TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published April 3, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour has made a historic jump from 25th to 1st in the FEI Dressage World Rankings, with her mount Mount St John Freestyle also taking the top spot for horses.
What Happened
Danish dressage star Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour has claimed the top spot in the FEI Dressage World Rankings, jumping from 25th to first place in the latest update. This remarkable ascent sets a new record for the largest leap to the world number one position, surpassing the previous record held by Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry, who moved from fourth to first in 2023.
Laudrup-Dufour’s rise was powered by a dominant performance at the CDI5 Herning in March 2026. Riding the 17-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle, Laudrup-Dufour achieved a personal best Grand Prix score of 84.17% and secured a Freestyle victory with 90.47%. These results not only propelled the rider to the top but also earned Mount St John Freestyle the title of world number one dressage horse, overtaking Justin Verboomen’s Zonink Plus.
Why It Matters
For the dressage community, Laudrup-Dufour’s achievement signals a shift in the global competitive landscape. She remains the only Danish athlete to have ever held the world number one ranking, a position she previously held for a brief stint in early 2025. Her return to the top underscores the importance of consistent, high-scoring performances at the CDI5 level and the impact of a strong partnership between rider and horse.
The record-breaking jump from 25th to 1st also highlights how the FEI ranking system rewards peak performance at major qualifiers. For trainers and riders, this serves as a reminder that a single weekend of exceptional scores can drastically alter a rider's standing on the world stage. Furthermore, the success of the 17-year-old Mount St John Freestyle demonstrates the longevity and resilience of top-tier dressage horses when managed with elite care and training.
Discipline Context
This development is a significant storyline for International Dressage. As riders eye major championships and Olympic qualifications, the world rankings serve as a barometer for current form. The current top five is a "who's who" of the sport's elite, featuring Justin Verboomen (Belgium), Isabell Werth (Germany), Lottie Fry (Great Britain), and Becky Moody (Great Britain).
The ascent of Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle places them as the pair to beat in the 2026 season. For U.S. dressage enthusiasts, monitoring these European shifts is vital, as these benchmarks define the scores required to remain competitive in global high-performance circles.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.