Stephan Kurz is the WBFSH Breeder of the Year 2026

Breeding

Hanoverian

German breeder Stephan Kurz has been named WBFSH Dressage Breeder of the Year 2026 for the second consecutive year.

Once again, the title is secured through Mount St John Freestyle, the outstanding Hanoverian mare by Fidermark out of Donna Gracia (Donnerhall), who continues to shine on the international stage under Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour.

At the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Freestyle and Laudrup-Dufour claimed victory in the Grand Prix before securing silver in both the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, scoring an outstanding 91.236% in the latter. These performances further cemented Freestyle’s position among the world’s leading dressage horses and once again brought international recognition to her breeder.

Winning the WBFSH title in consecutive years is a remarkable distinction, reflecting not only Freestyle’s extraordinary talent and consistency but also Stephan Kurz’s ability to breed a horse capable of remaining at the very pinnacle of the sport. Their second consecutive title is a fitting recognition of a breeding success story that continues to make its mark on international dressage.

The WBFSH Breeders of the Year 2026 will be celebrated at the beginning of 2027 during the WBFSH Breeder Awards. This prestigious award recognizes the extraordinary dedication and talent of those who breed world-class equine athletes.

WBFSH Dressage Breeder Ranking - 2026 (Top 10)

1. Stephan Kurz - Mount St John Freestyle
2. Dressage Plus - Zonik Plus
3. J. Rodenburg - Glamourdale
4. Kurt Gosmer - Queenparks Wendy
5. Becky Moody - Jagerbomb
6. Christine Arns-Krogmann - Viva Gold
7. G. Gerritsen - Fame
8. Gestut Lewitz - Zantana
9. Friedrich Kuhlmann - Denoix
10. Renate Hormann -Maxima Bella