Inside the large exhibition halls, several functions are already beginning to take shape, e.g. the press center for the many accredited photographers and journalists is ready.
And the special volunteer hotel, which is built inside Hall C, is ready to welcome volunteers from around the world. Almost 300 double rooms have been established inside the exhibition hall.
Outside, a stadium is being built from scratch. BB Horse Arena, which forms the framework for the World Championship in Para-dressage, is already in the works. This stadium, with an associated warm-up arena, will be completed on 20th of July.
Photo: Herning 2022
The large multi-arena, Jysk Bank Boxen, is to be converted into a competition arena and warm-up areas for vaulting. It is planned to be ready for the Championships on 24th of July.
The football stadium, Stutteri Ask Stadium, is the last arena to be ready for action. In the days from 23rd- 31st of July, the football stadium will be transformed into an equestrian stadium in a class of its own, ready to receive Dressage and Showjumpers.
The first horses are expected to move into the stables on 2nd of August.
Skibby HC is the “Official footing supplier” and more than 36,000 m2 of sand must be laid at a depth of 12 cm, corresponding to more than 5 large football fields of competition arenas, warm-up, and training arenas.
The sand has been carefully selected and is arriving from Sweden.
After more than 2 years of planning and preparation, the team behind Herning2022 is looking forward to getting started with the practical work.
“We have become aware that many believe that the tickets for Herning2022 have been sold out, and this is not the case,” Jens Trabjerg, CEO Sport, says.
While there has been a lot of interest in the tickets for the World Championships, which has four disciplines on the program – Dressage, Jumping, Para-dressage, and Vaulting – tickets are still available for all championships in several ticket categories.
There are only a few tables left at the VIP section in the Stutteri Ask Stadium. If you would like to experience the FEI World Championships at first class, please contact: VIP | Herning 2022.
Herning2022 has a dedicated staff who are happy to help find available hotel rooms in Herning and the surrounding area. And in addition, there is still space on the campsite “The Village” on the showground.
A key collaboration between Ejner Hessel A/S and Herning2022 means that the Organisers can offer shuttle services to and from the official hotels to riders, officials, sponsors, partners, and official guests. Through this major partnership, Ejner Hessel A/S will provide 25 exclusive plug-in hybrid cars.
“Ejner Hessel has a large fleet of luxury cars, and with the SUV models we are made available, we ensure that our guests are transported safely and comfortably to and from the venue,” said Casper Cassøe, who together with Jens Trabjerg is behind the running of the FEI World Championships Herning from 6 – 14 August.
The cars will be driven by skilled, experienced drivers in Herning2022’s shuttle team and will depart from the main entrance at EquiPark.
The collaboration with Ejner Hessel A/S also means that they make cars available for material transport in and out of the three stadiums: Stutteri Ask Stadion, Jyske Bank Boxen, and the BB Horse Arena.
“This is the first time we are working with Ejner Hessel, apart from a minor collaboration around the FEI World Cup TM in October last year, and we have experience of their professionalism and commitment. And since Hessel has a branch in Herning, it further facilitates collaboration. It is a large organisation that has gone wholeheartedly and actively into the collaboration,” says Casper Cassøe.
He and Jens Trabjerg enjoy driving many pleasant kilometers in the two Mercedes provided by Ejner Hessel A/S.
About Ejner Hessel A/S
Ejner Hessel A/S is among Denmark’s largest private car dealers with more than 25 branches around the country. Since 1987, they have been dealers in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, and sales manager Allan Munk is pleased they have succeeded in entering into the collaboration with Herning2022.
“We are experiencing enormous interest in and growth in sales of Mercedes electric and hybrid cars in all our departments. And we know that it will be the future for our customers, which is why we saw it as a really good opportunity to have our very fine model program shown to a wide range of interesting people. The vast majority of all traffic during Herning2022 will be able to take place 100 percent electrically, which just proves how far the technology has reached for electric cars.”
During the entire event, visitors will be able to see the many Mercedes-Benz models around the roads in most of Denmark, where the many riders have to be transported to and from hotels and airports.
Public transportation
The public can easily get from Herning city and the station to the World Championship area. There will be shuttle buses running every 40 minutes throughout the day. The service starts 60 minutes before the first class and the last departure to Herning city will be 30 – 60 minutes after the last class. The bus is free. If you choose to come by bus or train to Herning, you can get help to plan your trip via reiseplanen.dk
The special tickets will optimise the experience for guests. The best seats at Stutteri Ask Stadium are designated the exclusive areas Hööks First Class Area and Hööks Business Class Area, and those seats also serve as partout tickets for those who want to watch all World Championships competitions in Dressage and/or Jumping. These were the first tickets to go on sale, and the partout tickets for Dressage are sold out, but there are single tickets left.
The two areas have been created to allow the audience to have a very special experience inside Stutteri Ask Stadium during the Dressage and Jumping competitions. The World Championships on Danish soil is the largest equestrian event to date in Denmark, and the Organisers experience great interest in this 4-discipline World Championships (Dressage, Jumping, Paradressage, and Vaulting).
Get pampered at Höök’s First Class Area The seats at Höök’s First Class and Business Class Area are reserved on the long side, close to the arena, seats which are considered to give the best view at the stadium.
Casper Cassøe, who together with Jens Trabjerg is behind Herning2022, says: “First and Business Class each have their own entrance, with their own toilet facilities.”
There is extra pampering for the guests in Höök’s First Class Area because here a light catering is included on the competition days. The ticket also comes with a goodie bag with World Championships merchandise and more. “If you choose Hööks First Class tickets, you can stay inside the stadium and in the associated lounge area. There will be free access to the daily menus and to coffee, beer, water, and house wine,” Casper Cassøe explains. It is a luxury ticket to the World Championships experience. “We will of course make sure that Hööks Hestesport is visible in the area, and guests in the First Class Area can also look forward to a gift from Hööks in their goodie bag. We are pleased that Hööks has chosen the World Championships in Herning to make their commitment to equestrian sports in Scandinavia visible,” concludes Casper Cassøe.
Joachim Höök, CEO of Hööks Hestesport. Photo: Hööks
Hööks Hestesport is Scandinavia’s leading company in the equestrian industry and has a wide range of products for riders, horses, and dogs. The company has 61 stores in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland and also offers e-commerce. Joachim Höök, CEO of Hööks Hestesport, is pleased with the fact that Scandinavia is hosting the prestigious World Championships, and he sees great opportunities for his company in the collaboration with Herning2022: “The reason we participate is to get more visibility at the best competitions. Our commitment to Herning2022 is well connected with our ambition to increase our sales and presence in Denmark.”
The World Championships opens with Dressage and ends with Jumping
It is Blue Horse FEI World Dressage Championship Grand Prix Team competition presented by Helgstrand, which opens the World Championships in Herning on 6 August. The Team competition in Dressage ends on Sunday 7 August, while there is a Grand Prix Special for the top 30 on Monday 8 August. And then the Dressage competitions end on Wednesday night in floodlight with the Blue Horse FEI World Dressage Championship Grand Prix Freestyle competition presented by Helgstrand, an atmospheric evening for Dressage fans.
The showjumpers will occupy Stutteri Ask Stadium from Wednesday 10 August with the Final of the Team competition, Agria FEI World Jumping Championship Team Final presented by Helgstrand on Friday 12 August under floodlights. And it is the Individual Jumping that concludes Herning2022 on 14 August during Agria Super Sunday.
The world’s best riders and Vaulters meet in Herning, Denmark for the FEI World Championships in Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage and Vaulting from 6 – 14 August. Top-level equestrian sports largely require riders and Vaulters to focus on their own health and fitness, and not focus solely on the horse’s training and fitness.
Athletes can, of course, use fitness rooms at the hotels where they are accommodated, but by setting up a well-equipped fitness center on the venue, they have the possibility to train in a well-equipped fitness center when they have time, even when staying on the venue.
“We have responded to an inquiry, as the Vaulters need to be able to maintain their form during the competitions in order to practice their sport,” says Casper Cassøe, who together with Jens Trabjerg is responsible for the running of Herning2022. He continues: “We have found a professional partner in Fitness Engros A/S they are experienced and can handle the task and ensure that Herning2022 has a well-equipped fitness center for the athletes.”
“Fitness Engros A / S is very proud to be the Official Fitness & Training Equipment Supplier during the upcoming FEI World Championships,” director Brian N. Andersen says, and he continues: “Even though our name is Fitness Engros (Wholesale), we would like to be seen as an equipment supplier for a wide range of sports including equestrian sports. We see it as a great honor to be involved and to support major sporting events in Denmark. We would also like to use this event to expose Fitness Engros A/S as a supplier to the private segment, which we also have a strong focus on, via our on-line shop.”
“We look forward to furnishing a fitness room in the Jyske Bank Boxen, giving the riders the possibility to work on their own fitness during the FEI World Championships. The fitness room will be equipped with everything from treadmills, exercise bikes and a lot of functional equipment, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the riders and Vaulters to train their own body, ”concludes Brian N. Andersen from Fitness Engros A / S.
The fact that Denmark has at all been awarded the World Championships for four of the equestrian disciplines is an achievement, as many other much larger countries applied for the honor of hosting. But an ambition for a more sustainable approach to the World Championships helped to decide the choice in Danish favor.
This means that the Organisers and partners behind the FEI World Championships Herning – Denmark 2022 have set a towering level of ambition when it comes to developing the event’s sustainable profile.
– We have simply turned it upside down in relation to how most people approach the work with sustainability. Instead of just looking for where we can do it “less bad” environmentally, we look for where we can do “more good”. We want to create lasting positive impacts. We have made a calculation for the amount of CO2 that the World Championships will emit, so we had a starting point, says Jens Trabjerg, one of the Organisers and continues:
– Our approach is that we seek to make positive contributions wherever we can. Hopefully we can help inspire participants, the audience and the press and get people to take greater responsibility for our planet.
Stutteri Ask Stadium at Herning2022. Photo: Herning2022/Ridehesten
An inspiration
Sport Event Denmark is present when large, international championships are to be held in Denmark, and they are a partner at the event. The organisation has a great focus on green development:
– Sport Event Denmark will, together with Federations and host cities, show how we in Denmark can take the lead and host international sporting events and at the same time push for green development. The World Championships in equestrian sports is a long stride ahead in many respects, and we use this event as an example for inspiration for other event organisers, says Lars Lundov, director, Sport Event Denmark.
A special mindset
The high ambitions for the new approach to sustainability have created a very special mindset in the entire Herning2022 organisation. The employees, who work every day to first and foremost create a fantastic equestrian show, always have sustainability in mind. The Organisers have decades of experience in equestrian sports and in arranging championships, and it is a new challenge for them to “think green”.
But within the equine world, the ambition to contribute positively has become more and more clear.
It is estimated that the World Championships will emit around 4,000 tons of CO2, not including transport from participants and guests, and by choosing green solutions whenever possible and buying off setting credits, the event will be CO2-neutral. In addition, 20 hectares of forest are planted in collaboration with Herning Municipality: VM-Skoven, which during this century will bind approx. 12,000 tons of CO2.
– The Organisers’ special focus on sustainability fits very well with Herning Municipality’s strategy to create responsible development and growth for the benefit of a richer nature, a cleaner environment and to reduce the climate impact. I am very happy about the positive legacy that the World Championchips will leave in Herning Municipality in the form of the forest. VM-Skoven will give the municipality’s citizens many new and beautiful nature experiences, says Mayor Dorte West from Herning Municipality.
Three overarching principles
Jasper Steinhausen is responsible for the sustainable efforts and the calculations. The effort is based on three general principles (see fact box). He explains:
– We focus on how we can create lasting positive impacts even though an event like this is temporary by nature. We will use Herning2022 to engage our participants, guests, and the community around us to make better choices, so that together we make the world better in the future. Specifically, we have, for example, collaborated with MCH Exhibition Herning on waste management and sorting as well as catering, which future events will benefit from, Jasper Steinhausen says.
– The second principle is to think circular. We will buy recycled solutions whenever possible and make sure that products and materials are re-used after the event. We will rent or borrow instead of buying new.
The third principle is to integrate sustainability in the dialogue with the many suppliers that a large event such as Herning2022 requires.
– Sustainability is a natural part of our dialogue with partners and suppliers, so together we raise the bar.
Jasper Steinhausen also acknowledges that there will be areas where Herning2022 will be challenged.
– It may be due to unavoidable requirements for equestrian competitions at this level, what is available, qualities, finances and what is doable in time before the World Championships kick off in August. But we will, as much as possible, go for a solution that considers the environment, quality, deliveries, and the overall economy.
Jens Trabjerg. Photo: Henring2022
Before, during and after
When 200,000 spectators, 1,100 media people and approx. 200 million TV viewers in August 2022 turn their attention towards Herning and Denmark, they will not only get to see one of the world’s biggest sporting events – they will also be inspired to think new thoughts and maybe create new habits. There will, for example, be sustainable merchandise, clothes for volunteers etc.
The judges will sit in the judges’ towers of recycled wood, and Denmark will be promoted as a green nation on Solution Square, an area dedicated to Danish environmental technology and circular initiatives.
– And after the world championships, the VM-Skoven will be a green and lasting legacy for Herning2022. It’s a green way to say thank you, and our goal is to move people and make the world better after Herning2022, says Jens Trabjerg.
Facts about Herning2022
FEI World Championships Herning – Denmark 2022 will be held from 6 to 14 August 2022.
There will be competitions in four disciplines: Dressage, Jumping, Para Dressage and Vaulting.
The Organising Committee behind the Championships in addition to VM Herning 2022 ApS, are also the public partners, Sport Event Denmark, Herning Municipality and Dansk Ride Forbund (Danish Riding Association).
Ambition
Herning2022 will create a new benchmark for sustainability at major sporting events.
3 principles of sustainability
Seek positive ripple effects
Think circular
Engage all suppliers in a dialogue on sustainability.
Examples of initiatives
Easily accessible off-setting solutions for the participants of these World Championships, and as inspiration for future sport events
Collaboration with MCH Exhibition Herning on waste management and sorting (10 fractions) and catering
Base materials half rented, and half produced for the purpose. The new one will be used for many years to come at local riding facilities.
Judge towers are made of recycled wood in collaboration with local production schools and are guaranteed an after-life locally.
“We are here to support the organizers of the World Championships and the professionals who are responsible for the footing,” Professor Lars Roepstorff initially explains, he was supported by FEI representative Heidi Zorn (Footing expert and President at Premier Equestrian). The footing used at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Selection in Herning will also be used at all World Championship arenas, training- and warmup arenas. The experts were present to investigate the footing together with Janus Haubroe from Skibby HC, who is the “Official Footing Supplier” for the championship and thus responsible for having mats, sand and fibers laid on 35.000 m2 in Herning. Several meetings and numerus tests of the surface were conducted. The practical team, which will be responsible for maintenance and care of the footing, led by Jesper Møller, also participated in studies and debates together with one of the three area managers, Niels Jørgen Cassøe.
Lars Roepstorff is a trained veterinarian and has a PH.D. in functional anatomy from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and has been a professor in the subject since 2011. Together with leading researchers, he has developed a machine: Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester, which is used to test the footing at major competitions and championships such as WEG in Tryon, Olympics in London, Rio and Tokyo.
Now this scientific method is also being used to ensure the optimal footing for the horses at the World Championships in Herning in August.
“It takes technical cooperation to make a good footing. Creating the right footing is so complicated – it is not a job for an individual, ” Lars explains, he elaborates: Building and caring for the footing is very complex. There are completely different expectations to the footing when it is a championship and in particular a world championship.”
Professor Lars Roepstorff together with expert in footing, Heidi Zorn and Somesh Dutt from FEI, behind him is one of the Organisers of the World Championship, Casper Cassøe, CEO operations, Janus Haubro from Skibby HC and Niels Jørgen Cassøe, from the maintenance team. Photo: Zibrasport Equest
The footing is the heart of the championship
The footing at the warm-up and competition arenas is crucial to the performance of the horse and rider in competition. In a way, one can deduce that the footing is the heart of all competitions. It is a difficult balance is to make a footing that allows the horse and rider to deliver their optimal performance, while minimizing the risk of injury to the horse.
If you think the footing is just a matter of placing random sand into an arena and leveling it out, you are horribly mistaken. It is extremely complex, and the sand used for the World Championship arenas is examined right down to the size and shape of the individual sand grains. The championships in Herning are held on a footing, combining a mix of special sand and fibers.
Heidi Zorn explains: “The fibers hold the sand together, and help to give the footing a coherence, a cushioning when the hoof hits the ground and a spring effect, and all this must be the same throughout the arena. The uniformity of the surface is important, because the horse cannot adapt to significant changes in the footing over a single gallop. Uniformity is essential in relation to injury prevention. ”
Fendt is the “Official Tractor Supplier” for the World Championships, and the company will deliver a number of tractors ready to be a valuable part of the maintenance of the footing.
Skilled tractor driver required
Maintaining the bottom once it is established is at least as important as choosing the right material. A general rule, says Lars, that 50% of the function is based on the choice of the right material and 50% is maintenance. Therefore, it requires people with great experience, and an ability to fine-tune the footing along the way.
Today, we can measure the properties we want for the footing, in a way that those responsible for establishment and maintenance have some specific measurements, instead of asking riders, coaches, etc. as everyone has their own opinion as regards to what characterizes good footing.
“With a fixed value, we can build and maintain the footing to reach the desired properties. This means, we can inform the Organisers and riders that the footing complies with the set requirements, and it minimizes discussions about the footing, concludes Lars Roepstorff’s.
When the World Championships in jumping, dressage, paradressage and vaulting take place in Herning in August, you can watch lots of equestrian sports at Zibrasport Equest. We will stream all non-championship- classes (international dressage and jumping) from the event plus clinics etc. The Championships can be seen on national TV or Clip My Horse.
Behind the scenes with Riders Corner
The World Cup is a fantastic set-up, and a lot will happen in the 9 days that Herning becomes the center of the equestrian sport. Keep an eye out for Riders Corner directly from the showground, where journalist and TV anchor, Louise Rømer, is ready with current guests and updates on the exciting news from the championships. Riders Corner will be live streamed twice a days during the event.
Riders Corner, Louise Rømer and Anna Kasprzak. Photo: Zibrasport Equest
Watch LIVE
Preliminary streaming program for non championship competitions on Zibrasport Equest during the World Championship (there can be changes). Programme for clinics etc. will follow:
Friday August 5 08:00 – 10:00 Dressage Junior Individual, CDI-J 12:00 – 16:00 Jumping Small Tour, CSI2* 16:30 – 20:30 Matzen Tegl Jumping Big Tour (GP Qual.), CSI2*
Saturday August 6 08:00 – 10:00 Trolle Company Dressage YR Individual, CDI-YR 12:00 – 16:00 Jumping Small Tour, CSI2* 16:30 – 20:30 Matzen Tegl Jumping Big Tour (GP Qual), CSI2*
Sunday August 7 08:00 – 10:00 DK Company Dressage Junior Freestyle, CDI-J 11:00 – 13:00 Dressage U-25 Individual, CDI-U25 15:30 – 19:30 Jumping Small Tour Final, CSI2*
Monday August 8 08:00 – 10:00 Trolle Company Dressage CDI-YR Freestyle 10:30 – 12:30 Dressurens Venner Dressage CDI-U25 Freestyle 09:00 – 12:00 Jumping Big Tour Grand Prix, CSI2*
Wednesday August 10 20:00 – 22:00 KRAFFT Jumping Tour of Amateurs, CSI-AM
Thursday August 11 17:00 – 20:30 BEMER Int. AG Jumping Medium Tour, CSI3*
Friday August 12 08:00 – 11:30 BEMER Int. AG Jumping Medium Tour, CSI3* 12:30 – 14:00 Mustang Pony Trophy 15:00 – 18:00 Rich Stables Jumping Big Tour, CSI3*
Saturday August 13 08:00 – 10:00 KRAFFT Jumping Tour of Amateurs, CSI-AM 12:00 – 15:30 Jumping Big Tour, CSI3* 16:30 – 18:00 Mustang Pony Trophy 17:00 – 19:30 BEMER Int. AG Jumping Medium Tour Final, CSI3*
Sunday August 14 09:00 – 11:30 Global Trucks Jumping Big Tour Grand Prix, CSI3*
ICEHORSE FESTIVAL is the largest indoor WRL-competition for Icelandic horses in the world. More than 280 riders will compete in both Sport A and Sport B classes during the 4 days of celebration of the Icelandic horses in Messecenter Herning, Denmark.
You will be entertained by the Stallionshow and Futurity Class for young talents and of course lots of topsport.
More than 250 Icelandic horses!
International Riders
Sport A and B classes
Entertainment
Huge stallionshow
Futurity Class for young talents
The festival is taking place in the Equsana Arena in exhibition hall M in MCH Herning, Denmark 7. – 10. April 2022.
Already the most decorated equestrian athlete of all time, the German superstar returns this week to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2022 to defend the title she first claimed with Fabienne in Gothenburg (SWE) back in 1992. And it will be a poignant event for the 52-year-old rider because her great mare, Weihegold OLD, will be retired after next Saturday’s Freestyle.
The pair are defending three-time champions having proven unbeatable in Omaha (USA) in 2017, in Paris (FRA) in 2018 and at the last Final staged in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2019 before the pandemic took its toll. We will never know if their strike-rate would have continued had the 2020 and 2021 Finals been staged, but they will still make more history if they could pull off one more win this week on home ground in Leipzig (GER).
Most victories
The Netherlands’ Anky van Grunsven holds the record for the most victories in the series that this year celebrates its 35th season. The Dutch rider racked up a colossal nine wins with two great horses, Bonfire and Salinero, between 1995 and 2008 but she never managed four-in-a-row.
If Werth and Weihegold come out on top they will be the first to do just that, bringing their partnership to the perfect conclusion. But the 17-year-old mare owes nothing to anyone when she steps into the arena this week.
At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games she clinched team gold and individual silver before going on to take all gold at the FEI European Championships in 2017 and team gold and Grand Prix Special silver at the 2021 edition.
She has made the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final all her own in recent years and at the Western European League qualifier in Lyon (FRA) last October posted her fifth consecutive win at the French fixture. However the biggest threat to her supremacy probably comes from another super mare, the 14-year-old TSF Dalera BB who has swept all before her in the recent past with Werth’s compatriot, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl in the saddle.
This pair, who top the World Dressage Rankings, go into battle this week with a full set of Olympic and European medals in their hip pocket, all collected in the last seven months, and firing on all cylinders following victories at the last two legs of the Western European League 2021/2022 in Neumünster (GER) in February and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) just three weeks ago. They will be by far the biggest threat to the entire field of 18 horse-and-rider combinations from 13 countries when the action begins with the Short Grand Prix on Thursday evening, April 7.
Really strong
The host nation looks really strong, with 2013 series champion Helen Langehanenberg also flying the home flag with Annabelle 110, but Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour is likely to pose a threat with the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos who showed huge promise when finishing second to von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera in Neumünster. The strength of the Danish contingent was quite apparent that day when Nanna Skodberg Merrald lined up in third with Atterupgaards Orthilia and Carina Cassøe Krüth finished fourth with Heiline’s Danciera, and all three Danes have made the cut to this weeks’ Final.
That supreme showman, Patrik Kittel, will be the sole Swedish contender partnering his relatively new ride Blue Hors Zepter while Charlotte Fry is the single British athlete with Dark Legend. Spain will be represented by Juan Matute Guimon (Quantico), France by Morgan Barbançon (Sir Donnerhall ll OLD), The Netherlands by Thamar Zweistra (Hexagon’s Ich Weiss) while Ashley Holzer (Havanna 145) and Anna Buffini (FRH Davinia La Douce) will fly the American flag.
Moldova’s Alisa Glinka (Aachen), Poland’s Katarzyna Milczarek (Guapo), Morocco’s Yessin Rahmouni (All at Once), Portugal’s Rodrigo Torres (Fogoso Horsecampline) and Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (Aquamarijn) round up the startlist, and the order-of-go will be decided by a draw for the Short Grand Prix on Wednesday afternoon.
Ground Jury
Germany’s Henning Lehrmann is President of the Ground Jury at this year’s Final and the remaining members are Michael Osinski (USA), Kurt Christensen (DEN), Isabelle Judet (FRA), Clive Halsall (GBR), Annette Fransen Iacobaeus (SWE) and Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode (NED).
It was an all-German podium when Werth first won the FEI Dressage World Cup™ title 30 years ago, while The Netherlands Imke Schellekens-Bartels finished second ahead of America’s Steffen Peters when she did it again in Las Vegas (USA) in 2007. America’s Laura Graves was her closest rival at the last three editions but it is compatriot von Bredow-Werndl who is likely to apply the maximum pressure this time around.
However anyone who has watched Werth throughout her career knows her will to win, and her dedication to her horses, is second to none. There will be a lot of emotion in the air when Weihegold does her last dance in next Sunday’s Freestyle. So don’t miss a hoofbeat…..
Det er i alt 37 ryttere fra 20 lande der i næste weekend skal ride om den eftertragtede titel. Den forsvarende mester Steve Guerdat melder klar til start på hesten Victorio des Frotards, med hvem han vandt finalen i 2020.
Han får dog kamp til stregen fra et stærkt felt af modstandere, blandt andre Martin Fuchs, Harrie Smolders og Marcus Ehning er også at finde til start. Vores svenske naboer Jens Fredericson med Markan Cosmopolit og Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli med Kalinka van de Nachtegale melder også stærkt klar til at vise suveræn sportsmandskab.
2021 FEI World Cup finalerne i både dressur og springning var planlagt til at blive afholdt mellem den 30. marts og 4. April i Göteborg, Sverige men måtte i sidste ende aflyses grundet EHV-1 – udbruddet i Europa.
Det bliver dermed en festdag uden lige når dørene endelig igen kan slåes op til en storslået finaleweekend i Tyskland.
In 2017 the Cathrine Dufour and Atterupfaards Cassidy won the FEI Dressage World Cup™ at the same venue and tonight in front of an enthusiastic home crowd they showed a foot perfect freestyle owning them 87,115% from the five judges. The home crowd rose to their feet – cheering her and Cassidy on.
Cathrine Dufour: ”With Carina’s score, there was quite big pressure on us when we entered the ring. But we had some extra few seconds before the start, so when I picked up canter, he felt really sharp. And then the Danish crowd is fantastic. It is just breath-taking. Since this is one of Cassidy’s last shows, it was special to go in there and show that he is still sharp. I know that he is in really good shape, and he can do it – and he really proved that today. I am super proud of him”.
Carina Cassøe Krüth and her 10-year-old mare Heiline’s Danciera by Fürstenball danced together in their difficult freestyle, making everything seem easy and smooth. With a score of 86,395% her personal best, she ended second after her teammate from the Olympics in Tokyo, Cathrine Dufour.
Carina Cassøe Krüth: “She is just a super good friend in there. She is so honest, and she does everything I want from her, and even more. – She is just amazing. When the audience started clapping it was quite early, so I though ‘well you are going to do that for a while’, but it was very cool, and I think the Danish audience knows by now that they can applause as she likes it”.
The Dutch rider Dinja van Liere and her only 9-year-old stallion Hermes by Easy Game did their first indoor show in Herning, and she was very pleased with her ride in the freestyle earning her a third place with a score of 84,360%.
Dinja van Liere: “I was very pleased with him, and he did a very good job. Yesterday we had a couple of mistakes, but it was the first time we did the short Grand Prix. He doesn’t have that much experience, so I was very happy today and he did a really good freestyle test.
He was a bit impressed by the audience, but he was very cool in there. He is very handsome, and he knows it. I am just very proud of him”.
Cathrine Dufour burst into tears after her ride, it was an amasing and special feeling for her. Since she was a junior-rider Atterupgaards Cassidy by Caprimond has been her partner, and emotions ran high when she entered the arena for the prize giving ceremony.
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ in Herning was also the debut of the new version of the short Grand Prix – this short Grand Prix will be used throughout the World Cup season. Cathrine Dufour states: “I am really positive as I find it horse-friendly that we can ride the short Grand Prix. Of course, you have to get out there from the very first second and a single mistake can cause a huge drop in the marks, but I am really pleased with it. I think it is very fun to do something else. I find it fun.”
Judge at C, Hans-Christian Matthiesen congratulated the riders with some wonderful freestyle test. On the short Grand Prix he commented: “I look for the good flow in a test and in this test I found it. It makes the sport more exciting, but it is a tough test.”
The riders praised the organisation, and the quality of the venue and stabling – the friendliness of everybody involved was highly applauded by the riders.
Cathrine Dufour: “From a rider’s perspective, this is one of my favourites shows not only because it is on Danish soil – everything from the stables to the training areas. People are so friendly and always helpful. It is really a fantastic way to start the season.”
Dinja van Liere agreed with Dufour and commented: “I think this is a good first World Cup and really well organised. I think it puts a lot of pressure on the other shows to keep up with the high performance. It was very nice to be here, and I am going home with a wonderful feeling.”
Together with Casper Cassøe, Jens Trabjerg is the organiser of the World Cup Herning as well as the ECCO FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning. Jens Trabjerg states: “I would like to thank the amazing audience. The audience even stays for the prize giving ceremony. I hope that all of you riders have a note in your calendar in August next year for the Herning2022 World Championships.”
All three riders stated how they will aim for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ final in Leipzig, Germany in April.
The result of the first leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Herning:
