Third time lucky for Von Essen as she wins Gothenburg World Cup

Maria von Essen (SWE) and Invoice, winners of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ - Gothenburg (SWE). ©FEI/Kim C Lundin

After finishing second in both 2024 and 2025, it was third time lucky for Maria von Essen (SWE) in Gothenburg, as she claimed her first-ever FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier victory with Invoice, posting a new personal best of 82.645%. She was closely followed by compatriot Patrik Kittel, who finished just 0.7% behind her with Touchdown, while Grand Prix winner Carina Cassøe Krüth (DEN) finished close behind in third place with Heiline’s Danciera.

The Scandinavium arena was well filled with spectators eager to support their home favourites, and they were rewarded with a Swedish one-two on home soil.

A Freestyle on fire

Von Essen and Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst) had already delivered a solid Grand Prix on Friday, although the gelding was still somewhat restrained. In the Freestyle, however, he showed his full potential, excelling in the most collected movements. Their Les Misérables Freestyle suited Invoice perfectly, with expressive piaffe and passage work and tempi changes executed precisely on the beat.

“Invoice was magical! He was magical! He was with me all the way, even though there was a huge crowd today. Also this music gives me goosebumps all the time. I almost had to cry,” said Von Essen.

Kittel close behind

Always a crowd favourite, especially on home soil, Patrik Kittel was the first of the top three combinations to enter the arena and delivered a strong Freestyle. Riding his 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup™ winner Touchdown (owned by Sommarkvarn AB), he scored 81.920%. The test was faultless and well matched to the music, although Touchdown could have shown more carrying power in the piaffe. After today, Kittel sits in second place in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings.

“It was amazing to go in there today. I’ve ridden in Gothenburg for many years. I got a lot of applause when I came in and Touchdown got quite excited. We had small things in the canter tour, but it was a fantastic test. It was Dressage at its best today. Dressage is alive,” Kittel said.

Krüth confirms her form

Friday’s Grand Prix winner Carina Cassøe Krüth finished third with Heiline’s Danciera (owned by Poul Thørgensen). The experienced pair once again delivered a confident and balanced Freestyle.

“We had some small mistakes today, so I can live with our third place. But we are in a good position in the World Cup standings, and if we have enough points, I will definitely go to the Final,” said Krüth.

Danish strength in depth

Fourth, fifth and sixth place were all claimed by Danish combinations, underlining the nation’s strong presence in Gothenburg. Sara Aagaard Hyrm (DEN) and Atterupgaards Cooper (owned by the athlete, Gitte Aagaard Hyrm and Jesper Hyrm) finished fourth on 75.050%. After early tension, they settled well and delivered a faultless performance.

Cecilie Dybro Jensen (DEN) and Zagori (owned by Sdr. Vejrbakken’s Beslagsmedie) produced a tidy Freestyle, while Anna Zibrandtsen (DEN) and the experienced Quel Filou (owned by Bregnerøgård ApS) scored 74.245% despite two mistakes.

All eyes on ’s-Hertogenbosch

The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier, and the final leg of the Western European League, will take place in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) on 13 and 14 March, where the final qualification places for the Final will be decided. So don’t miss a hoofbeat!

FULL RESULTS

16 - 19 April Fontainbleau France one of only two CDIO5* competitions this season

LE PRINTEMPS DES SPORTS ÉQUESTRES TWO MONTHS UNTIL A HISTORIC FIFTH EDITION!

Part of press release

In 2026, Le Printemps des Sports Équestres will evolve significantly. For its fifth edition, the event will take place over two weeks at the legendary Grand Parquet in Fontainebleau. The first week, from 16th to 19th April, will focus solely on dressage and will host the CDIO5* Officiel de France, one of only two CDIO5* competitions in the world this season, along with Falsterbo in Sweden. Alongside this FEI Nations Cup, many international labels will be on offer, bringing all of the dressage world together. The second week of competition, from 22nd to 26th April, will showcase show jumping, in particular the CSI 5* and the Master Pro FFE Championships. Two disciplines, two major events, one destination. In exactly two months' time, Le Printemps des Sports Équestres will bring together the world's equestrian elite for a fortnight.

Dressage riders will take centre stage from 16th to 19th April.

Le Printemps des Sports Équestres will host the CDIO5* de France for the first time, a major new feature of the 2026 edition. This team competition represents the highest level of international dressage. With just a few months to go before the FEI World Championships in Aachen, it's highly likely that the discipline’s leading nations will select their best combinations to shine in this FEI Nations Cup, which will boast the same format as the one used this summer. This event will be a unique opportunity for spectators to admire some of the world's best riders and horses. "We are proud of the trust placed in us by the French Equestrian Federation and the Fédération Équestre Internationale by awarding us the organisation of the Officiel de France for dressage. I would like to thank them for this once again. We look forward to hosting so many incredible combinations at the Grand Parquet’s arenas in a few weeks' time and are delighted to be able to offer spectators an event which is free of charge and open to everyone,” explains Sylvie Robert, President of GL events Equestrian Sport.

In keeping with tradition, GL events Equestrian Sport aims to bring together all dressage enthusiasts around this flagship competition. Many international labels will also be on offer. For example, a CDI3*, a CDI1* and a CDIYH reserved for young horses, for combinations on their way to the highest level. The CDIP will host pony riders, and the CDICh, CDIJ, CDIY and CDIU25 will bring together riders in the youth categories.

Belgian dominance in Neumünster as Pauluis leads the way

Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau at the FEI Dressage World CupTM 2026 leg in  Neumünster. © FEI/Stefan Lafrentz

Belgian Dressage dominated at the Neumünster (GER) leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League, claiming the top two places on the podium as Larissa Pauluis (BEL) and Flambeau secured victory with a personal best.

It was a second win of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season for the pair, while fellow Belgian Justin Verboomen finished runner-up with Djembe De Hus OLD. Third place went to João Pedro Moreira (POR) and his elegant Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD.

The podium repeated that of the Mechelen (BEL) qualifier in late December. In Neumünster, however, victory in the Grand Prix went to Verboomen and Djembe De Hus OLD (owned by S.A.R.L. Haras de Hus), a combination that showed further improvement following Mechelen.

The best home result on the day in Germany came from Raphael Netz (GER) and Great Escape Camelot, who finished fourth. Following Pauluis’ victory, Netz has now relinquished his leading position in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings to the Belgian athlete.

Flambeau thrives in Neumünster

Pauluis and Flambeau (owned by Marie Christine and Jean Pauluis, Caroline and Emmanuelle Lepage) rose to the occasion in the Freestyle with 84.015%, comfortably improving on the personal best they had set in Mechelen.

Entering the arena, she knew she had to better Verboomen’s 81.985% to reach the top of the podium. She had placed second in Saturday’s Grand Prix, but having previously scored higher than Verboomen’s near-82%, she knew an opportunity remained. Encouragingly, Flambeau had already delivered good performances in Neumünster’s Holstenhallen at the event’s previous two editions.

"I think Flambeau likes this show a lot. He is very relaxed in this arena. Today he was really with me, and showed some very expressive piaffe and passage. We really connected in the right way." 

 

Larissa Pauluis
(BEL) 

These piaffes and passages were rewarded with multiple nines and tens from the judges, as were Pauluis’ halts. She laughed about that afterwards: “I’m very happy with that, because it’s only in the last few months that I’ve managed to get him to halt square!”

Powerhouse versus lightness

The contrast between first and second place was striking: the lightness and elegance of Verboomen and Djembe De Hus OLD versus Flambeau, Pauluis’ powerful partner. Some tension in the walk cost Verboomen valuable points in the Freestyle.

“Even before I entered the arena today, I knew that the walk would be the tricky part,” Verboomen explained. “The atmosphere and enthusiasm of the crowd here are fantastic, but he did react to it. I tried to keep him with me in the walk, but that only worked too late.”

When asked about his future plans with the light-footed chestnut, Verboomen remained cautious: “We’ll see how things go. As many people already know, Djembe is for sale, so I don’t really dare to make plans.”

Moreira puts his trust in Fürst Kennedy

The competition in Neumünster remained exciting until the very end. As the final starters, Moreira and Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD (owned by Roberto Pedrosa, Haras do Drosa) knew they needed a new personal best to secure a place in the top three. The pair are a pleasure to watch, and Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD is a horse with enormous talent for the collected work. Showing excellent pirouettes and a strong extended trot, they delivered just that, scoring a new personal best of 81.080% to claim third place.

“Yesterday in the Grand Prix, Kennedy already felt good, but unfortunately we had a big mistake on our last line,” said Moreira. “Today I wanted to deliver a clean and nice test. I have a lot of trust in Kennedy, he is really a wonderful horse.”

It was Moreira’s first appearance in Neumünster, despite living relatively nearby. “We only started looking at our plans for this year after Mechelen, and this fitted well,” he said. “Maybe we’ll also ride the qualifier in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED). Today I was very happy with him. Kennedy is still relatively young and stayed very much with me, and the frame was better than yesterday. He felt absolutely fresh and confident.”

Youth on the rise

While the top three featured more established names, this FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier also highlighted the strong emergence of young talent.

Netz, 26, who has already been competing at senior level for some time and finished fifth at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 in Riyadh (KSA), placed fourth with Great Escape Camelot (owned by Theres Boss, Sonja Kristina Krall) on 80.940%. He guided the sensitive Camelot with great feel through their test, with the passages proving a real highlight.

Moritz Treffinger, the 22-year-old German, finished in fifth on a score of 78.365% with Fiderdance (owned by Gestüt Bonhomme). The precise young German won over the crowd with his energetic Freestyle, his intense concentration clearly visible.

Another 22-year-old, Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN), delivered two solid tests in his FEI Dressage World Cup™ debut with Inspiration PF (owned by Helgstrand Dressage A/S, Patrik Kittel). In his Coldplay-themed Freestyle, he produced a faultless performance and even included a beautifully executed 360-degree piaffe pirouette at the end. The pair finished sixth with a new personal best of 77.430%.

“It was great to see so many young, upcoming riders performing so well today,” noted ground jury president Francis Verbeek (NED).

Pauluis looks ahead

While Pauluis is now top of the Western European League standings, she said she is undecided as to whether she will aim for the Final in Fort Worth (USA).

“I really enjoyed our ride today, it was a pleasure to ride. And when I can enjoy the ride, it usually means the picture is also beautiful,” Pauluis said. “Because of the long journey, I’m not yet sure whether we will go to the Final. Our main focus this year is with the Belgian team, as we want to qualify directly for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 at the FEI Dressage World Championship 2026 in Aachen – that is our main goal.”

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ season continues next week with the penultimate qualifier in Gothenburg (SWE) on 20–21 February – so don’t miss a hoofbeat.

FULL RESULTS

Justin Verboomen and Djembe de Hus OLD takes the World Cup Grand Prix today in Neumünster

Justin Verboomen at the prizegiving - photo: screenshot / Clipmyhorse

World Cup Grand Prix Neumünster

The German spectators where ready this morning for the Grand Prix, not packed but still fairly crowded in the legendary Neumünster arena.

Justin Verboomen just bringing his excellent riding into the arena again today. 11 year old Djembe de Hus with great qualities and for some moments you might wish for a bit more, but no doubt that Justin´s mission seems to be completed showing an error free test, and at the same time gaining valuable confidence for Djembe in the very small arena.

Super halt, bit conservative diagonal (goes to toilet), supple uphill half pass right, left missing bit more bending, good halt bit tense rein back, good balanced diagonal, nice into passage, super passage of the ground, easy into super active piaffe at the spot, bit tension out, good passage, nice into walk, good extended walk long neck still connection, good collected walk, good into passage, super passage, bit forward (goes to toilet) piaffe, good out, nice passage, nice into canter, nice 2 times, good extension, missing bit more collection for zigzag, good 1 times, super 1st pirouette, good 2nd, good into trot, nice diagonal, nice into passage, bit tense hind into piaffe, good piaffe, nice out, super final passage, good halt.

Again today Justin was followed by countryman Larissa Pauluis with Flambeau, showing new PB Grand Prix test with 74,196%

Good halt, good diagonal, well balanced half passes, bit early halt but super nice, power diagonal, sharp into passage at V, nice passage, nice beat and regularity for piaffe with good sit, easy transitions, good passage, good extended walk, nice contact and stretch of neck, good collected walk, nice into passage, tiny forward trend piaffe, easy transitions, good passage, nice into canter, nice big 2 times, super extended canter becomes bigger and supple, nice change, good zigzag, good 1 times tiny swing, bit big but nice quality 1st pirouette, 2nd missing bit more canter, nice into trot, supple soft diagonal, strong final centerline push the neck bit up, nice halt.

Germany´s Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot also showed a strong and new PB performance with very nice harmony. 73,587%

Super halt, direct forward, good diagonal, smooth go balanced half passes uphill, nice halt with rein back, good diagonal, super into passage, nice passage active of the ground, good piaffe bit high hind, good transitions, nice passage, good extended walk could show bit more let go, nice collected walk, sharp into passage, good passage, same 2nd piaffe bit high hind, good transitions, good passage, nice into canter, good 2 times, good extended canter, good zigzag, good 1 times bit tension, super control and balance 1st pirouette, missing tiny balance but still very nice 2nd pirouette, good into trot, nice diagonal, super nice final centerline, super timing, nice halt.

Both Joao Moreira with Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD (placed 4th) and Moritz Treffinger with Fiderdance (placed 5th) showed very harmonious performances. Fürst Kennedy looked a bit affected by the small arena, but well managed all the way, and Fiderdance with a few minor tensions, but still showing a strong performance.

Harmony

Today, it wasn’t only the top combinations who demonstrated true harmony. Across the board, partnerships were clearly visible and reflected by harmonious performances with ex super nice contact. Even though the intense atmosphere in the small arena made an impact on some of the horses today.

No doubt the way Justin is able to show his horses, also brings both ambitions and positive wibes to the entire sport, including of course top boost for Belgium dressage.

Here you find the entire results from World Cup Grand Prix.

PRESS RELEASE – CDI Lier 2026 welcomes Olympic riders in a promising dressage year

Belgium is preparing for a remarkable year in dressage. After a season that entered the history books, Belgium Dressage Events looks ahead to 2026 with three international events at the Azelhof Equestrian Center in Lier: CDI Lier, CDIO Lier and the Belgian Dressage Championships. The entries for CDI Lier, taking place from February 24 to March 1, already look very promising, featuring numerous Olympic riders.

Belgian dressage experienced absolute highlights over the past year. The historic victory of the Belgian team in the Nations Cup on home soil during CDIO Lier created unprecedented excitement, as did Justin Verboomen’s achievement last summer when he captured Belgium’s very first individual European gold medal. These accomplishments form the foundation for an ambitious 2026. Although Justin Verboomen will not compete at CDI Lier, he will present a special show on Saturday evening, with more details to be announced soon.

From 4* to Youth

The season in Lier opens with the ninth edition of CDI Lier, from February 24 to March 1, 2026. The competition offers classes at CDI 4*, 3* and 1* level, as well as international youth divisions, and has developed in recent years into a permanent fixture on the international calendar. For many combinations, the event serves as an important early-season preparation competition.

Olympians set to compete in Lier

The strong and international entry list confirms this status. Several Olympic riders will compete in Lier, including Larissa Pauluis, Ingrid Klimke, Lyndal Oatley, Jorinde Verwimp, Anabel Balkenhol, Charlotte Dujardin, Laura Tomlinson, Yessin Rahmouni, Imke Schellekens-Bartels, Severo Jurado Lopez and Juan Antonio Jiminez Cobo. Luxembourg’s Nicolas Wagner Ehlinger, who made a tremendous impression during the World Cup leg at Jumping Amsterdam, will also travel to Lier. In total, more than 100 senior combinations from Australia to Thailand will line up to compete. The latter is no surprise, as CDI Lier serves as a qualifying event for the Asian Games.

Preparation for the World Championships in Aachen

The year 2026 revolves around the World Championships in Aachen, making CDI Lier an ideal benchmark competition for riders aiming to test their form ahead of the championships. “CDI Lier fits perfectly into that preparation,” says chairman Wim Verwimp, who will also compete in the 4* division.

For Belgium’s Olympic combination Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau, CDI Lier is also an important step in building up the season, after continuing their training steadily following their World Cup victory in Mechelen. “Flambeau keeps improving and is in top condition,” says Belgium’s leading dressage rider of the moment.

“The facilities in Lier are outstanding”

“I feel that the trip to the World Cup Final in Texas would be too demanding for my horse. That is why I prefer to focus on qualifications and strong competitions here in Europe and, of course, on the World Championships in Aachen. In addition to aiming for the highest possible individual placing, I hope for a top six finish with the Belgian team as qualification for the Olympic Games. CDI Lier is a fantastic show where I truly enjoy competing. Besides Flambeau in the Grand Prix, I will also bring two young horses for training. The facilities in Lier are outstanding and provide them with a great opportunity to gain experience,” says Larissa Pauluis.

For the programme, starting lists, results and tickets:

www.belgiumdressageevents.be

Premiere: First Oldenburg Stallion Show on 8 March 2026 in Vechta

PRESS RELEASE

With the Oldenburg Stallion Show, the Oldenburg Association will be hosting its own stallion presentation for the first time at the Oldenburg Horse Centre in Vechta on 8 March 2026. The event will begin at 2 p.m. and admission is free.

The stallion show will feature on numerous jumping and dressage stallions of all breeds, presented by various renowned stallion stations. The event offers breeders, equestrian professionals and interested visitors a comprehensive overview of current stallion lines as well as sporting developments and prospects.

The Oldenburg Horse Centre will open its stables in advance of the stallion show: during the morning get-together from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to get to know the stallions up close and exchange ideas in personal conversations with breeders and representatives of the stallion stations.

With the Oldenburg Stallion Show being held for the first time, the Oldenburg Association is creating a new platform for information, exchange and presentation relating to breeding and sport, thereby expanding its event portfolio at the Vechta location.

Highlights from Helgstrand & Schockmöhle stallion show in Verden Friday evening

H2R top with the look of Grand Prix

3 year old Galant by Glamdale WP / Foundation - brings the full package including marked GP. Uphill, supple, super look and for a 3 yr old under saddle top walk.

3 year old Follower by Follow Him´s Schönweide / De Kooning - very rideable, uphill, with super nice self carriage and balance including three really quality paces.

7 year old Viva Vitalis by Vitalis / Fürst Romancier - brings natural softness with the ability to growing natural bigger. Really nice movements even though he showed some tensions for the canter tonight.

Other highlights

7 year old One to Remember by Secret / Vivaldi - brings super interesting blood combination. He is super well moving in all three gaits including top walk. Very strong body wise. Whether he has the last power and ability for GP only the time will show.

4 year old Independent by Ibiza / De Niro - super nice angle from behind with nice natural carriage under the body steps. Look like a sensitive boy, and super interesting with Werth on the ground repeating pruuuuhhhh more times, which also made the overall picture much more balanced and relaxed during the presentation.

7 year old Feinsten by Franklin / Rock Forever / Florestan - huge talent for piaffe & passage, easy travelling in and out with lot of expression, quality canter work while walk has to be “nursed” for. Here you get the combination of Franklin with plus/minus, combined with suppleness/more weak top line and not least rideability from Florestan. This makes a strong horse, with enough suppleness and mindset to performe.

3 year old Epic Zone PS by Escanto PS / Secret - same strong dam line as Grey Tonic. Natural uphill balanced stallion, lacking bit more relaxation for the walk, but still one to keep an eye on.

4 year old Daan G by Donkey Boss / Don Olymbrio L - huge development, fresh, powerful, square and compact stallion with super basic gaits.

6 year old Proud James by Jameson RS2 / Johnson - this stallion clearly brings the quickness and uphill tendency. As Werth has just been shortly in the saddle, her playing education was already part of their new partnership.

WERTH IN THE SADDLE

We are not familar with Werth in the saddle for stallion shows, but yesterday she showed three very different stallions Be Sure, Feinsten and Proud James. The way she is just playing with the most difficult exercises where the horses look as if they never really get the feeling of how difficult it actually is - this was a true masterclass from Mrs Werth.

EQUILANNOO Muscle Plus 15 kg. tilskudsfoder til muskelopbygning

Results 2-days stallion performance test Vechta

Two days of stallion performance test with some nice stallions for the future.

The big winner was Damil Dressage with two well presented stallions. Top score became Valerian with 8,87 while Vespasiano (H2R favourite) ended with 8,52.

Unfortunately former Westphalian champion Vuelta did not really cope with the environment and the owner choose wisely not to finish the testing this time. Still a super attractive stallion to follow.

SICAB dates confirmed 17 - 22 November 2026

PRESS RELEASE

SICAB 2026 will open its gates from the 17th to the 22nd of November, at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones (FIBES Fair Grounds & Convention Center) in Sevilla.

This International Purebred Spanish Horse Trade Fair will also host the World PRE Horse Championship. This will be the 36th edition, which consolidates SICAB as the main international point of reference for Purebred Spanish Horses. 

With the official dates confirmed, ANCCE will begin organizing a new edition to guarantee that SICAB 2026 maintains its relevance on the international equestrian calendar while at the same time being a reference from the standpoint of sports, culture and society. 

As the organizational details unfold, we will keep you informed on all official ANCCE and SICAB channels.  

Reserve these dates on your calendar!!

Results Verdener Auktion Online - riding horses - January 2026

Here you find all results.

Part of HANN press release

Verden. The head number one of the new Verden auction year also set the benchmark for the top price. Tobitha was sold for 54,500 euros in the online auction. The average price for the 61 young horses was 15,869 euros.

The "first best" opportunity of the new year to secure a highly talented dressage horse at the beginning of its career was head number one, the Toto Jr./Fürst Heinrich daughter Tobitha (breeder and exhibitor: Jan Crome-Sperling, Lutter). The jet-black dressage gem had already impressively demonstrated her extraordinary talents with victories in riding horse tests. Just 14 days ago, her half-brother by Extra Gold was licensed for the DSP in Neustadt/Dosse. A buyer from Lower Saxony did not miss this opportunity and purchased the four-year-old for  54,500 euros after a bidding duel with interested parties from France.

Traditionen tro åbner Esbjerg og Omegnsrideklub for årets første landsstævne

Et tæt pakket program fra Esbjerg med fuld livestreaming via Clipmyhorse, vidner om at rytterne gerne vil ud at teste formen i starten af det nye år.

Livestreaming

Muligheden for at kunne følge med via livestreaming, eller efterfølgende at kunne følge op er virkelig helt specielt når vi snakker nationale stævner i Danmark. Langt fra alle som er interesseret i sporten har mulighed for at køre til Esbjerg for at følge med fra sidelinien, og her er livestreaming en enestående mulighed.

Man kunne håbe at de klubber som måske overvejer muligheden, ville tage skridtet. Er sikker på de ansvarlige i Esbjerg vil kunne fortæller præcis hvad det kræver og koster i samme setup.

EQUILANNOO Active Mix 20 kg. hestefoder uden havre

©Horse2rider.com • horse2rider.com@gmail.com