GOTHENBURG, Sweden – Maria von Essen of Sweden achieved a personal best score on Saturday, February 21, 2026, winning the World Cup Freestyle at the Gothenburg Horse Show. Riding Invoice, the pair’s performance of 82.645% positions von Essen as a strong contender for an invitation to the championship Final in Fort Worth, Texas. The victory marks a significant moment for the Swedish rider and her 14-year-traditional gelding, building on their growing success in the international dressage circuit.
The competition saw a close finish, with fellow Swede Patrik Kittel and his 2024 World Cup title mount, Touchdown, closely trailing behind with a score of 81.920%. Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth rounded out the top three, achieving 81.240% with Heiline’s Danciera. The Gothenburg Horse Show, a prominent event in the equestrian calendar, continues to showcase top-tier dressage talent, attracting riders and spectators from across Europe and beyond.
This result is particularly significant as it’s the second-to-last Western European qualifier for the World Cup Final. According to results reported by Dressage-News.com, Patrik Kittel’s performance has moved him into second place in the Western European League standings with 64 points, trailing Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis. The final qualifying event is scheduled for ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, from March 12-15, where riders will compete for the remaining spots in the prestigious Final.
Von Essen’s score of 82.645% not only secured her the win in Gothenburg but also earned her 20 points towards her qualification for the Fort Worth Final. The invitation process for the Final typically includes the top nine riders from Western Europe. Isabell Werth, who recently secured a victory in Wellington, Florida, is also in contention, though her participation remains uncertain as of February 21, 2026.
Detailed Results from Gothenburg
The Gothenburg Horse Show showcased a competitive field of dressage riders. Here’s a breakdown of the top eight finishers:
| Rank | Competitor | Nation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria von Essen & Invoice | Sweden | 82.645% |
| 2 | Patrik Kittel & Touchdown | Sweden | 81.920% |
| 3 | Carina Cassøe Krüth & Heiline’s Danciera | Denmark | 81.240% |
| 4 | Sara Aagaard Hyrm & Atterupgaards Cooper | Denmark | 75.050% |
| 5 | Anna Zibrandtsen & Quel Filou | Denmark | 74.245% |
| 6 | Cecilie Dybro Jensenden & Zagori | Denmark | 73.825% |
| 7 | Carl Hedin & Van der Veen | Sweden | 71.540% |
| 8 | Marsja Dijkmanned & Beaujolais | Netherlands | 64.425% |
The Road to Fort Worth
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas, represents the pinnacle of competition for dressage riders in the Western European League. The event, as detailed on the Gothenburg Horse Show website, draws the highest-ranked combinations throughout the season. The Western European League has a long history, with the Gothenburg Horse Show having hosted the Final multiple times, including in 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2013, 2016, and 2019. Notably, Sweden’s Louise Nathhorst and Walk on Top won the Final in Gothenburg in 1998, and Germany’s Isabell Werth claimed victory in 2019.
The Gothenburg Horse Show also saw a record-breaking performance by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who achieved a score of 91.140% in 2025 – the highest ever recorded in Sweden. Von Essen’s recent performance, building on her progress since 2024, demonstrates the growing strength of Swedish dressage.
With only one qualifying event remaining in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the competition for the remaining spots in the Fort Worth Final will be intense. Riders will be looking to maximize their scores and secure their place among the elite dressage competitors. The outcome of the final qualifier will determine which nine Western European riders will advance to compete for the World Cup title in Texas.
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