Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour Unstoppable at 2025 CDI-W Herning

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2025 CDI-W Herning

-- FEI press release, edited by Eurodressage

The 2025 Western European World Cup League started with a bang for home-side hero Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (33) and her 16-year-old mare Mount St. John Freestyle as the Danish pair delivered a winning performance at the 2025 CDI-W Herning on 18 October 2025.

The audience rose to their feet in ovation after Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour’s ride in the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle. Over five days, MCH Messecenter Herning hosted the annual international dressage and jumping event during the autumn holidays, and spectators are clearly enjoying the atmosphere inside both the Boxen arena and Hall M.

Fifteen riders competed for valuable points in the global World Cup series, with Herning marking the first qualifier in the Western European League. Cathrine and Mount St. John Freestyle (by Fidermark x Donnerhall) set the bar high, earning her personal best World Cup score in Herning – 90.175%, securing maximum points towards the World Cup standings.

“It’s both terrifying and uplifting to ride through the black curtain and into the Boxen,” said Cathrine after her victory. “The arena was almost full today, and I could really feel the audience’s support. She’s 16 years old and has been to many shows, but to feel her so engaged and ready to perform – that’s truly a gift. She gives everything, every single centimetre around the arena.”

Dufour continued, “in the Grand Prix, Freestyle was sharper than ever! Today in the Freestyle she was more focused but still full of energy and motivation. I just took what she offered. I’m proud that we could ride a fault-free Freestyle, because my floorplan is very tricky.”

Top Three

Swedish rider Patrik Kittel placed second on Touchdown (by Quaterback x Sack) with 81.645%.

“Yesterday he was maybe a bit too fresh, but today everything was back in shape. I was very happy with him,” Kittel said. "The crowd in Herning is just something else – fantastic, really! They cheer for every rider, not only the Danish ones, but I must admit, the roar after Cathrine’s ride – that’s something you don’t experience anywhere else, not even in Aachen.”

Third place went to Maria von Essen from Sweden on Invoice (by Jazz x Ferro), her partner from the European Championships earlier this year. They scored 81,040% “I’m overwhelmed to be on the podium,” said Maria von Essen. “My freestyle is amazing – I got it from Cathrine – and this whole event has been incredible.” They performed to music from Les Misérables, a Freestyle originally created for Laudrup-Dufour and her former ride Bohemian.

President of ground jury Kurt Christensen praised the riders for their high level of performance: “I’ve judged the World Cup for many years, and the standard of riding keeps improving. I think we all had goosebumps at some point today.”

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Herning is the first of ten qualifying events in the Western European League.
This marks the 39th season of the prestigious series, which runs across four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American, and Pacific. The final will be held in Fort Worth, Texas (USA) in April 2026, and the top nine riders from the Western European League will qualify for the final.

Strong showing from host nation Denmark

For the host nation, Carina Cassøe Krüth (DEN) and her Olympic mare Heiline’s Danciera (by Furstenball x De Niro) finished fourth with 80.510%, becoming the first combination of the day to break the 80% barrier. Her canter pirouettes stood out as particular highlights.

Fellow Dane Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN) and Favour Gersdorf (by Foundation x Leandro) impressed again after their appearance in the Freestyle Final at the Crozet Europeans, today scoring 77.170% for sixth place after a clean, confident performance.

Germany’s Raphael Netz also delivered a smooth test aboard Great Escape Camelot (by Johnson x Turbo Magic). Riding immediately after Laudrup-Dufour, with the crowd still on their feet, he showed composure and feel, particularly in the passage and half-passes.

Veterans and rising stars

Sweden’s team was well represented beyond the podium, with experienced Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén (SWE) on Hyatt (by apache x Sandreo) and Sofie Lexner (SWE) on Inoraline W (by Johnson x Amiral). Vilhelmson-Silfvén scored 75.005% riding to her Good Vibrations Freestyle, composed by the late Cees Slings, whose unexpected passing was first reported by Eurodressage earlier this week. Vilhelmson-Silfvén has in Hyatt a mare with plenty of energy and talent for collection, though her eagerness sometimes still gets in the way.

Dutch athlete Geert Jan Raateland (NED) and Gladiator (by Totilas) slotted in between the two Swedish riders with a solid test showing great collected work, though a bit of tension in the canter cost some marks.

Young guns impress

Two of the youngest competitors in the field earned their place in the prize-giving ceremony.

Moritz Treffinger (GER, 22) delivered a confident World Cup debut with Cadeau Noir (owned by Gestüt Bonhomme GmbH & Co. KG), scoring 76.505% with a bold Backstreet Boys-themed Freestyle, where the canter tour particularly impressed the judges.

Just behind him came Rowena Weggelaar (NED, 20) and her 17-year-old Don Quichot (owned by Nelly Weggelaar), scoring 75.240% for eighth place with a clean and harmonious Freestyle. Weggelaar was also part of the Dutch team at the recent European Championship in Crozet and now looks set to target the indoor World Cup season.