Von Bredow-Werndl Wins the "Lovsta Top 10" at the 2023 CDI 5* Stockholm

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2023 CDI Stockholm

Ruling European and Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won the "Lovsta Top 10" 5* CDI dressage competition in Stockholm, Sweden, on 1 - 3 December 2023.

The CDI 5* Stockholm is an invitational competition to which the FEI World Ranking top 10 riders are invited, in principle. Some decline, some don't get invited and the field is then filled up with those who accepts or are lucky to well connected.

The invitational was first sponsored by Saab, but dressage lover maecenas Antonia Ax:son Johnson took over the patronage two years ago.

Werndl Number One

After claiming a triple win at the European Championships in Riesenbeck in September, Von Bredow-Werndl withstood the pressure and repeated last year’s double win in Stockholm, securing the victory in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle. Aboard the 16-year old Trakehner mare Dalera BB (by Easy Game x Handryk), the pair danced to a 82.087% in the Grand Prix and 90.295% in the Kur.

"I had a better feeling than yesterday. The entrance at halt was much better, the changes were really good and I just had a hiccup in one extended trot. But all in all she felt really good," Jessica von Bredow-Werndl commented. "I really want to thank Lövsta for making this happen, it's a fantastic show and we hope to be back next year."

Personal Best Weekend

For 2023 European Championship silver medallists Nanna Skodborg Merrald and the 15-year old Oldenburg gelding Blue Hors Zepter (by Zack x Wolkentanz II) it was a weekend of personal bests. She scored new record marks in the Grand Prix (80.000%) and Kur to Music (89.625%).

"I’m over the moon about today’s feeling," said Nanna after the Kur. "Zepter gave everything he could, and it was such a pleasure to be a part of Lövsta Top 10."

Merrald has been training with Michael Sogaard since her pony time. She has been riding for Blue Hors since 2018 and is one of just two riders who will their retain their employment with the Danish Kirk Kristiansen family after Blue Hors closes its doors in April 2024. She and her assistant Sophia Ludvigsen are the only two who will move to Stutteri ASK, the smaller private yard of the family on Fyn.

Emilio Instead of Quantaz

German Isabell Werth was entered for the CDI Stockholm with her number one in the barn, Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer's Quantaz (by Quaterback x Hohenstein), but the horse was swapped for the 17-year old Emilio (by Ehrenpreis x Cacir AA) last minute.

The horse change was not a set back as Isabell finished third twice with 78.717% in the Grand Prix and 87.320% in the freestyle.

The best performing home rider was Swedish Therese Nilshagen and her black stallion Dante Weltino OLD (by Danone x Welt Hit II). They secured two fourth places: 76.543% in the Grand Prix and 87.320% in the Kur.

Pippi of Today

The Lovsta Top 10 riders of 2023 celebrating the
Pippi's of Today

Together with Sweden International Horse Show, Lövsta Stuteri raised funds for Pippi of Today, an initiative by Astrid Lindgren AB in collaboration with Save the Children. The initiative aims to support girls on the move towards a better future.

Pippi of Today was launched in conjunction with Pippi Longstocking's 75th birthday three years ago. Today, millions of children are on the move, more than when Astrid Lindgren wrote the book about Pippi Longstocking at the end of World War II. Since its inception, they have reached over 55,000 girls in 19 countries, but the need is still great, and girls are particularly vulnerable. During the Sweden International Horse Show, the organizers turn to top riders, visitors, and sponsors to collectively support even more girls!

The fundraising, taking place during the Sweden International Horse Show, was initiated by Antonia Ax:son Johnson, owner of Lövsta Stud Farm. With a donation of 50,000 SEK, she hopes to give the campaign a flying start.