LONDON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Denmark's Cathrine Dufour and her 14-year-old Atterupgaards Cassidy claimed victory at the opening leg of the FEI World Cup Dressage 2017/2018 Western European League on Sunday.

Dufour, 25, who competed in a World Cup event two years ago, collected 85.945 points for the title in Herning of central Denmark.

Germany's Isabell Werth, who took triple-gold at the Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden eight weeks ago, wasn't competing her No. 1 ride, the great mare Weihegold. So the reigning FEI World Cup Dressage champion had to settle for runner-up spot with Don Johnson FRH with 83.755 points ahead of Sweden's Patrik Kittel and Delaunay OLD in third with 81.095.

The 25-year-old Dufour said, "The last time I competed in a World Cup was two years ago, and we finished second-last! So I wanted to improve on that for sure! Isabell has beaten me the whole season, but yesterday and today my horse was so relaxed and easy. "

The FEI World Cup Dressage 2017/2018 Western European League now heads for Lyon, France in two weeks time as the nine-leg series continues to play out towards the Final in Paris, France next April. Enditem

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