Sara Hyrm winner of Lövsta Future Challenge International Tour in Gothenburg

Danish rider Sara Aagaard Hyrm with the family owned 10-year-old Atterupgaards Cooper took the third and last victory in the Lövsta Future Challenge at Gothenburg Horse Show. The class is one of three independent events all arranged in conjunction with the FEI Dressage World Cup in Herning and Amsterdam. Runner-up was Swedish home rider Cecilia Bergåkra and My Friend (SWB) and third was Quinty Vossers and Inferno.

Thursday’s winner, Sara Aagaard Hyrm, and Atterupgaards Cooper claimed victory in Scandinavium last year. On Friday, the experienced pair entered the arena and delivered a precise, mistake-free performance. It was clear that the Danish rider was there to defend her previous year’s title, and when the class concluded, Sara had once again secured the win with a score of 73.840 percent.

"It felt amazing to win again this year! Lövsta Future Challenge is a great opportunity for young riders, and I’m very grateful to compete alongside World Cup riders," says Sara Aagaard Hyrm, who is now preparing for Aachen.

"It was worth it today."

Cecilia Bergåkra and My Friend finished third in the opening Grand Prix and promised a powerful freestyle performance in her interview with the Swedish Equestrian Federation. And what a performance it was! Every movement was executed with confidence to the tunes of Zara Larsson and Lana Del Rey. Cecilia concluded her ride by cantering down the centerline one-handed, signaling to the audience to clap along to the music. The crowd responded enthusiastically, making the arena buzz in the final moments of the performance. The ride earned 70.590 percent, marking a new personal best for the pair in international freestyle, despite deductions for the hand gesture.

"It was a good lesson that you’re not allowed to hype up the audience, and now I know for the future. But it was worth it today," says Cecilia Bergåkra.

After her younger sister Emilia Bergåkra rode My Friend in the children’s divisions, the sisters decided to swap horses, pairing Cecilia with her new companion.

"Maya is a fantastic horse with a great sense of humor and truly lives up to her name, My Friend," says Cecilia Bergåkra.

Dutch rider Quinty Vossers secured third place with a score of 70.300 percent. Swedish riders Siri Ehrnroot and Evelina Söderström finished fifth and seventh, respectively.

Results – Lövsta Future Challenge Dressage International Tour U25 Grand Prix Freestyle
🥇 Sara Aagaard Hyrm / Atterupgaards Cooper (Denmark) – 73.840%
🥈 Cecilia Bergåkra / My Friend (Sweden) – 70.590%
🥉 Quinty Vossers / Inferno (Netherlands) – 70.300%