Denmark's Carina Cassøe Krüth misses out on World Cup final - start ruined by technicality

This was not how Carina Cassøe Krüth had imagined the day before leaving for the World Cup Dressage Final. The departure was already fully prepared: Flights booked, accommodation for family and grooms organized and everything ready for the transport of her mare Heiline’s Danciera in Mariager, Denmark. “Danse” is in top form, writes the Danish Warmblood Breeding Association about the Fürstenball daughter.

Official papers prevent transportation to Texas

Shortly before departure, there was an unplanned stop: after the family vet had completed the formalities, the official vet responsible was unable to sign the necessary health and transportation documents. The reason: a discrepancy in the wording of the documents provided by the organizer’s transport company. Although the company vet had already approved the documents, no agreement could be reached.

Despite intensive efforts, numerous phone calls and support from the association and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the problem could not be solved in time. New, correct documents could no longer be obtained in time.

Seasonal goal falls through

This means that Cassøe Krüth’s start at her second World Cup final has fallen through. This was her declared goal for the season. The rider was still collecting points when she was heavily pregnant. She came second in Wierzbna BIaly Las in Poland, fourth in Herning and after the birth of her child, she was able to collect enough points for the final with third place in the freestyle in Gothenburg. She was tenth in the Western European League. After the withdrawal of riders ranked ahead of her, she was the first to move up. “It’s a very unfortunate situation and I’m naturally disappointed. We tried everything, but without success,” explained Cassøe Krüth.

Fourth at the 2022 World Cup final

Carina Cassøe Krüth and Heiline’s Danciera have competed at the World Cup Final before. They finished fourth in Leipzig in 2022. The year before, the pair delivered their best performance in the freestyle final at the Tokyo Olympics: Seventh place. The Olympic start in Paris 2024 was denied to the team world champion. Shortly before the Games, a video showing her training became public and was deemed cruel to animals by the Danish association. The 41-year-old trains with the horse dealer Andreas Helgstrand, for whom her husband works in management.

Charlotte Dujardin also not present in Texas

It had already been announced last week that the British rider Charlotte Dujardin would also not be taking up her starting place. She had qualified with the mare Alive and Kicking. The way in which she had ridden the mare at the World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam had led to criticism. The British federation told Eurodressage that Dujardin’s withdrawal had nothing to do with the two-page article in The Times newspaper.

Dujardin’s starting place will be taken by the US American Benjamin Ebeling. He will ride the Bellissimo M daughter Bellena in Fort Worth. The update was announced on April 2nd.