World Cup Dressage Season Opener in Herning: Six World Championship Finalists Have Entered
World Cup opener in Herning on the third weekend of October features a strong field
from Jan Tönjes 
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour won the freestyle competition in March 2026 in Herning. Photo: Ridehesten The Herning Exhibition Center is Denmark’s equestrian hub and the venue for events such as the Danish Warmblood licensing trials. Over the weekend of October 5–18, Herning will be the focus of attention for equestrian athletes. The Western European Dressage League kicks off this weekend. The field of competitors is top-notch.
Leading the field is the world No. 1, Danish World Championship silver medalist Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who will be competing on her top horse, Mount St. John Freestyle. Also coming to Herning from the World Championships silver medal-winning team are Daniel Bachmann Andersen with Flash Gordon and Nadja Aaboe Sloth with Favour Gersdorf.
German Quartet in Herning
Four German pairs will travel to Herning. For Moritz Treffinger, the Jyske Bank Boxen, the arena in Herning, is a place that brings back spine-tingling memories. It was here last year that his journey began, one that took him all the way to the World Cup Final in Fort Worth. Treffinger will be coming to Herning with Cadeau Noir, his U25 European Champion. Svenja Kämper-Meyer and Amanayara M FRH will also be taking on the World Cup challenge once again.
Isabell Werth will be riding Quantaz. The son of Quaterback was part of the German team at the 2022 World Cup, held in the neighboring soccer stadium. And finally, Dorothee Schneider will be heading north with First Romance.
Strong pairs from other countries
The Germans will face some stiff competition. For example, the Dutch number one, Marieke van der Putten, plans to come to Herning with Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P., who placed sixth at the World Championships. Swedish World Championship finalist Maria von Essen also plans to compete in the World Cup opener with Invoice. Finally, Susan Pape, competing for Great Britain, will also be in the mix. Her KWPN mare Hamony’s Giulilanta—like Invoice, descended from the Dutch stallion Jazz—has already delivered freestyle performances with scores of over 80 percent.
Schedule
The World Cup Grand Prix is scheduled for Friday, October 16, starting at 4:30 p.m. The free skate, in which qualification points are at stake, is set to take place on Saturday, October 17, starting at 2:45 p.m. in the arena.
The program also includes classes for 4- to 7-year-old dressage horses and U25 classes. In addition, there will be show jumping at the CSI3* level.
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