WBFSH Awards to two German breeders

Being honored as the breeder of the best horse in the world in the past show year is something very special. The WBFSH Awards (Word Breeding Federation of Sport Horses). For Stephan Kurz, it was the first time that he had received one of the pretty boxes in which the watch manufacturer Longines packages its chronographs. Ocke Riewerts, who was honored for the second time, was more experienced in this regard.

Freestyle – WBFSH Award for Hanoverian from the south

The mare Freestyle, officially known as Mount St. John Freestyle after the farm of her British owner Emma Blundell, has been a consistent world-class rider for years under the Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. And in 2025 she was the most successful dressage horse in the world. The mare was brought into the sport by the British rider Charlotte Dujardin, who rode the Fidermark daughter with Hanoverian branding as a nine-year-old at the World Championships in Tryon in 2018. Their partnership ended in 2021. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour has been in the saddle of the bay mare since 2023. Since then, the pair have won five medals, including Olympic team silver in Paris and two silver medals at the European Championships in Crozet in 2025. Freestyle’s career began at the foal auction in Verden, where a talent scout saw the filly and advised Emma Blundle to buy her.

Donnerhall fan Stephan Kurz

Breeder Stephan Kurz comes from Zöbingen in Baden-Württemberg. He has been breeding horses for 27 years. He is convinced that Donnerhall is the basis for success. “I always say that the performance of the dam line is much more important. That’s where I can judge much better whether the horse will work as a dressage horse later on”.

It is therefore not surprising that Freestyle’s pedigree includes the Oldenburg Stamp Stallion via her dam Donna Gracia by Donnerhall-Atatürk-Freiherr. Kurz is not only a breeder, he also owns dressage horses. In this respect, he knows how many factors play a role: “There are so many coincidences that have come full circle, where everything has worked perfectly. The horses have to stay healthy and end up in the right hands”.

London – from Föhr to the big wide world

Ocke Riewerts, who lives and breeds on the island of Föhr, has already been honored once. The horse that brought him the award in 2021, the Holsteiner Landos son London, was born on his farm near Alkersum, not far from the famous “Friesendoms”, St. Johannis in Nieblum.

With Great Britain’s Laura Collett, London not only won team gold and individual bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but also won the CCI5* Badminton, Pau and Luhmühlen, among others, during his career. He then went on to win individual gold at the European Championships in Blenheim in 2025. “I never thought it would be possible to receive this honor once – let alone twice,” said Ocke Riewerts about winning the prestigious award again.

Donatello – family product and jumping safe

Susana Epaillard García Cereceda was also named Breeder of the Year with the Longines WBFSH Award for the second time. She owes her success primarily to the Selle Français gelding Donatello d’Auge. But also to her husband Julien Epaillard, who jumps from success to success in the saddle of the Frenchman.

Donatello’s sustained performance is no coincidence. The family also has a younger full brother and a talented nine-year-old sister who is already competing in 1.40 m courses.

Susana Epaillard García Cereceda sums up her recipe for success in one word: Patience. Then there is the holistic approach with which Susanna and Julien look after their horses: “Patience is the big secret … You have to let them grow, and then when they are in sport, you can’t ask too much of them too often.”