Cecilia Bergåkra Impresses in 2026 CDI-W Herning World Cup Freestyle

2026 CDI-W Herning

Swedish dressage rider Cecilia Bergåkra delivered a strong performance at the CDI-W Herning in Denmark last weekend, finishing seventh in the Grand Prix Freestyle aboard My Friend in her first appearance in the Western European League of the FEI Dressage World Cup.

The 25-year-old rider and her 15-year-old mare My Friend (by Friendship x Troll) scored 76.465% in Saturday's freestyle, moving up five places from their 12th place in Friday's Grand Prix.

Bergåkra, a NorCordia partner based at Randbøl Dressage Academy in Denmark, was particularly pleased with her mare, affectionately known as Maja.

"I don't think she has ever given me such a good feeling in the arena before. It feels like we are on our way to something even better," said Bergåkra.

"If you could measure pride on a scale from one to ten, I would be at twelve. I am incredibly proud of Maja. There is no better feeling than when she enters the arena, gives her very best and we perform together as a team."

Building on World Cup Debut in Poland

Bergåkra made her FEI Dressage World Cup debut in September at the CDI-W Wierzbna Bialy Las in Poland, finishing sixth in the freestyle with 74.715% and earning her first 11 World Cup points.

Her performance in Herning, where she improved her freestyle score to 76.465%, marks further progress in her first World Cup season.

The Swedish rider stepped up to senior-level competition in 2026, including her debut on the Swedish senior national team.

Bergåkra and My Friend are now targeting the next World Cup qualifier in Stuttgart, Germany, on 11–15 November, with the 2027 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, as their longer-term goal.

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-- press release - Photo credit: Hestefotograf Melissa