Vilhelmson Silfvén is Lövsta Future Challenge Final Champion 

Now in its seventh year at AGDF, the Lövsta Future Challenge Developing Grand Prix Horse Final saw its champion’s blanket awarded—fittingly—to one of the series’ own architects. The ever-popular program drew a record 51 entries across its five qualifiers in 2026.

Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén rode the nine-year-old gelding So Perfect (Sezuan x Sir Donnerhall) to the title with 71%. Canada’s Lindsay Kellock Duckworth stood reserve champion on Enterprise Farm Equestrian, LLC’s Kensington with 70.184%. Adding a third flag to the podium, Dawn White-O’Connor (USA) finished third with 68.974% on Leon.

The final, in which horses performed the FEI Young Horse Grand Prix test, took place in the main arena and offered a prize pot of $15,000. The series is open to horses from eight to 11 years old. The class encourages riders to bring their up-and-coming international quality horses out in an ornately dressed arena and championship-type atmosphere without the pressures of a CDI. All qualifying rounds held throughout AGDF 2025 used the FEI Intermediate II test, so the final was a step up.

“It was so great that I could ride in this, to participate in the series and also promote it,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén, who has only been riding the nine-year-old So Perfect since buying him from Helgstrand Dressage in June 2025. “Initially, we started the developing young horse classes in Sweden in 2011 because we saw how popular they were in Germany. Then we wanted to give something back to the place we live in the winter."

Vilhelmson Silfvén and her long-time collaborator, Lövsta Stuteri’s owner Antonia Ax:son Johnson, announced that they will donate Vilhelmson Silfvén’s prize money and funds totalling $6,000 to Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center to facilitate the running of a summer camp for children in care.

A grooms prize was awarded to each of the caregivers of the top three horses. Vilhelmson Silfvén’s groom Anna Forsman was handed a check for $1,500, with both Kellock Duckworth’s groom Brianna Larkin and White-O’Connor’s groom Francisco Tomas each picking up a $750 prize.

Reserve champion Kellock Duckworth gave birth to her second child just five months ago, but still felt that the 11-year-old Kensington (Vivaldi x Sir Sinclair) was on top form in the final, even though she had a break from riding him.

“It was his second time in the stadium, and he brought his A-game for me,” she said. “He’s the best partner I could ask for. He’s kind of picking me up as we go along, so I’m super proud of him. It’s great to be able to go in there with a developing grand prix horse and not feel the pressure but still be able to check in with everything like the piaffe and the one-times and see where they’re at in this environment.”

White O’Connor, who piloted Four Winds Farm’s nine-year-old Leon (Decor Ferdinand x Rubiquil), echoed the sentiments, adding, “It’s a great class to get him in there with more atmosphere than just showing in the national rings. It’s a good bridge into the bigger classes.”