October 22, 2026 
We’re one leg into the FEI Dressage World Cup Western European League. Is it too soon to call a favorite?
Yes.
Is it ridiculous to even consider making a prediction on the eventual winner?
Absolutely.
Are we’re doing it anyway?
Also, yes.
With many months and unpredictable caveats to come before the 2027 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next March, we’re putting our prediction out now: 2027 is Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle year for the title.
Now as far as going out on limbs, that’s hardly a stretch.
Laudrup-Dufour is the current world no. 1 and has won 23 of her 31 international starts with the mare since taking over the reins from Charlotte Dujardin. Only once in all those appearances have they finished off the podium—a fifth place finish. At the Olympics.
But it’s their championship record that makes a compelling argument for the World Cup title.
Laudrup-Dufour competes the mare sparingly. Just four competitions a year on average. But when they do, they do it with intent. Every year, since 2024, the Danish rider has aimed at one championship. It was the Paris Olympics in 2024. The European championships in 2025. The World championships in 2026.
Every time, they’ve brought home a medal—or three.
They captured team silver at Paris 2024. Individual (Grand Prix Special and Freestyle) and team silvers at Crozet 2025. Team bronze and double individual silvers at Aachen 2026.
In 2027, Laudrup-Dufour is aiming Mount St. John Freestyle at the World Cup Final.
And going off their first qualifier, they’re well on track.
The Danish pair started the World Cup season the same way they have every qualifier prior—with a win. (They’ve never lost a World Cup qualifier.)
Even with a small mistake in the two-tempi changes, they danced to a score of 90% in the Freestyle—earning several nines and tens for their outstanding piaffe, passage and pirouettes—to take the victory and the maximum 20 qualifying points. They also won Friday’s Grand Prix by a convincing margin.
“The crowd gave us wings today,” said Laudrup-Dufour. “I haven’t done much work with her since the World Championships, because she is already 17. Yesterday we rode in the arena, and she just did it. Today I could go in with a big smile, just play around and have fun. I’m very grateful for that. Freestyle has shown that she still gets butterflies in her stomach when she enters an arena like this and sees the judges sitting at C. She just keeps on giving.”
At 17, Mount St. John Freestyle’s championship opportunities are dwindling and the upcoming World Cup Final could be their last chance to capture the gold and complete their medal collection. But based on history, they tend to accomplish what they set out to do.
The Western European League next stops in Lyon, France on October 29 and 30.
