Herning hosts season opener of FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League

Cathrine Dufour has entered Atterupgaards Cassidy as her partner in the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ in Herning (DEN). Together with Carina Cassøe Krüth, Nanna Skodborg Merrald, and Charlotte Heering, Dufour completes the Danish Olympic team that competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and will attend the opening leg of the World Cup Western European League.

The Danish Olympic national team athletes are ready to entertain and fascinate the audience and judges at the FEI Dressage World Cup ™ in Herning in October. Cathrine Dufour, Carina Cassøe Krüth, Nanna Skodborg Merrald, and Charlotte Heering will give the spectators in Jyske Bank Boxen a memorable experience, as they compete against each other in the most prestigious individual competition in the sport, riding in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Boxen.

The opening qualifier of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League returns to Herning after a detour to the National Equestrian Center Vilhelmsborg in Aarhus last year due to COVID-19. This popular competition is back at the exhibition center, MCH in Herning from 20 - 24 October.

Jyske Bank Boxen and Blue Hors Arena M form the framework for the Jumping and Dressage competitions as well as the afternoon show Saturday, prior to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Freestyle and DWB foal auction.

Cathrine Dufour: I'm really looking forward to it!

29-year-old Cathrine Dufour won the FEI Dressage World Cup ™ qualifier on Atterupgaards Cassidy at Herning in 2017. With the age of 18 years, Cassidy’s spectacular career draws to a close, earning medals at five European Championships (two Juniors, two Young Riders, and one Senior). They were part of Denmark’s 2016 Olympic Team, and this summer they claimed their 5th victory in the Danish National Championship.

Cathrine Dufour, now No. 2 on the FEI Dressage World Rankings, has entered Cassidy in Herning, the first of nine qualifying rounds in the Western European League, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final, which takes place in Leipzig, Germany next April.

"I am really looking forward to being back in Herning. To be honest I have the most amazing memories from the World Cup in Herning. The first year, riding Cassidy and beating Isabell Werth was very special. This year I am bringing Cassidy and expectations are always high when I bring him. This is maybe one of his last shows, so I just want to enjoy being at the competition with him again. And I am excited riding the short Grand Prix for the first time, says Cathrine Dufour adding: It’s going to be super fun and I can’t wait.”

A strong lineup for the World Cup

The Danes will undoubtedly meet tough competition with the likes of the German riders Ingrid Klimke/Franzizkus and Helen Langehanenberg/Annabelle, the Duch rider Dinja van Liere/Hermes and the Swedish/Danish combination Patrik Kittel and the Danish Warmblood mare Fiontini, three times gold medal winner at the Young Horse Championships.

“I am looking forward to Herning. Fio is in top shape, and I could not be more proud of her, she is a real star,” states Patrik Kittel.

The Dressage culminates Saturday night

FEI Dressage World Cup ™ Grand Prix will be ridden on Friday evening, starting at 19.00 CET.

The competition on Saturday culminates with FEI Dressage World Cup ™ Freestyle from 18.30 CET - open to the 15 top riders from Friday night's FEI Dressage World Cup ™ Grand Prix.

See the entire program HERE.

You can also enjoy the FEI Dressage World Cup ™ Freestyle from Herning on FEI TV.

Photo: Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy won the FEI Dressage World Cup ™ in Herning in 2017. Photo: Lars Møller

Photo: The Swedish/Danish combination Patrik Kittel and the Danish Warmblood mare Fiontini, are ready for action in Herning. Photo: Haide Westring

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