Strandby Hansen and Dufour Win 2020 Danish Dressage Championships

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2020 Danish Dressage Championships

Under 25 rider Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen and senior Grand Prix rider Cathrine Dufour became the winners of the 2020 Danish Dressage Championships at Grand Prix level, held at Andreas Helgstrand's yard in Uggerhalne, Denmark, on 4 - 6 September 2020.

Traditionally the Danish Nationals take place at the riding club in the beautiful park of Broholm castle, but since 2019 the senior Championship is being hosted in Uggerhalne. This year also the para championships took place there.

From European Gold to National Gold

Coming fresh off winning team bronze and kur gold at the 2020 European Under 25 Championships, Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen stormed to the top and title in the Danish Under 25 Championships aboard Yvonne Losos de Muniz' 15-year old Belgian warmblood gelding Foco Loco W (by Sierappel x Wendekreis). With three out of four team members competing in the nationals (Maja Andreasen and Kano were a no show), the U25 division had just seven pairs in total.

Strandby Hansen left all competition far behind her, winning the Short Grand Prix with 75.605% and the Kur to Music with 79.150%. After European glory, Hansen added the national champion's sash and gold medal to her trophy closet with a 154.755 point total. The 25-year old works as a rider at Helgstrand Dressage and received the ride on Foco Loco in November 2019.

"As I thought it couldn’t be much better, Foco just did amazing in the Short Grand Prix scoring over 75%," Anne-Mette said after the first round. "I love every single ride with this horse and I just try to figure out how to pay him back!"

The silver medal went to Victoria Vallentin aboard the 12-year old Westfalian gelding Brooklyn (by Hogwart (by Holland x Pit I) x Baldini II ), owned by Russian Alexander Lebedev. The pair twice placed second with 73.698% and 77.050% to finish on the silver medal step of the podium with 150.748 points. Josefine Hoffmann and Anna Kasprzak's 16-year old Danish gelding Honnerups Driver (by Romanov x Don Schufro) twice placed third with 72.349% and 74.650% to get the bronze with 145.999 points. The fourth placed rider - Trine Lind on Jubi's Tenacity (by Temptation x Don Schufro) followed in the distance with 136.707 points.

Fourth Title for Dufour

The Senior Championship featured a group of 18 riders of which 13 moved on to the freestyle after the first round. Although some of Denmark's power riders were there for the 2020 edition, the field felt a bit thin at the top with several top Danish riders not there, including team riders Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Anders Dahl, Betina Jaeger and Lone Bang Larsen.

Cathrine Dufour and Cassidy at the 2020 Danish Champions

With Dufour bring her number one in the barn to Uggerhalne, the 17-year old Atterupgaards Cassidy (by Caprimond x Donnerhall), she was the clear favourite for the title and lived up that role. She won the Grand Prix with a whopping 80.000% and topped the board in the freestyle with 87.925%. With a total of 167.925 points she won the gold and her third Grand Prix title in her career, her first one being in 2016, and again in 2017 and 2018.

"What a day at the office," Dufour took to Instagram after the Grand Prix. "Cassidy nailed it today and delivered a top performance scoring 80%. I’m so proud of him - I can’t believe he’s 17 years old and still able to bring the power and suppleness into the ring like he does." After the freestyle, Dufour was visibly moved. " The tears rolled down my face when I was finished the ride. I'm just so moved. For 10 years he has just carried me around. He's just keeps on going," Dufour explained.

The silver medal went to rising star Carina Cassoe Kruth on the 9-year old Danish bred mare Heiline's Danciera (by Furstenball x De Niro). They were second in the Grand Prix with 78.040% and second in the freestyle with 82.450%. They finished on a total of 160.490 points for second place. Andreas Helgstrand and the 10-year old Danish bred mare Fiontini (by Fassbinder x Romanov) placed third with 74.620% and 78.250%. The brand new partnership totalled 152.870 points for bronze.

Results - 2020 Danish Dressage Championships - Uggerhalne

Under 25

1. Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen - Foco Loco W - 75.605 - 79.150 --- 154.755
2. Victoria Vallentin - Brooklyn - 73.698 - 77.050 --- 150.748
3. Josefine Hoffmann - Honnerups Driver - 71.349 - 74.650 --- 145.999
4. Trine Lind - Jubi's Tenacity - 68.907 - 67.800 --- 136.707
5. Sandra Aagaard Hyrm - Heslegards Rismon - 67.279 - 68.975 --- 136.254
6. Emma Skov - Cracker Jack - 65.512- 67.875 --- 133.387
7. Michala Mejlgaard Jensen - Trebiz - 63.837 - 68.600 --- 132.437

Seniors

1. Cathrine Dufour - Atterupgaards Cassidy - 80.000 - 87.925 --- 167.925
2. Carina Cassøe Krüth - Heiline's Danciera - 78.040 - 82.450 --- 160.490
3. Andreas Helgstrand - Fiontini - 74.620 - 78.250 --- 152.870
4. Charlotte Heering - Bufranco - 72.600 - 77.675 --- 150.275
5. Michael Søgaard - Slaebaeksgaard Santino - 70.620 - 75.575 --- 146.195
6. Helene Melsen - Aston Martin - 69.800 - 74.775 --- 144.575
7. Anna Zibrandtsen - Detroit - 68.140 - 73.100 --- 141.240
8. Trine Mittag - Gammelenggards Easy - 68.940 - 71.625 --- 140.565
9. Ditte Mikkelsen - Quite a Look Ovenskov - 66.800 - 71.350 --- 138.150
10. Sanne Svendsen - Hannah Montana W - 68.560 - 66.200 --- 134.760
11. Susanne Møller - Sir James - 66.200 - 68.350 --- 134.550
12. Karoline Louise Skøt - Midtgaards Zamir - 64.620 - 69.000 --- 133.620
13. Line Miller Danielsen - Dakapo - 62.880 - 68.625 --- 131.505