Dressage-News

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Feb. 22,2020–Cathrine Dufour and Cassidy recovered from a shaky Grand Prix to capture the World Cup Freestyle Saturday with a shot at going to the Final in Las Vegas if she goes to the last Western European qualifier next month. Germany’s Benjamin Werndl on Daily Mirror posted a personal best score to be runner-up and likely cement a start in the Las Vegas Final.

Cathrine and the 17-year Danish Warmblood gelding that she has partnered from a youngster was awarded 87.860% for the victory, the 28-year-old Danish team rider’s second win in two starts on the highly competitive Western European circuit.

Germany’s Benjamin Werndl and Daily Mirror, a 16-year-old Westfalen gelding scored 86.170% for second place, beating their previous best of 84.705% set in Salzburg, Austria last December. The pair had won the Grand Prix Friday after Cathrine and Cassidy made several mistakes including going off course.

Frederic Wandres, also of Germany, and Duke of Britain, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, were third on  81.465%.

The victory for Cathrine gave her 20 points to add to the 20 she earned earlier in the circuit. The 11th and final Western European qualifier for Las Vegas is in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Mar. 12-15.

Cathrine and Cassidy competed as a Junior in 2010 and went on to dominate European Young Rider Championships in 2012 ans 2013. She competed for Denmark at the 2016 Olympics then won individual and freestyle bronze medals at 2017 European Championships and repeated as individual bronze medalist at 2019 Europeans.

“I’ve had him 10 years now and he’s really special for me and my family,” said Cathrine. “I think I owe this horse everything–he kind of created my career and I am really truly enjoying every time I ride down the centerline because he’s 17 years old and you never know what happens. He feels great and is super-sound, but you just have remember to enjoy every single ride.” 

Benjamin Werndl stands second in the Western European League, behind his kid sister Jessica von Bredow-Werndl who has not yet decided whether to go to Las Vegas.

Nine combinations are selected from Western Europe for the Final lineup of 18 riders and horses, with no more than three from one nation. German superstar Isabell Werth also has a guaranteed start as the defending champion and will be seeking her fourth straight World Cup, the first to do so.

“I’m proud to be German but sometimes it’s not so easy in the dressage ring to be a German rider because there’s always a big fight for the three spots for the World Cup Final,” said Frederic, the third placed pair. “And there’s one more show in March so everything is still open and we have to fight until the end. But if I have a chance to go for sure I will take it because it’s a dream for me, especially with this horse. We came into the Grand Prix sport together and this would be something special.”

Results:

World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle