 - super correct and natural mover with three really good basic gaits. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

No 28 - modern look with nice quick of the ground movements and nice supple top line. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

No 43 - functional supple mover, look like medium size, could carry the front bit more overall 🌟🌟🌟

No 49 - from the type, this is definitely a stallion. Beautiful conformation, uphill, expressive, lovely mover in trot with good balance, short walk and unfortunately no canter is available. Lets see, but one to keep an eye on.

No 64 - correct and supple mover with super walk, movements becomes bit flat overall. 🌟🌟🌟

No 67 - Powerful well moving stallion, missing bit more suppleness over the back. 🌟🌟🌟

No 68 - well moving in all three gaits, could show bit more natural closed frame. 🌟🌟🌟

HERE YOU FIND THE ENTIRE LIST OF STALLIONS.

Schedule:

Se listen med de kvalificerede til Unghestechampionatet 2026 til Dansk Varmblods hingstekåring i Herning

Så er de 50 kvalificerede heste til næste års Unghestechampionat i Herning klar. (Der tages selvfølgelig forbehold for fejl).

Da det jo i år er første gang hvor RIDELIGHED tæller før kapacitets karakteren.

Tilføjelse: Der har også været afholdt en afdeling af Egnethedstesten i Norge i forbindelse med følskue og hoppekåring (august). Her vandt ekvipagen med samlet 840p (Zari e. Zucchero Gold - Donkey Boy) trav 8, galop 8, skridt 9, ridelighed 8,5, kapacitet 8,5.

Den er med ekstra i udover de 50 på listen fra DK.

Michaela Navrsted og Kingsly vinder årets sidste ekstra egnethedstest på Stutteri ASK/Blue Hors

Dommer Bjarne Nielsen, avler & ejer Heidi Dyhrberg Andersen, Michaela & Kingsly, dommer Vicky Nortvig og dommer Rune Willum - foto: H2R

CS Equestrian rytter Michaela Navrsted nåede lige hjem fra succesfuld OLD, og tog sejren til den afsluttende Egnethedstest idag på Stutteri ASK/Blue Hors.

Avler og ejer Heidi Dyhrberg Andersen fortæller her i det lille interview om Kingsly, og udtrykker stor taknemmelighed overfor Michaela og teamet hos CS Equestrian, der i løbet af 6 uger har gjort Kingsly flot klar til dagens opgave.

Grundet den store tilslutning til årets egnethedstest, blev der med en ekstra kvalifikation heldigvis plads til at alle fik mulighed for at deltage.

Efter en fuld dag i går lørdag med 67 ekvipager, var dommer teamet klar til 20 ekvipager fra morgenstunden i dag. Umiddelbart kunne man godt have tænkt sig at afvikle alle ekvipager på en dag, men efter grundig overvejelse blev det over to dage. En beslutning som tydeligvis også var fornuftig i forhold til dommerne, som alle tre var glade for at dagen ikke var længere i går.

Med omkring 260 ekvipager til egnethedstesterne i år, har tilslutningen aldrig været større og det glæder naturligvis dommerteamet, at se så mange ekvipager rundt i hele landet.

Listen med de 50 kvalificerede heste til Unghestechampionatet i Herning 2026 følger på seperat nyhed her på H2R.

Bjarne Nielsen gør status efter året egnethedstester:

Diallo BB dances to debut World Cup victory in Stuttgart with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and Diallo BB, winners of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2025/2026 - Stuttgart (GER) ©  FEI / Stefan Lafrentz

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) has returned to the top of international Dressage, this time with her rising star Diallo BB. Following their Grand Prix win yesterday, the pair clinched the Freestyle today in Stuttgart (GER), scoring 83.095% to take a decisive victory. Her compatriot Raphael Netz (GER) claimed second place with Great Escape Camelot, scoring 80.765% to join von Bredow-Werndl as the only athlete over the 80% mark today. Patrik Kittel (SWE) finished third with his FEI Dressage World Cup 2024 Final winner Touchdown on 79.620%.

Pressure until the final combination

With the top athletes tightly packed, the FEI Dressage World Cup™ in Stuttgart (GER) remained open until the very last starter. While several horses seemed impressed by the atmosphere of the large Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in yesterday’s Grand Prix, today the tension appeared to have settled. Diallo BB (owned by Antoinette Göbelsmann-Schweitzer and Beatrice A. Buerchler-Keller), who found the surroundings challenging yesterday, produced 73.261% to win the Grand Prix. But today in the Freestyle, the pair added another level entirely, finishing more than three percent ahead of the field.

 

“In the Freestyle I could enjoy every single step down the final centreline. Diallo was so relaxed, yet still so powerful. After a pretty difficult and hot start in the Grand Prix yesterday, I didn’t expect him to be so focused today. I was so proud of him, because this arena is very electric.”

 

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

(GER)

 

Von Bredow-Werndl performed to music previously used with Zaïre-E. “This music also suits Diallo perfectly. We made a few small adjustments, but it feels wonderful to ride to these sounds again,” the German athlete smiled.

Strong challenge from Netz and Pape

As the first of the final five starters, von Bredow-Werndl opened an intense final stage of competition. She was immediately followed by Germany-based Susan Pape (GBR) with Harmony’s Giulilanta (owned by the athlete and Harmony Sporthorses). The elegant chestnut mare showed excellent technique in the collected work, and riding to Tom Jones music, Pape scored 78.290% to finish sixth.

Next came 26-year-old Raphael Netz, who spent many years at Aubenhausen (GER) under the guidance of von Bredow-Werndl. He showed what he has learned in the saddle of Great Escape Camelot (owned by Sonja Kristina Kral and Therese Boss), becoming the second combination to break the 80%-barrier on 80.765%, good for second place in the final standings.

“I had a fantastic feeling today, I really enjoyed riding Camelot. He is a very special horse; I can always rely on him. He has the biggest heart and really grows in the arena.”

Netz is competing in the World Cup series with two horses this season, having also started Dieudonnee two weeks ago in Lyon (FRA). “That is new for me, but it’s great fun. In principle the Final in Fort Worth is our goal, but which World Cup qualifiers we will ride next is something we will decide along the way.”

Top Belgian performances

Belgium sent four combinations into the Freestyle in Stuttgart, with Alexa Fairchild and Larissa Pauluis finishing in the prizes. Before the break, Fairchild completed a strong test with Fairplay (owned by the athlete and Af Equestrian Lda), showing a very steady piaffe-passage tour. Their score of 75.680% placed them eighth.

Pauluis delivered an energetic test with Flambeau (owned by Caroline and Emmanuel Lepage and Jean and Marie Christine Pauluis) as the penultimate starter. A significant mistake in the one-tempi changes prevented a higher placing, and with 78.680% they finished fifth, unable to repeat their top-three result from Lyon.

Kittel goes full attack

The final athlete to enter the arena, Patrik Kittel (SWE), was the only remaining challenger for the winning score. Touchdown (owned by Sommarkvarn Ab) looked fresh and expressive. With outstanding half-passes, uphill extensions and excellent pirouettes, the experienced Swedish athlete appeared headed towards an 80% score. However, Touchdown delivered a small buck at the end of an extended canter, and both the piaffes and transitions could have been more secure.

 

“I went for it today, but Touchdown gave me a small, enthusiastic buck in return. Touchdown was so fit and happy, he got very excited by the atmosphere in the arena. He was just happy to be here, but for today that was maybe a little too happy…”

 

 

Patrik Kittel

(SWE)


Kittel has not yet decided whether he will aim for the Final in Fort Worth, though he intends to compete at the World Cup leg in Amsterdam (NED).

Top ten results and World Cup standings

Among the top ten were Svenja Kämper-Meyer (GER) with her home-bred Amanyara M FRH (owned by Hans-Jürgen Meyer), and ninth-placed Delia Eggenberger (SUI) with Fairtrade (owned by Isabelle Ros), both scoring above 75%. The just 22-year-old Moritz Treffinger (GER) rode the impressive black stallion Cadeau Noir (owned by Gestüt Bonhomme GmbH & Co. KG) to seventh place, matching his result from Herning (DEN). 

A standout improvement in the ranking came from Marieke van der Putten (NED) with Kuvasz RS2 N.O.P.T. (owned by RS2 Dressage Center de Horst). After finishing seventh in the Grand Prix, the pair climbed to fourth in the Freestyle with 78.765%.

After the third World Cup leg, Raphael Netz now leads the standings thanks to his impressive second place today. The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg will take place in London (GBR) on 18 and 19 December, so do not miss a hoofbeat!

 FULL RESULTS

Maraton Egnethedstest weekend i region 3 startet i dag på Stutteri ASK / Blue Hors

Dagens podie - vinder Soulsister L med Emily Nielsen, delt nr. 2 Sanne Henningsen med Grafitti´s Fast Lane II, Steen Steensen Blicher med Strandholts Daydream og Tina Kirkegaard med Feverfew - foto: H2R

Med både dressur og springning på egnethedstest programmet i weekenden, og med en ekstra dag søndag formiddag for dressurfolket, så er der dømt masser unghesteridning hele weekenden på Stutteri ASK / Blue Hors på de fantastiske faciliteter.

Lørdagens egnethedstest var med 67 startende ekvipager. Sejren gik til den ultra smukke og velgående sølvmedaljehoppe Soulsister L e. Secret / Apache med Emily Nielsen fra L-Horses (Maria Skodborg Rudbeck og Karsten Bundgaard). Dagens højeste karakter var et 9-tal som Soulsister L velfortjent fik for skridten. Samtidig afvikler Soulsister sin trav bevægelse med kvikhed op af jorden, og går med dejlig udtryk i alle tre gangarter, rigtig god op ad bakke kvalitet i galoppen, og en super skridt med fin overtrædning og dejlig smidighed. Travkvaliteten synes dommerne tydeligvis ikke var af samme høje kvalitet for fremtiden som H2R så den.

Blikket på fremtiden

For H2R handler egnethedstesten ikke alene om nuværende kvaliteter, men i stor grad også at forsøge at spotte potentiale og kvalitet til fremtiden.

Fremtidslisten iflg. H2R fra i dag indeholder:

Soulsister (1), Strandholts Daydream (2), Grafitti´s Fast Lane II (2), Karmamio (nr. 8) afvikler sit bevægelses forløb let og smidig med naturlig op ad bakke tendens, Vivace (nr. 10) en skøn power hest med god naturlig styrke og balance samt Magic´s Jackpot (nr. 21) super udtryk op ad bakke, skrap og kvik af jorden i traven.

H2R har fanget et par klip af Soulsister L sammen med dommer kommentarer ⬇️

Under vejs i løbet af dagen fangede H2R lidt videoklip, som kan findes via Instagram historier her.

Timetable of equestrian events for LA28 Olympic Games confirmed

With less than three years to go to until the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28), the Organising Committee has unveiled the official competition schedule. Equestrian events will kick off with Eventing, followed by Dressage and wrap up with Jumping.

The timetable

The timetable of the equestrian competitions for the LA28 Olympic Games can be accessed here. It has been carefully designed with the climatic conditions in mind, ensuring an optimal set-up, particularly for the horses and athletes as well as for all the other participants and spectators.

 Photo caption: The equestrian events of the LA28 Olympic Games will take place from 14 to 29 July at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

 

As with previous Olympic Games, the timetable is provisional and will remain subject to change through to Games-time in 2028. The equestrian schedule at the Paralympic Games will be announced at a later date.

“Following an in-depth presentation of LA28 at the FEI General Assembly 2025 on 7 November in Hong Kong, China, the announcement of the competition schedule for the Olympic Games is great news,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos commented. “The equestrian events will take place over 16 days starting on 14 July, the day of the Olympic Games opening ceremony, and ending on 29 July, the day before the closing ceremony. It is well balanced and mindful of horse and athlete welfare. It includes three days without competition, which will allow for the horses and athletes to ease into the event, prepare and rest comfortably. It also permits for adjustments in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

“We are very pleased with the progress in preparations for the LA28 Olympic equestrian events accomplished over the past few months and look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the organising committee over the next three years.

“The IOC’s confirmation that equestrian would retain the same medal events and quota places as for Paris 2024 is a very positive development as is the approval of Santa Anita Park in Arcadia as the venue for all the equestrian competitions. A solid basis has been set and we anticipate truly outstanding LA28 Olympic equestrian events in a wonderful setting.”

Some details

Eventing will be the first equestrian discipline in competition with the horse inspection taking place on 14 July, the day of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Competition proper will begin on 15 July at 09:00 local time with Eventing Dressage, which will continue on the following day. The Cross Country will be held on 17 July and the first equestrian medals of LA28 will be won on 18 July with the Team and Individual Eventing Finals.

The horse inspection for Dressage will be conducted in the morning of 18 July prior to the Eventing Finals. The Dressage Grand Prix will take place over two days, on 20 and 21 July, followed by the Grand Prix Special on 22 July, which is the Dressage Team Final. There will be no competition scheduled the following day the with the Jumping and Dressage second horse inspections taking place. The sport will resume on 24 July with the Dressage Individual Final – the Grand Prix Freestyle – with the Jumping re-inspection taking place in the early morning.

The Team Qualifier in Jumping – the last Olympic equestrian discipline at competition in LA28 – is scheduled for 25 July with the Team Final planned for 26 July. The second Jumping horse inspection and re-inspection will take place on 27 July and will be followed by the Jumping Individual Qualifier on 28 July. The Jumping Individual Final will conclude the LA28 Olympic equestrian calendar on 29 July.

No competitions are planned for 19, 23, and 27 July.

Lottie Fry winner of both class L and class M at first KWPN stallion competition yesterday in Kronenberg

Real Dream & Lottie Fry winner of L-class - photo: Horses/KWPN

L class

The 2021 generation made its debut today at the first Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage in Ermelo. The four-year-old stallions did not disappoint, Real Dream even earned the highest score of the day. The Dynamic Dream son impressed under Charlotte Fry, achieving 92.8 points, including a 9.8 for his outstanding canter.

Read the full news here.

Pjethro & Lottie Fry

M class

Last year in the Stallion Competition and again this summer in the Pavo Cup, Charlotte Fry and Pjethro had to settle for the reserve title. Today, the Kjento son struck back, taking the first win of the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage season with an impressive 89.8 points in the M class.

Read the full news here.

Z class

The Z class of the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage showcased outstanding quality this evening. World Champion Red Viper lived up to every expectation under Dinja van Liere, scoring an impressive 92.2 points. With that result, the Romanov Blue Hors son claimed victory in Kronenberg.

Read the full news here.
Full list of scores for all stallions here.

All credits to KWPN.org.

H2R note about Danish Warmblood stallions:

Two Danish Warmblood bred stallions from L Horses, Magic Mckee L and Sarai L were also competing.
Magic Mckee L by Total McLaren/Negro finished at the podium 3rd and was super presented by his daily rider Lina Uzunhasan. This stallion look like the full package for both sport and breeding.

Many breeders are of course interested in the development of Sarai L, and from H2R point of view he develops very nicely including more suppleness for the walk. Unfortunately he bit himself during the test and was eliminated.

Successful Cathrine and Kyra clinic

Full attention from the audience during the entire clinic - photo: H2R

Two days of sold out for Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Kyra Kyrklund clinic at Slangerupgaard

A total of 1.000 ticket were sold in a super short time to Friday and Saturday´s clinic with the dream team Cathrine and Kyra. The clinic was with pure golden tips and tricks combined with daily challenges, all with the goal to optimize the daily training.

Their “partnership” started for about 10 years ago, when former trainer of Cathrine and Cassidy, Rune Willum was asking Kyra to help develop the piaffe of Cassidy, as it at that point mostly looked like when pooring cold water on his feet.

The program for the day was divided into two sessions, with three horses and riders in each session, finishing with Cathrine and MSJ Freestyle as ising on the cake.

Each horse and rider with different training. Lots of statements during the day:

  • What, Why and How (What we are doing, why we are doing it and how we are doing it)

  • Cathrine tells that Kyra can give you a kind of “shell shock” to help break bad habits

  • Symptomes must be treated (then they never develop to “illness”

  • The rider must be in balance to be able to balance the horse

  • Try to immitate a good rider (Kyra did that with Herbert Rehbein, making people say why Rehbein was walking like Kyra).

  • Never get to greedy in you training

  • Start playing with your horse at an early stage.

  • If you never tasted strawberry you don´t know the taste

  • Important always thinking ahead

  • Use more seat (not in the textbook of Kyra) - you can use your weight

  • It´s all about getting a reaction from using any kind of aides or tools

  • Understand the comfort zone – stress zone – panic zone. Dynamic progress happens in the stress zone, but never cross into panic.

Cathrine was in the saddle of three horses and furthermore daily rider at Cathrines place, Jannie Dietz was riding 6 yr old Danish Warmblood gelding Grand Quest-Bell by Grand Galaxy / Don Romantic, bred by Tina and Nicolai Jepsen, owned by Cathrine in partnership with family Zinglersen, 10 yr old Danish Warmblood gold medal mare Gozzip by Sezuan / De Noir, bred by Bente Michaelsen, and owned by the rider Ida Bøllingtoft Asmussen and 11 yr old Danish Warmblood gelding Atterupgaards Cooper by Charmeur / Gribaldi, bred by Atterupgaard and owned by the rider Sara Hyrm.

First Cathrine was showing 5 yr old Danish Warmblood mare Santalina by Duke / Blue Hors Schufro Hit, daily rider Kristine Ulsø Olsen (part of team Laudrup-Dufour) owned and bred by Kristine´s parents, Tine and Torben Ulsø Olsen. For some Torben Ulsø Olsen might be a familiar name, as Torben was part of the Danish Olympic dressage team in 1984 Los Angeles. Cathrine has only been in the saddle of “Musse” for a few times, and still from starting out in pony trot to finishing top responding to one of the “trick” from the tool box, being able to lift the shoulder by light tapping with a whip in the shoulder, giving exactly the effect as Cathrine was asking for.

Cathrine was also showing 8 yr old Danish Warmblood gelding Final S DWB by Franklin / Stedinger, bred by Sara Juul and owned by Cathrine in partnership with family Zinglersen. Focusing on using the relaxation/control from counter canter toward pirouettes. He has been in the stable for about 1 year now and is one of the hopes for the future for Cathrine.

Last but not least Cathrine entered with Freestyle, telling about how to ride her in the everyday, making her own buttons, the gift of an already top zigzag “installation” and the challenges with flying changes easily becomming a kind of issue, where Cathrine has been supported by her long time mental coach Rasmus Bagger, saying “I love one time tempies” when entering the line.

A true masterclass

The clinic was a perfect blend of a full toolbox, technical precision, and true horsemanship showing why Cathrine and Kyra are among the most respected figures in the dressage world. Their combined approach left everyone inspired to bring new energy and deeper understanding to their own training.

World Championship Young Horses in Verden and World Championship in Aachen

The International 2026 Calendar – Verden and Aachen Collide

Fitting all the major international events into the annual calendar is always a challenge, but 2026 presents an especially tricky situation. With the World Championships taking place in Aachen — the dressage competitions scheduled for 10–15 August — the World Championships for Young Horses (WCYH) in Verden have been set for the week immediately before, 4–9 August.

This overlap means that many people will likely allocate their annual event budget to visiting Aachen, while at the same time, some of the international top riders would normally qualify and present their young horses at the WCYH may have to drop Verden from their plans in order to focus on Aachen.

We all want to enjoy the very best of the sport being able to watch and celebrate the very best combinations at the Championships, whether it’s Worlds best young horses or the established stars competing at the highest level.

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