One of the most celebrated dressage pairs in the world - Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle - have announced that the ambition, fire and passion are there to aim for the 2027 European Championships in Vejle, Denmark.
Mount St. John Freestyle is a 17-year Hanoverian mare by Fidermark x Donnerhall, co-owned by Emma Blundell, Laudrup-Dufour and the Zinglersen family.
Celebrated Partnership
In the autumn of 2023, Dufour took over the ride on the British owned Grand Prix mare as her Paris Olympic hopeful. They debuted at the CDI Kronenberg in December.
In 2024 the pair competed at one CDI in Herning and won the Danish Championships to clinch a spot on the Danish team for the Paris Olympics, where Denmark won silver. Individually they finished fifth in the freestyle. They finished the year with two indoor starts in Herning and Stockholm, winning all four tests.
In 2025 Dufour and "Free" conserved energy and showed close-by, in Gothenburg, for a double victory and to return on the team for the European Championships in Crozet, where Denmark got team bronze. They scored double individual silver in Crozet.
In 2026 the dup showed in Herning, Hagen and Falsterbo as preparation for the World Championships in Aachen, where Denmark clinched team bronze. Again there was double silver for the pair in the Special and Kur.
Vejle on the Map
Dufour always carefully curated the energy level of the rising 18-year old mare. She revealed that the 2027 European Championships on home turf in Vejle, Denmark, are her goal for next year.
"We're obviously dreaming of it," Dufour said about competing Freestyle in Vejle, "and I really hope that this young lady will be in great shape for next year too. She was absolutely fantastic at the World Championships this year, so fingers crossed and we'll do our best."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour Gets Mount St. John Freestyle as 2024 Paris Olympic Hopeful