Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and her horse Mount St John Freestyle achieved a new personal best score of 84.17% to win the grand prix at the Herning CDI5* on 6 March 2026. The pair followed up with a victory in the grand prix freestyle the next day, scoring 90.47%. Laudrup-Dufour described the performances as unforgettable.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, a Danish Olympic dressage rider, partnered with the 17-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle to secure a winning score of 84.17% in the grand prix class at the Herning CDI5* on 6 March 2026. This marked a new personal best for the duo, who outperformed Germany's Isabell Werth and Wendy De Fontaine, who placed second with 81.91%.
Laudrup-Dufour, who co-owns the Fidermark daughter with the Zinglersen family and Emma Blundell, expressed her astonishment after the ride. "How was today even possible? Today’s ride with our lovely Mount St John Freestyle is a grand prix I’ll never forget," she said. "She was just perfect. As simple as that. For ever grateful for you, Free. Congrats on your personal best."
The performance earned perfect 10s from judges, including from Britain's Isobel Wessels at E for the final canter pirouette and trot transitions. Laudrup-Dufour's coach, Kyra Kyrklund, commented, "Now I finally know how an excellent canter to trot transition looks like," noting it was the first time she had seen a 10 awarded for that movement.
On 7 March, the pair won the grand prix freestyle with a score of 90.47%. Laudrup-Dufour praised the mare as "one in a billion," adding, "How proud, honoured and lucky we feel to have you in our life. For ever thankful for this weekend with you. [It] feels like this is once in a lifetime. Thanks to everyone in our amazing team."
Laudrup-Dufour and Freestyle have been competing together since 2023. In 2024, they won team and individual silver medals at the Paris Olympics and double individual silver at the European Championships in Crozet. Previously, Freestyle earned individual bronze and contributed to the British team's bronze at the 2018 World Equestrian Games under Charlotte Dujardin. The partnership is now targeting the 2026 World Championships in Aachen.
