EVO Ivy Blue Wins 2026 Danish Warmblood Young Horse Championships for 5-Year Olds

Breeding

Danish Warmblood

Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen and EVO Ivy Blue became the winners of the Danish Warmblood Championship for 5-year olds held at the 2026 Danish Warmblood Stallion Licensing in Herning on 6 - 8 March 2026.

The Format of This DWB 5-YO Championships

The Danish warmblood annually hosts its own championships for 5-year olds during the licensing in Herning. Only DWB bred and registered horses are allowed to participate.

The Championship consists of three rounds. Two in which the horses are presented by their own rider; in the first round in pairs of two and in the second round in pairs of three. The top 25 of the highest scoring horses after two rounds were test ridden by a guest judge rider. Daniel Bachmann Andersen returned as guest judge rider and reshuffled the field with his points which did not always agree with the judges' impression in the arena.

EVO Ivy Blue

The winner of the Championship was former European Under 25 champion Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen aboard EVO Ivy Blue (by Iron x Furst Heinrich). Bred and owned by Stutteri EVO, this dark bay mare won the championship by winning the first two rounds and scoring the second highest mark in the test rider round.

Strandby Hansen, who left Helgstrand Dressage to ride professionally for Stutteri EVO in November 2024, piloted Ivy Blue to top scores. In round 1 judges Heike Kemmer, Dennis Fisker, and Sven Rothenberger rewarded the mare with 8.5 for walk, 9 for trot and canter. In round 2 the same panel gave her the highest marks with 8 for walk, 9.5 for trot, 9 for canter, 9.5 for rideability and 10 for potential. Test rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen scored her 9 for rideability and 10 for potential. Her overall total was 933 points for the victory and title.

Top Three

The reserve champions are Helle Emborg and Bønnelycke Jackson M (by Jovian x Furstenball), bred by Sanne Mathiasen and owned by the rider. The pair went from a 6th place in the first round - scoring 8 for walk and canter and 8.5 for trot - to a second place in round 2 with 7.5 for walk, 9 for trot, 8 for canter and rideability and 8.5 for potential. She received the highest score of all from test rider Daniel Bachmann with two 10s for rideability and potential to boost her to second place overall.

The third place went to Karin Nissen aboard Versace Gold (by Vitalis x Zack), bred and owned by the rider. They were sixth in round 1 with 8.5 for walk and 8 for trot and canter; but dropped to 19th place in round 2 with 8 for walk, 7.5 for trot, 8 for canter, 7 for rideability and 7.5 for potential. The horse redeemed itself in the test rider round under Bachmann, where he got 9.5 for rideability and potential, which launched them to a bronze medal position.

Results - 2026 Danish Warmblood 5-YO Championship

Top 21 (all the horses that were test ridden)

1. Anne- Mette Strandby Hansen - Evo Ivy Blue (by Iron Sire Fürst Heinrich) - 933.0
2. Helle Emborg - Bønnelycke Jackson M (by Jovian x Furstenball) - 893.0
3. Karin Nissen - Versace Gold (by Vitalis x Zack) - 843.0
4. Katrine Kraglund - Hamiltons Jazzmaster (by Jameson x Don Schufro) - 836.0
5. Michael Grønne Christensen - Rahmoz Langholt (by Straight Horse Ramses x Blue Hors Don Schufro) - 833.0
6. Emily Hulgård Nielsen - Soulsister L (by Secret x Apache) - 818.0
7. Eric Guardia Martinez - Estoban Me (by Escolar x Sezuan) - 811.0
7. Selina Solberg Vittinghus - Atterupgaards Darla (by Iron x Franziskus) - 811.0
9. Camilla Stubberup - Straight Horse Delaney (by Danciero x Zack) - 809.0
10. Merita Hagren - Chantal (by Revolution x Hertug) - 798.0
11. Josefin Nilsson - Stenkærgårds Plasini (byJaneiro Platinum x Uphill) - 791.0
12. Camilla Stubberup - Goomong Recioto (by Revolution x Zack) - 783.0
13. Selina Solberg Vittinghus - Atterupgaards Dixi (by Bon Courage x Caprimond) - 779.0
14. Selina Solberg Vittinghus - Atterupgaards Jayden (y Jameson x Lord Sinclair) - 776.0
15. Michael Grønne Christensen - Teglovnens Sisal (y Jameson x Sir Donnerhall II) - 764.0
16. Bianca Lunn Springborg - Petersborg's Bossanova (by Atterupgaards Barcelo x Sezuan) - 761.0
17. Jan Møller Christensen - Jovi Havdal (by Jovian x Hesselhøj Donkey Boy) - 756.0
18. Ulrik Falbe-hansen - Rote Träume Lyng 1(by Dream Boy x Sezuan) - 755.0
19. Michaela Navrsted - Kingsly (by Blue Hors Kingston x Fürstenball) - 747.0
20. Helene Brinck - Euphoria (by Iron x Vivaldi) - 746.0
21. Liv Marie Stignæs - Svalegaard's Dicte (by De L' or x De Noir) - 714.0

Complete results here.