Equestrian enthusiasts from Denmark and abroad filled MCH Herning for the Danish Warmblood Stallion Licensing. Five days of increasing visitor numbers, international top sport, stallions of the highest quality once again created a truly special atmosphere
Full house at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show. photo credit: Ridehesten.com
Every year, horse enthusiasts from Denmark and around the world travel to Herning to take part in the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show and the Hest & Rytter fair at MCH Herning. This year, the event attracted a total of 61,266 visitors, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The audience was also treated to impressive sport and stallions of exceptional quality.
Five days of international sport, and in dressage at the very highest level in ECCO Five Star Dressage, exciting and impressive show jumping, and the central stallion licensing once again formed the backbone of the event.
“We are extremely pleased to experience the tremendous support for this year’s Stallion Licensing, where we could celebrate growth in both visitor numbers and the number of stallions presented for licensing,” begins Claus Hansen, Director of Danish Warmblood and DV-Event.
“The audience played a major role in creating a very special atmosphere and celebration in Herning — an atmosphere that permeated the entire event and clearly reflects the great passion for breeding and sport. It was also very special to experience the positive energy at the exhibition.”
“Led by key members of our support team, our skilled and tireless volunteers once again lifted the event to a truly exceptional level. I am deeply grateful for their tremendous support. Likewise, the backing from our many sponsors and stallion owners is invaluable and makes it possible for us to create an event of absolute top class.”
“With an increase in the number of stallions presented for licensing and dressage sport at absolute world level, we demonstrate in Herning the strong and important connection between breeding and sport. This unique combination helps make the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show an event that ranks among the very best internationally and is unmatched by any similar event in the equestrian world.”
Winner of ECCO Five Star dressage in Herning, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and MSJ Freestyle. photo credit: Ridehesten.com
Isabell Werth Impressed by the Event and Atmosphere
German rider Isabell Werth, the most successful dressage rider in history, has experienced almost everything in her career – but the Danish audience in Jyske Bank Boxen nearly took her breath away.
“I am so impressed by the show and the atmosphere here. This show has everything – sport and breeding, young and experienced riders. The atmosphere was electric when I entered the arena today, and I truly enjoyed it,” said Isabell Werth, who finished second twice with the Danish Warmblood mare Wendy de Fontaine by Sezuan/Blue Hors Soprano (bred by Kurt Gosmer). Together they delivered a magnificent performance and broke the magical 90 percent markin the freestyle.
The victory went to Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle, prompting the audience in the arena to rise and cheer for the pair.
“The victory itself means less, but seeing top-level sport here in Denmark is fantastic. We have an amazing show here, and the atmosphere – I’m not sure it exists anywhere else in the world like this. I almost must pinch myself that we can have this kind of top sport in Herning,” said Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour after her win.
Isabell Werth and the Danish Warmblood mare Wendy de Fontaine. photo credit: Ridehesten.com
Stallions for the Future
The stallion licensing is the core element of the Danish Warmblood association. It is here that the organization and breeders see the very best of this year’s young stallions.
The number of stallions presented for licensing was close to a historic high, and as the judges have highlighted over the past days, the top stallions were also accompanied by outstanding quality.
In Denmark we are fortunate to have forward-thinking and highly skilled stallion owners with an almost unique ability to identify the breeding stars of the future on an international scale — something that benefits breeders greatly.
The dressage breeding committee — Vicky Nortvig, Johnny Sørensen, Bjarne Nielsen and Rune Willum — approved 18 stallions, of which five received premium stallion status:
Cat. no. 30 Bilbao by Be Sure / Blue Hors Zackerey, owned and bred by Bakkegaard ApS
Cat. no. 43 Epic Zone PS by Escanto PS / Secret, bred by Gestüt Lewitz and owned by HP Horses
Cat. no. 44 Enziano by Escanto PS / Blue Hors Veneziano, bred by Klaus Sieverding and owned by Helgstrand Dressage ApS
Cat. no. 47 Fireball (SWB) by Fifty-Fifty / Blue Hors Don Schufro, owned and bred by Gränsbo Stuteri
Cat. no. 64 Venture DWB by Vivaldos / Revolution, bred by Thorhauge Horses and owned by Helgstrand Dressage ApS
Premium stallion Venture DWB by Vivaldos. photo credit: Ridehesten.com
Selected Prize Winners and Champions at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show 2026
H.R.H. Princess Benedikte’s Challenge Trophy:Wendy de Fontaine, ridden by Isabell Werth. Bred by Kurt Gosmer and owned by Bolette Wandt and Madeleine Winter-Schulze
MCH Warmblood Award: Merete Leth Keller, Dansk Hesteforsikring
Stallion of the Year: Todt un Prinze Ask, owned by Stutteri Ask and stationed with Rudie Telgenhof and Christina Ottesen
Aage Ravn Trophy: Invictus IWE by Iron / Quaterback, bred by Iben W. Deleuran and owned by Helgstrand Dressage
Elvin Rasmussen Trophy: Jupiter DWB by Jewel Ask Z / Clearwater S, bred by Hans Jørgen Juhl and owned by Maigaard (Mette Nielsen), Stutteri Volstrup & RayPawer Trading ApS – awarded breeder’s gold medal and named champion stallion
ECCO Five Star Dressage / Nordentoft Grand Prix:Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour & Mount St. John Freestyle
ECCO Five Star Dressage / ECCO Grand Prix Freestyle: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour & Mount St. John Freestyle
Stutteri Ask Grand Prix (show jumping): Hessel Hoekstra (NED) & VDL Mindset ES – best Danish rider: Søren Møller Rohde / Action Man Ask Z (3rd place)
Dansk Hesteforsikring Young Horse Championship (jumping): Syvhøjegårds Quick-Change & Jeppe Madsen
Hestens Værn Championship Prize (jumping):Chenok MK & Martin Mose Knudsen
Blue Hors Young Horse Championship (dressage):EVO Ivy Blue & Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen
Hestens Værn Championship Prize (dressage):Jackson M & Helle Emborg Bønnelycke
Hestens Værn Presentation Prize: Mathis Beck
Breeder’s Gold Medal: Quinn G. by Quaterback / Fassbinder, ridden by Fiona Bigwood and bred by Helene Geervliet
Danish Farriers Championship: Farrier Daniel Sahl – apprentice competition winner Jon Banke