Oct. 17, 2026
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and the 17-year-old Mount St. John Freestyle captured the opening West European World Cup qualifier in Herning, Denmark Saturday, holding off a challenge from Holland’s Marieke van der Putten on Zantana Rs2 OLD.
Cathrine and Freestyle, a Hanoverian mare and both ranked world No. 1, were awarded 90.000% for the victory for three straight annual Wolrd Cup qualifier victories at this venue in the rider’s homeland of Denmark.
This has been a year in which Cathrine and Freestyle led Denmark to medals at the World Championships two months ago following medals at the Europeans in 2025 and the 2024 Olympics.years.
Marieke van der Putten and the 12-year-old Oldenburg mare Zantana Rs2 OLD scored a personal best 86.235% for runner-up as the pair was in the Grand Prix Friday.
However, the results showed significant disparities–a Danish judge awarded the pair the lowest score, 82.800%, while a second Danish judge gave them the second lowest score of 85.875%. Scores from the other three non-Danish judges ranged from 87.100% to 88.125%.
Sweden’s Maria von Essen on the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding Invoice placed third on 81.475%.
The second of 10 West European qualifiers is scheduled for Lyon, France at the end of this month.
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN)
Mount St John Freestyle
|
90.000% | 88.025 | 90.875 | 91.800 | 89.100 | 90.200 |
| 2. |
Marieke van der Putten (NED)
Zantana Rs2 OLD N.O.P.
|
86.235% | 82.800 | 87.275 | 85.875 | 87.100 | 88.125 |
| 3. |
Maria von Essen (SWE)
Invoice
|
81.475% | 79.875 | 85.125 | 83.100 | 78.725 | 80.550 |
| 4. |
Daniel Bachmann Andersen (DEN)
Flash Gordon 37
|
81.225% | 78.575 | 81.425 | 82.550 | 82.725 | 80.850 |
| 5. |
Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN)
Favour Gersdorf
|
80.545% | 80.825 | 82.025 | 79.225 | 80.625 | 80.025 |
| 6. |
Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN)
Inspiration PF
|
77.770% | 77.400 | 77.500 | 78.825 | 78.325 | 76.800 |
| 7. |
Cecilia Bergåkra (SWE)
My Friend
|
76.465% | 76.000 | 79.850 | 76.650 | 75.325 | 74.500 |
| 8. |
Dr. Svenja Kämper-Meyer (GER)
Amanyara M FRH
|
76.285% | 75.650 | 77.550 | 76.450 | 74.650 | 77.125 |
| 9. |
Karoline Rohmann (DEN)
Jakas Don Louvre
|
76.055% | 74.750 | 77.900 | 74.650 | 75.400 | 77.575 |
| 10. |
Annabella Pidgley (GBR)
Gio
|
75.910% | 75.925 | 74.400 | 76.325 | 78.400 | 74.500 |
| 11. |
Moritz Treffinger (GER)
Cadeau Noir
|
75.490% | 75.225 | 75.450 | 76.500 | 73.825 | 76.450 |
| 12. |
Dorothee Schneider (GER)
First Romance 2
|
73.375% | 74.900 | 73.900 | 71.875 | 71.750 | 74.450 |
| 13. |
Theodora Livanos (GRE)
Robinvale
|
72.460% | 73.100 | 73.600 | 70.375 | 72.075 | 73.150 |
| 14. |
Charlotte Jorst (USA)
GPF’s S-Express
|
70.015% | 70.700 | 71.875 | 68.400 | 69.400 | 69.700 |
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
