Dufour Wins Clash of the Titans Against Werth at 2026 CDI Herning - Viva Gold Breaks Through

-- Herning press release, edited by Eurodressage

The atmosphere in Jyske Bank Boxen was electric as some of the world’s best dressage riders went head-to-head, with Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour ultimately claiming the victory in a battle of the bulge against one of her greatest rivals, Isabell Werth.

Dufour Wins Clash of the Titans

Some of the world’s leading dressage riders announced their participation in this year’s Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning, Denmark, and from the start lists alone it was clear that the 5* tour with Mount St. John Freestyle against (Queenparks) Wendy (de Fontaine) would be the highlight. 

A clash of titans unfolded and the tables were turned in favour of home hero Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who won the Grand Prix with a smashing 84.174%, leaving Werth on Wendy far in her wake (81.913%). However in the kur to music the atmosphere in the indoor arena reached boiling point as the two leading dressage ladies were breathing down each other's neck but it was Dufour and Freestyle (by Fidermark x Donnerhall) that claimed victory with 90.465%, keeping Werth and Wendy (by Sezuan x Soprano) at a hair's breath of distance with  90.080%.

“Herning is fantastic, but Freestyle is even more fantastic. Yesterday’s Grand Prix was the best Grand Prix of my life, so I almost felt guilty asking her to perform again today. I rode with slightly less throttle today, and it’s so rare to reach 90 percent. The victory itself means nothing – but seeing top sport like this in Denmark is absolutely fantastic. We have an incredible show here, and the atmosphere – I’m not sure it exists anywhere else in the world quite like this. I have to pinch myself that we can host this level of top sport in Herning,” said Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour.

Werth on a High

Isabell Werth was also thrilled with the outcome and atmosphere in Herning, where the Danish Warmblood stallion licensing is being held at the same time.

“I am so impressed by the show and the atmosphere here. This event has it all – sport and breeding, young and experienced horses. The atmosphere was electric when I entered the arena today, and I really enjoyed it,” said Werth, who just returned from 10 days in Wellington, Florida. 

The fact that Werth finished second despite scoring above 90 percent speaks volumes about the level of competition the audience witnessed today. 

Third place in this year’s Grand Prix Freestyle went to Norway’s Isabel Freese with the Danish-owned stallion Total Hope OLD by Totilas/Blue Hors Don Schufro. Together they delivered a solid performance, earning a score of 81.885%.
“I had a really good feeling today. Yesterday was a bit more difficult, and it was great that he was more relaxed today. It almost feels like home riding here in Herning, even though I’m from Norway,” said Isabel Freese after today’s performance.

Viva Gold Breaks Through

For Werth her trip to north Denmark was worth the distance as she claimed a double win in the 3* tour aboard her rising star, the 10-year old licensed Oldenburg stallion Viva Gold (by Vivaldi x For Romance). Owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Gestut Westfalenhof, the liver chestnut is Isabell's great hope for the 2028 L.A. Olympics and a strong second iron in the fire alongside Wendy.

The judges were enamoured with the expressive stallion and threw massive scores at him on his international show debut in Herning. Viva Gold, who won the 2025 Louisdor Cup Final,  has high quality gaits and is very impressive in piaffe-passage with lifting his legs high and quick under the body, but self-carriage, true regularity and collection are still missing at this point in time from the two signature Grand Prix movements. The judges reward promise and not fact and gave the piaffes between 8 and 10. The passage gets between 7.5 and 10. The five judges clearly see different things. Werth and her talented stallion won the Grand Prix with 77.500%, which was judged by Falth, Nivelle, Wessels, Schwab, and Baarup. Their scores fluctuated between 74.783% and 80.761% !

In the Special the panel consisted of Nivelle, Wessels, Christensen, Schwab and Wolters  and they rewarded the ride with a winning 79.042% with more consistent individual totals between 78.085% and 80.638%. Hiccups in the one tempi changes and extended canter (5 - 8) kept the score from cracking the 80% marker.

German Leonie Richter was second twice aboard the Hungarian owned 10-year old stallion Lord Europe (by Lord Leatherdale x Boston). She scored 70.109% in the Grand Prix and 71.915% in the Special.

Photos © Ridehesten

Related Links
Scores: 2026 CDI Herning
Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD Win 2025 Louisdor Cup Finals