Lövsta Future Challenge International Dressage Tour kicks off season 4 at World Cup Herning

Cecilia Bergåkra and My Friend, photo / Pernilla Hägg

PRESS RELEASE

This week marks the start of the fourth season of the Lövsta Future Challenge International Dressage Tour. In collaboration with the Gothenburg Horse Show, World Cup Herning, and Jumping Amsterdam, the tour offers young U25 riders the chance to compete in some of Europe’s most prestigious arenas – the very same venues that host the FEI Dressage World Cup™.

Eight riders, including two Danish riders are set to compete in Herning. Swedish rider, but Danish based Cecilia Bergåkra, is returning to the tour for the second consecutive year. Last season she competed with IZack, a partnership that has since earned both a Swedish Championship silver medal and a place on the Swedish B-team. This year she brings My Friend (born 2011, by Friendship–Troll, bred by Carina Edin & Stiven Wiklund, owned by the Bergåkra family, CEO Equestrian & Carina Edin).

“Riding the international LFC Tour with IZack gave us invaluable experience and confidence stepping into senior Grand Prix competitions. It has also helped me in developing Maya further, and I’m really looking forward to creating new memories with both horses as the season opens in Herning,” says Cecilia Bergåkra.

After the 2023 competitions in Herning, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén, founder of Lövsta Future Challenge, summed up her impressions:

“It’s fantastic to see such great interest in our tour. The level of both horses and riders is very high – most of them are already competitive in international Grand Prix.”

And she was right. Several riders who have competed in the LFC International Dressage Tour have since progressed to senior international Grand Prix. In the CDI3* Grand Prix Tour, five of the 17 riders are former LFC participants — three Danish, one German, and one Swedish. The CDI3* also includes a former winner of the Lövsta Future Challenge National Tour for Young Grand Prix Horses, while the World Cup class features two previous finalists.

Germany’s Moritz Treffinger is among the World Cup starters; after earning his first international U25 placing in Herning in 2023, he now returns to compete in the World Cup:

“I’m really looking forward to competing in the World Cup! Taking part in the LFC international competitions has given me so much valuable experience of riding in the big arenas, but above all, it’s been fantastic to watch and learn from the top riders up close. I’ve taken every opportunity to follow their training sessions, ask for advice, and be inspired.”

Show Director Casper Cassøe is looking forward to welcoming the U25 riders back to Herning:

- "It is a great pleasure for us to once again be part of the Lövsta Future Challenge. We are very excited about this collaboration and the valuable opportunities it creates through the tournament. Support from engaged partners like Lövsta is absolutely crucial for the continued development of our sport.

The Lövsta Future Challenge provides talented U25 riders with a platform to compete at an international level — an essential step in their future journey. We see tremendous interest in the series from riders, trainers, and spectators alike, and we look forward to another inspiring edition in Herning."

The tour keeps its format, with competitions held at World Cup Herning in October, Jumping Amsterdam in late January, and the Gothenburg Horse Show in February.

You can find the program and tickets for World Cup Herninghere.

De første ekvipager er klar til finalerne i 4 års, 5 års og 7 års

De smukkeste rammer for championatsfinalerne på en solbeskinnet efterårsdag, hvor flere havde valgt at lægge dagens træning på de smukke udenoms arealer på Stutteri ASK / Blue Hors i Martofte på Nordfyn.

Dagen startede med indledende 4 års klasse, hvor de 22 bedste blev kvalificeret direkte til finalen, og hvor der for første gang i år, ikke er trøstfinale med adgang for yderligere ekvipager for finaledeltagelse. Det betyder at trøstfinalen alene er en selvstændig konkurrence, hvilket også giver god mening i hestevelfærdens tegn i forhold til at de blot 4-årige heste ikke kan komme til at gå tre konkurrencer i løbet af finalerne, men blot to.

I 5 års klassen var det de 12 bedste som nu er finaleklar, mens det i 7 års klassen var de 8 bedste. For de 5 års følger morgendagens 3 bedste ekvipager fra trøstfinalen til finalen, samt yderligere 2 ekvipager til finalen fra 7 års trøstfinalen i morgen.

Gennemgående dommerteams

De gennemgående dommerteams fra årets kvalifikationer sad også klar i de indledende klasser i dag.

Under årets kvalifikationer blev der fra flere sider meldt om negativ formidling af ridtene for de 4 års heste.

Efter dagens indledende klasse var ordvalget og formuleringerne flere gange desværre med negativ formidling af budskabet. Ordvalg som “vi kunne godt tænke os at DU som rytter formår at få vist hesten frem i en lidt bedre form”, eller “Det er din opgave som rytter, at hjælpe hesten derud, så den kan vises frem i en lidt mere korrekt form”.

Kommenteringen fra både Jens Holm i 5 års og Dennis Holst i 7 års var under vejs både konstruktive og positive.

Denmark and Sweden to headline FEI Dressage World Cup opener in Herning

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League is set to begin its 2025/2026 season in Herning (DEN) from 17 -18 October, with a strong field of 19 horse-and-athlete combinations. Just six weeks after the FEI Dressage European Championship in Crozet (FRA), Europe’s leading athletes are back in action for the indoor season. Host nation Denmark and their Scandinavian neighbours Sweden arrive in full force, bringing nearly their entire FEI Dressage European Championship line-ups to the Jyske Bank Boxen Arena.

Danish bronze medallists return to home ground

Three combinations from Denmark’s bronze-winning team in Crozet are entered for the Herning qualifier. Among them is World No. 3 Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who took individual silver at the FEI Dressage European Championship and won last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg in Herning. With her 16-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen ApS and Mount St John Equestrian LLP), she has maintained consistent Grand Prix scores above 80% and will once again start as one of the clear favourites for victory on home soil.

Laudrup-Dufour will be joined by her fellow European Championship team members Nadja Aaboe Sloth with Favour Gersdorf (owned by the athlete), who also qualified for the Freestyle Final in Crozet, and Rikke Dupont with Grand Galiano (owned by Gert Buchhave and Allan Hansen). Olympian Carina Cassøe Krüth will also make her return with her Tokyo partner Heilines Danciera (owned by Poul Thøgersen).

Swedish squad at full power

Sweden fields its complete European Championship team for Herning. Patrik Kittel, winner of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 in Riyadh (KSA) with Touchdown (owned by Sommarkvarn AB), leads the line-up. He is joined by Maria von Essen with Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst AB), Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven with Hyatt (owned by Lövsta Stuteri AB) and Sofie Lexner with Inoraline W (owned by Christinelund Dressage).

Also travelling to Herning is Caroline Darcourt with Lord Django (owned by Lövsta Stuteri AB), who already secured an FEI Dressage World Cup™ Central European League qualifier victory last weekend in Tallinn (EST).

Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands also represented

A number of leading combinations from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands will join the Scandinavian nations in Denmark. For Germany, Carina Scholz will compete with Soirée D’Amour OLD (owned by CBK Pferdezucht GmbH & Co. KG), the mare she also rode at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2025 in Basel (SUI). The pair have already secured a World Cup qualifier win this season in Dunajský Klátov (SVK) as part of the Central European League. Germany’s entry list further includes Dorothee Schneider with First Romance 2, 2024 Finalist Raphael Netz with Great Escape Camelot, Fabienne Müller-Lütkemeier with Valencia AS, and Moritz Treffinger with Cadeau Noir.

Belgium will be represented by Isabel Cool with Herr Charmeur Coolhorses and Alexa Fairchild with Fairplay.

For the Netherlands, Rowena Weggelaar, just 21 years old and a member of the Dutch European Championship team in Crozet, starts with Don Quichot. She is joined by compatriots Geert Jan Raateland (Gladiator) and Jonna Schelstraete (Ironman).

Season 39 heads towards Texas

Now entering its 39th season, the FEI Dressage World Cup™ will conclude in the United States from 8-12 April 2026. Three years after the Finals in Omaha (USA), the 2026 Final will return across the Atlantic for the seventh time in the series’ history, and for the first time ever will take place in Fort Worth, Texas (USA).

It has been 17 years since an American athlete last claimed the FEI Dressage World Cup™ title: Steffen Peters and Ravel in Las Vegas (2009). The only other U.S.-winner remains Debbie McDonald with Brentina in Gothenburg (2003).

The North American League (NAL) began its 2025/2026 campaign last month in Devon (USA), where Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena (owned by Ann Romney) took the first victory, perhaps signalling the start of a home-turf journey towards the Fort Worth Final. The NAL calendar continues with qualifiers in Canada, Mexico and several events across the United States.

Western European League calendar

This year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League features ten qualifiers rather than eleven, following the cancellation of Madrid Horse Week in late November. The season opener in Herning will be followed by Lyon (FRA) at the end of October, and Stuttgart (GER) in November. December will host London (GBR) and Mechelen (BEL), before the series moves on in January to Basel (SUI) and Amsterdam (NED). February brings Neumünster (GER) and Gothenburg (SWE), while the last qualifier once again takes place in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED).

The top nine combinations from the Western European League will earn their place at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2026 in Fort Worth (USA). Defending champion Charlotte Fry (GBR) automatically qualifies for the Final, provided she competes in at least two qualifiers this season. Fry claimed the 2025 title in Basel with the black stallion Glamourdale.

All set for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season

The 2025/2026 FEI Dressage World Cup™ series will officially begin on 17 October at 14:00 (local time) with the Grand Prix in Herning, followed by the Freestyle to Music on 18 October at 12:00 (local time).

With top athletes from across Europe and beyond lining up, the opening leg promises an exciting start to what looks set to be another thrilling season of FEI Dressage World Cup™ action — from Scandinavia to the heart of Texas.

The latest information, results, and standings throughout the 2025/2026 season can be found here.

På tur til Tyskland med Hannoveraner Avlsforeningen i Danmark

Hvis ikke du har fulgt med på Instagram og Facebook i weekenden kan du fange op med de forskellige opslag her.

Klik på fotoet herunder for at se alle Instagram stories fra weekend ⬇️⬇️

Endnu en clinic dag med Cathrine og Kyra

PRESSEMEDDELELSE

Vi udvider med en ekstra clinic!

Vi blev blæst fuldstændig bagover, da vi onsdag åbnede billetsalget til clinic med Kyra Kyrklund og Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. På kort tid var alt udsolgt - og vi ved, at mange af jer stod tilbage skuffede over ikke at nå at få en billet.

Derfor har vi arbejdet på højtryk for at finde en løsning og nu kan vi endelig dele de gode nyheder: Vi udvider med en ekstra dag!

Lørdag den 8. november kl. 10.00 – 14.30 får endnu flere muligheden for at opleve Kyra og Cathrine på Slangerupgaard når vi igen sætter 500 billetter til salg.

⏰ Billetsalget åbner i morgen, mandag den 6. oktober kl. 18.00.
👉 Billetterne frigives automatisk præcis på klokkeslættet. Ved det første billetsalg stod der hurtigt “udsolgt”, men løbende blev billetter frigivet igen, når reservationer udløb efter 10 minutter. Derfor kan det betale sig at opdatere siden, selv hvis der står udsolgt i starten.

ℹ️ Bemærk: Dem, der har tilmeldt sig ventelisten til fredagens clinic, får 𝙄𝙆𝙆𝙀 fordele i dette billetsalg - alle starter lige, når billetsystemet åbner.

Læs mere om clinic’en her - https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01K6T18JCNRX2RBJZD23WY8H7V_2

PODCAST - Besøg hos Vestervang By JuMa (Julie Kruse Hansen og Martin Klavsen)

Kirsten Svendsen, Martin Klavsen og Julie Kruse Hansen viser de førsteklasses hestefaciliteter frem på ejendommen i Bredsten - foto: H2R

Vestervang by JuMa er en dugfrisk ny forretning med Julie Kruse Hansen og Martin Klavsen i spidsen.

På ejendommen som er placeret i Bredsten, beliggende ca 10 min fra det gamle Blue Hors, har parret lejet sig ind i førsteklasses hestefaciliteter. Ejendommen har tidligere været ejet af Blue Hors, og været anvendt til ungheste, så ombygningen fra kvæggård til hestefaciliteter har Martin Klavsen oprindelig selv været en del af.

Der er allerede en del heste på stedet som tæller alt fra avlshopper med føl ved siden, unge hopper, unghingste samt et par rideheste. Et mix af egne, nuværende samarbejdspartnere samt nye kunder. Alle hestene under samme tag i en kæmpe isoleret hal, med masser plads, adgang til wrap 24/7 samt fri adgang til store solidt hegnede græsfolde, med fast bund helt ind til stalden samt frostfrie vandkopper overalt. Der er tænkt logistik, detaljer og miljø for både heste og de folk som skal have deres dagligdag på stedet.

Nyt staldafsnit bliver renoveret og etableret i løbet af kort tid, som skal være til hopper der skal have føl i foråret.

Udover Julie og Martin som har det daglige overblik og ansvar, er Martin´s mor Kirsten også flyttet ind på ejendommen, og kan når det er nødvendigt træde til som en del af teamet. Martin´s mor har gennem en lang årrække, jo været en del af avlssuccessen fra Vestervang, som hun drev sammen med Martins far der desværre gik bort sidste år.

Lyt med fra vores snak omkring kaffebordet 🎧⬇️

Tøv ikke med at kontakte enten Julie (Vestervang by JuMa Instagram) eller Martin (mobil 29120509) for at høre mere om konceptet for din hest.

550.000 euro top prices at Klosterhof Medingen auction 3 year old mare by Total McLaren / Fürst Romancier sold to Germany

This is a TOP mare

Top price for top mare. From the video, live presentation and auction this is just an outstanding mare. Can´t wait to see which German rider will be in the saddle for the furture. Ones again Total McLaren with a top offspring.

The Hanoverian premium candidate Tainted Love was the winning mare at the mare show in Fehrenbötel in 2025, class winner and final ring mare at the Herwart v.d. Decken show, and awarded with the 1a prize. The guest rider in the mare test gave her a 10.0. Tainted Love was fourth at the Hanoverian Championships and is nominated for the Bundeschampionat. An exceptional mare who is second to none.

Top price foals:

Here you find the full results.

En drøm er gået i opfyldelse for Sara Hyrm med Atterupgaards Cooper

Debut Grand Prix vinder foto (privat)

11-årige Atterupgaards Cooper e. Charmeur/Gribaldi (mor er Atterupgaards Orthilia) og Sara Hyrm vinder deres senior Grand Prix debut i dag i Solrød med 70,657%.

Efter sommerens kæmpe succes til EM for U25, hvor parret vandt både individuel bronze og individuel sølv, har den stået på træning frem mod dagens senior Grand Prix debut.

Parret har allerede haft en flot karriere sammen, startende i Young Rider i 2022 hvor de var på EM holdet i Hartpury, og siden 2023 startet international U25 med EM i både Ungarn i 2023, EM i Østrig i 2024 og så medaljerne i sommer i tyske Kronberg.

Et kig på dagens detaljeret pointgivning viser en super stabil tur med gode kvaliteter, dog med et lille pointmæssigt bump ved changement mellem pirouetterne, hvor Sara forklarede efterfølgende, at de havde øvet linien i Grand Prix Special, som dermed gav et par ekstra changementer, som jo først skal bruges imorgen, som Sara fortæller med et smil. “Jeg er super stolt af Cooper, han var så sej derinde i dag. Jeg kan virkelig mærke hvor meget han har udviklet sig,” siger Sara.

Udover selvfølgelig det nye bedømmelsessystem, er der også blevet indført en halv volte efter den sidste frie trav, inden der vendes ad midten til afsluttende passage/piaffe/passage tur.

Camilla Lærke Stubberup og Francisca-D tager international dobbelt sejr i Hagen

Sammen med den 8-årige Francisca-D e. Franklin / Romanov (avlet af Jørgen Dam) har Camilla Lærke Stubberup vundet både Prix St. Georg og Intermediaire I til det internationale stævne i Hagen.

Ekvipagen leverede to næsten fejlfrie tur, i det der alene indsniger sig en lille samlet bag i dagens toer serie. Generelt rider Camilla med flot overblik, fine kvaliteter, god balance og energi hele vejen i begge ture. Et overordnet harmonisk billede.

Parret debuterede tidligere på året, internationalt til stævnet i Herning tilbage i marts, med to gange placeret som nr. 4 og i maj med to gange placeret som nr. 3 internationalt i Ålborg.

2025 edition of Madrid Horse Week cancelled

FEI Press Release
Lausanne (SUI), 26 September 2025

The Jumping and Dressage legs of the FEI World Cup™ Western European Leagues will not be held in Madrid in 2025, as the Organisers have announced that Madrid Horse Week, originally scheduled from 28 to 30 November, will not take place this year.

This decision follows the delayed renewal of the Event of Exceptional Public Interest (AEIP) designation, a government-supported framework that has for nearly a decade provided valuable support for the event’s organisation and funding. 

Due to the timing of this administrative process, the 2025 edition could not be confirmed, a factor entirely beyond the Organiser's control. 

“While we regret not being able to stage the 2025 edition, our focus remains firmly on the future of Madrid Horse Week,” President of the Organising Committee Daniel Entrecanales said.

“Over the past ten years, the event has delivered significant sporting, cultural, social and economic benefits to the city of Madrid. With the continued support of our institutional partners, sponsors and the equestrian community, we are confident about the editions to come.

“This pause gives us the opportunity to plan ahead, return stronger with fresh ideas, and bring our trademark enthusiasm to future editions. We look forward to sharing positive news soon.”

Since its launch in 2012, Madrid Horse Week has grown to become Spain’s leading indoor equestrian event and a highlight on the international calendar. Over the years, it has brought equestrian sport closer to thousands of spectators, delivered notable cultural and economic benefits to the city, and strengthened Madrid’s reputation as a global centre for equestrian excellence. 

“Madrid Horse Week is an important fixture on the international calendar, and while its cancellation in 2025 is disappointing for all involved, especially the Organiser and the athletes, we recognise the Organising Committee’s commitment to the long-term future of the event,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“The Spanish Equestrian Federation and local institutions have also emphasised the importance of maintaining the FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Dressage legs in Madrid.”

Exclusive clinic with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Kyra Kyrklund

On Friday, November 7, 2025, Slangerupgaard will set the stage for a very special event in Danish dressage. Laudrup & Dufour are the organizers when Kyra Kyrklund and Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, for the very first time in Denmark, join forces on stage as hosts of a joint clinic.

Both riders have established themselves as strong profiles on the international dressage scene – Kyra as a legendary rider, trainer, and mentor for decades, and Cathrine as one of today’s absolute leading riders with an impressive international record. Together, they will give the audience a unique opportunity to experience two generations of knowledge and inspiration united in one evening.

The program begins with a conversation between Kyra and Cathrine about riding, training, and the development of dressage. This is followed by practical sessions with horses at different levels – from young horses to established top horses. Some will be trained from the ground, while Cathrine will be in the saddle on others.

The event also includes a one-hour break, where the audience can visit partner stands and purchase food and drinks.

With this clinic, the Danish dressage audience is given a rare chance to experience two of the sport’s most influential figures together – an evening that combines theory and practice.

Ticket sales open Wednesday, October 1, at 18:00 – and tickets are limited.

Read more here:
https://www.billetsalg.dk/Event/Clinic%20med%20Kyra%20Kyrklund%20og%20Cathrine%20Laudrup-Dufour/9188

CDI Covalliero Dressage Days Hagen started today with Grand Prix

Dieudonné & Raphael Netz winner of CDI3 Grand Prix today with Person Best score 72,130%

CDI at Hagen started today with 24 starters in Grand Prix

Last time Raphael showed his 12-year old Dieudonné was end of May in München. Today they were back with a very nice performance and also at PB Grand Prix score of 72,130%. The overall picture is ease, lightness and obedience. Clearly improved timing and more relaxation through out the entire test.

Good halt, soft power diagonal, well balanced soft half passes, good halt with super rein back, nice diagonal, good into passage, takes a few steps to catch balance for super nice piaffe, easy transitions, good walk tour, easy into passage, nice 2nd piaffe tour, well managed, nice into canter, nice 2 times, good extended canter, tense into change looking, bit tense zigzag, bit swing 1 times, super easy sit balanced pirouettes, change bit tense, smooth into trot, soft diagonal with power, good final centerline, coming easy from big passage to piaffe without any issues, nice transitions, good halt.

Placed 2nd today the most beautiful Soiree d´Amour with Carina Scholz in the saddle. It is not the most obvious Grand Prix horse, but determination and targeted work has brought this pair solid into the international Grand Prix sport, today with 70,739%.

Placed from 3 to 6 with 69%

Only details from the judges made the differences for the next placed riders today. Frederic Wandres showed Verrenberg, 9-year old gelding by Vilancio / Johnson. They made their international debut at CDI-W i Brno. Overall nice expression and suppleness, still with some green moments for the piaffe/passage and pirouettes, but all the way with positive easy flow. 69,630%

Drombusch and Felicitas Hendricks are a strong combination with good experience at Grand Prix level. It is nice to watch and the performance does look easy and effortless. 69,413%

New international combination is Forever Young HRH with Lyndal Oatley. They already look like a very harmonious pair. No doubt both horse and rider knows the route. Tiny timing issues, but overall very nice picture and nothing look difficult. Look like a real Lyndal horse. 69,326%

“I need to learn her in the ring, as it’s no where near what I’m getting at home or in the warm up. I know this part would be the challenge, so I ride with no expectations and just wanting to learn how to prepare her in the test, but it’s fun to be back in the ring and develop our partnership. And I love her dearly,” Lyndal tells after their debut together.

New at Grand Prix level was Danish Amalie Albæk with Harmony´s Zomancier finishing as no 10 with 68,239%. Amalie has since July 2024 been part of Michael Klimke team. “It’s a big dream come true today. I can’t wait to see what the future holds! I’m incredibly grateful to be part of Team Klimke and for the opportunities the team and family are giving me”, writes Amalie on her Facebook profile.

Here you find the entire results.

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