Weekend of Comebacks - Part 2: Famoso and Mount St John Freestyle

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Germany

The weekend of 3 - 5 November 2023 has been one of come backs of a few renowned international riders and horses. At the Central European League World Cup qualifier in Motesice, Simone Pearce returned with Destano, while Finnish Terhi Stegars returned after a four-year break.

At national shows in Germany and Denmark two of the world's highest scoring dressage horses resurfaced. Benjamin Werndl came back with Famoso after a break due to injury and Cathrine Dufour debuted with Freestyle.

Famoso OLD

Benjamin Werndl and Flora Keller's 14-year old Oldenburg Famoso (by Farewell III x Welt Hit II) missed out on the majority of the 2023 show season due to an injury. After the CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch in March 2023, the pair pulled out from the first German team selection trial in Balve and missed out on the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck.

The duo made its come back at the CDN Ising on 4 November and posted a winning 76,867%. "I can't be happier and more grateful that we are back dancing in the arena together," Werndl took to Instagram.

At the 2022 World Championships in Herning, Werndl and Famoso finished fifth in the Special and fourth in the Kur.

Mount St. John Freestyle

Less than four months after becoming a pair, Cathrine Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle (by Fidermark x Donnerhall) premiered in the national show ring in Denmark.

At Heslegård Sportsrideklub the duo rode their first Grand Prix test together and scored 76,767%. Three judges assessed the test and their individual marks were 74,000% (Leif Törnblad), 77,000% (Jan Olsen) and 79,300% (Charlotte Gluud).

"I guess the smile says it all," Dufour stated. "She was excited, happy and just LOVED being in the ring - it made me so humble to perform with this outstanding girl and I cannot wait to do it again!!! I made a few costly mistakes, but from only haven known her so such a short time, I’m just proud to feel how happy she was to dance with me and grateful that she seemed to love the attention!"

Dufour bought a half-share together with her wife Rasmine Laudrup and business partners, the Zinglersen family. Emma Blundell still owns the other half. The 2024 Paris Olympics are the clear goal.