TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published April 3, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour has jumped from 25th to 1st in the FEI Dressage World Rankings, setting a new record for the largest climb to the top spot in the sport’s history.
What Happened
Danish Olympic medalist Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour has claimed the world number one spot in the FEI Dressage World Rankings, making one of the most significant climbs in the sport’s history. In the most recent update, Laudrup-Dufour surged from 25th position to the top of the leaderboard, according to an FEI press release.
This record-breaking ascent was fueled by a dominant performance on her home turf in Herning, Denmark. During the March 2026 CDI5* competition, Laudrup-Dufour secured two major victories, earning her a massive 695-point gain. This leap far surpasses the previous record for a move into the top spot, which was held by Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry, who moved from fourth to first in early 2023.
Laudrup-Dufour’s partner, Mount St John Freestyle, also moved to the top of the FEI Dressage World Rankings for horses.
Why It Matters
This shift in the rankings signals a changing of the guard at the very top of international dressage. A jump from 25th to first is statistically rare in a sport where the top tiers are often dominated by consistent veterans like Isabell Werth and Charlotte Fry. For the broader dressage community, this highlights the impact of the new partnership between Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle (formerly competed by Charlotte Dujardin). Their rapid integration suggests the pair has achieved a level of technical harmony traditionally expected to take years to develop. Laudrup-Dufour herself noted her recent tests in Frankfurt and Herning felt like a "higher level" of partnership, describing the mare as her "soul partner."
This development serves as a case study for riders and trainers in how targeted, high-scoring performances at 5* events can drastically reshape global standings in a single month. The CDI5* in Herning, Denmark, representing the pinnacle of international dressage, offers the highest points available under the FEI weighting system. Behind Laudrup-Dufour, the rankings remain incredibly tight, with only 18 points separating the second through fourth positions.
This news primarily impacts the Dressage discipline at the international and Grand Prix levels. As riders prepare for major championships later in the year, the current rankings influence starting orders and seedings. The dominance of Mount St John Freestyle also brings renewed attention to the breeding and management of top-tier dressage mares in the sport.
With current world standings shifted, the leaderboard now looks as follows:
- Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (Denmark)
- Justin Verboomen (Belgium): 1,929 points
- Isabell Werth (Germany): 1,927 points
- Charlotte Fry (Great Britain): 1,911 points
- Becky Moody (Great Britain): 1,786 points
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.