Cecilia Bergåkra Makes History in Gothenburg as First Swede to win Lövsta Future Challenge International Tour

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2026 CDI-W Gothenburg

Swedish U25 rider Cecilia Bergåkra secured a historic victory on Thursday 20 February 2026, winning the U25 Grand Prix and Kur to Music at Gothenburg Horse Show CDI-W, claiming the overall title in the Lövsta Future Challenge International Tour for Under 25 Grand Prix riders. She is the first Swedish rider to do so.

Competing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Bergåkra topped the class aboard her 15-year-old mare My Friend, known as “Maya,” with a score of 69.667% in the U25 Grand Prix, followed by a winning 75.080 % in the Kur to Music. The result marks a major milestone, as no Swedish rider had previously won the international series.

“Maya was extremely hot during yesterday’s test, but I’m very proud she stayed focused throughout. The audience in Gothenburg is truly something special,” Bergåkra said.

My Friend is a family-bred horse owned by Cecilia together with her sisters Emilia and Olivia.

Strong Start to 2026 Season

Bergåkra opened the season with two second-place finishes at the Lövsta Future Challenge in Jumping Amsterdam in January, where she also achieved a new international personal best of 76.575% in the freestyle.

Those results moved her up to fifth place on the FEI U25 World Ranking List in early February with My Friend.

Last week she continued her winning form by taking victory in the Grand Prix at a national show at Randbøl Dressage Academy in Denmark before adding her historic win in Gothenburg.

Success for NorCordia Riders

NorCordia has also seen strong early-season results from its international riders.

German team rider Raphael Netz and the NorCordia-owned mare Sola Diva made their Grand Prix debut together in January in Ankum, finishing second with 71% before winning the Grand Prix Special. In February, the pair continued their form with further podium finishes and a Grand Prix victory in Stadl-Paura.

Looking Ahead

Later this spring, Bergåkra is expected to present My Friend in senior international Grand Prix for the first time at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning.