Favorite victory in the Grand Prix Special of Hagen 2026

Just like last night in the freestyle, the Danish national anthem rang out again today in the Grand Prix Special in Hagen, this time for Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Freestyle. The victory was no surprise. But the way in which the European Championship silver medallists and world number one danced to victory in the large stadium today was special. So light, so harmonious, so easy going and yet from head to tail (or rather from tail to head, because every movement here goes from back down to front up) every inch the image of a classically ridden horse. The contact is fine, the movements soft and flowing. At the same time, perfectly balanced and with reliable production. Translated into points, this meant: 83.085 percent, a new personal best result for the pair after a ride in which Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus will also have to work hard.

“It was like flying today,” said Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. “I don’t think she put a hoof wrong today.” To look for faults here today would be petty. And the most beautiful thing was how the mare, visibly satisfied with herself and the world, strolled towards the exit after the ride on a yielded rein and graciously accepted the enthusiastic applause of the not too numerous spectators. The Happy Athlete concept – you could see it here.

Knot burst with Vayron

Ingrid Klimke’s Vayron had already been very focused in the Grand Prix. Today in the Special in the large stadium he was just as focused as on Friday and also better in the contact, i.e. less tight in the head-neck position. Highlights of the test were the transitions between strong trot and passages, the series changes and the traversals. Minor issues such as an anticipated flying change after picking up from the strong canter did not detract from the positive overall impression. “That was good!” shouted national coach Monica Theodorescu to Klimke from afar across the warm-up arena. Even the pirouettes, which are not exactly in the cradle of the huge Vitalis son with his incredible transmission, were quite balanced today.

Ingrid Klimke was just as beaming as the national coach. “He was totally relaxed, as he had been all weekend. He was totally happy, super nice in the contact, with me the whole time. So, I thought it was great!” The judges too: 74.915 percent, second place.

Scandinavia top

The two Swedes Maria von Essen on Invoice and Therese Nilshagen with her young hopeful Navarro also delivered a great round. You can tell that Maria von Essen and Invoice are a well-rehearsed duo. They radiate a lot of calm and harmony and the black horse impressed in the piaffe-passage tour. The pair scored 73.979 percent.

The duo from Lodbergen, Therese Nilshagen and the ten-year-old Negro son Navarro with his powerful stallion neck, were able to go one better today compared to the Grand Prix. The champion rider succeeded better in connecting the hindquarters so that the hocks worked under the body. The piaffe became more and more secure over the course of the test and the pirouettes were real highlights. One slip-up in the single changes was costly. The pair scored a total of 72.213 percent.

The Danish pair Nadja Aaboe Sloth/Favour Gersdorf were only narrowly beaten after a very harmonious round, which was not too generously scored at 72.128 percent. Her compatriot Anna Zibrandtsen came in behind them with the little Quaterback son Quel Filou. The two have become a really nice pair and had it not been for the tension in the changeover tours today, they would have scored even higher than 71.276 percent.

Second best German pair

Tobias Nabben and his Finest son Forster are a pair you simply have to like, especially if you know their history. Despite faults in the double and single changes between the pirouettes on the center line, the pair were able to celebrate a new personal best today: 70.532 percent and seventh place. Among other things, they received several eights today for their great piaffe-passage work. And there is still room for improvement in all areas.

You can find all the results here.