Nordic-Baltic Championships 2026: Denmark and Sweden Share the Honours in a Spectacular Nine Days of Sport in Strömsholm

The 2026 Nordic-Baltic Equestrian Championships concluded this week, after nine days of competition in historic Strömsholm, Sweden, bringing together hundreds of athletes from across Northern Europe for one of the continent's most important regional championships.

Held under the auspices of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), the 2026 championships welcomed riders from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden to compete in Dressage, Para Dressage and Jumping. Set against the backdrop of the centuries-old equestrian traditions of Strömsholm, the event once again demonstrated the importance of regional championships in developing future international athletes while strengthening sporting cooperation and friendship across the Nordic and Baltic region.

The championships opened with a midsummer-themed ceremony featuring flower-adorned horses circling a maypole, speeches, singing and enthusiastic support from spectators.

"Fight well, but above all put the horses welfare first," said Camilla Sjölund Lundevall, President of the Swedish Equestrian Federation, as she officially opened the championships.

Over the course of nine days, Denmark and Sweden emerged as the dominant nations, with Denmark excelling particularly in dressage and individual jumping competitions, while Sweden proved strongest in para dressage and jumping team events. Estonia, Finland and Norway also celebrated notable successes, underlining the growing depth of equestrian sport across the region.

Denmark Dominates Dressage
The dressage competitions belonged largely to Denmark, which established itself as the leading nation from the opening day. The Senior Team Championship went to Denmark on 200.673%, narrowly ahead of Sweden on 200.434%, with Norway taking bronze. Denmark also won team gold in the Pony II, Junior and Young Rider divisions, while Sweden secured the Pony I and U25 team titles.

"It has been such a beautiful place and it's been a very good day for Denmark," Danish Chef d'Équipe Julie Brøggler said after the opening day of competition.

Several Danish combinations enjoyed exceptional championships. Clara Cordes Arnkjaer and Brianna completed a remarkable campaign in the Young Rider division, adding both individual and freestyle gold medals to Denmark's team title. After securing her third gold medal, Arnkjaer reflected: "I'm very happy and I'm very proud of what we have delivered this week. She was with me all the time and we did it together."

Another standout performer was Cecilie Dybro Jensen, whose partnership with Zagori produced gold medals in both the Senior Individual Championship and the Senior Freestyle. "I'm so, so proud of my horse," she said after her first victory. "I'm really happy he is giving his all."

In the Junior division, Sofie Aagaard Buur-Thomsen and Hodja Hoejris secured both the individual and freestyle titles for Denmark, while Sweden enjoyed success in the Pony I category through Wilma Holmgren, who won the individual title with Neverland WE, and Samantha Arnbäck, who claimed freestyle gold aboard Mister Prime Time. Denmark's Nova Rønne Therkelsen and Donnerblitz CV dominated the Pony II division, securing both championship titles.

The Children's championship belonged to host nation Sweden, with Engla Svärd and Hamiltons I Did It My Way taking gold ahead of compatriot Viggo Bornhager, while Estonia celebrated its first medal of the championships through Marta Johanna Lepiksoo's bronze medal aboard Beyonce.

Sweden also enjoyed considerable success in the U25 division, where Mary Sophie Haid Bondergaard and St. Louis captured both the individual and freestyle titles. "The freestyle actually isn't his freestyle, I borrowed it from my mum and we did some quick adjustments last night," she said after victory. "It was exciting to see how it would go now that I'd changed it, but it went super well and I'm super happy."

Swedish Success in Para Dressage
The host nation proved dominant in para dressage, securing the team championship on 426.105% ahead of Denmark and Norway.

Pam Svane and Raja completed a championship double in Grade III, winning the individual championship on 71.734% before returning to claim freestyle gold on 75.600%.

"I had a nice feeling. The arena is very pretty and it's fun to be here to compete," Svane said after her first victory. "She was a little tense, there is quite a lot to look at around here but she did well."

Another Swedish double came in Grade IV, where Louise Etzner Jakobsson and Goldstrike B.J. topped both the individual and freestyle championships. Norway's Christina Marcussen and Zorro Hoejris proved unbeatable in Grade V, securing both gold medals ahead of compatriot Mira Antonsen Hjelle.

By the end of the para dressage championships, Sweden had firmly established itself as the leading nation, while Norway's strength in Grade V provided another highlight of the competition.

Swedish Team Strength Meets Danish Individual Success in Jumping
The jumping competitions brought together riders from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden and produced some of the most exciting moments of the championships.

Sweden emerged as the strongest nation in the team competitions, claiming four of the six available titles. Team gold medals went to Sweden in the Young Rider, Senior, Pony I and Pony II divisions, while Denmark prevailed in the Junior and Children's championships.

"They've delivered very stable rounds, that's what stands out," Swedish Young Rider Chef d'Équipe Anna-Clara Pettersson said after her team's victory. "We were more stable than the others."

For Sweden's Pony teams, Chef d'Équipe Sofia Bengtsberg highlighted the importance of the championships for future development. "These are young riders who have many years in front of them and it bodes well for the future," she said. "It's so valuable, this has been a big goal for many of them but it also means so much in terms of experience for the future."

The individual championships, however, belonged largely to Denmark. Danish riders achieved a clean sweep of the Junior podium, led by Malou Therese Mulbjerg Larsen and Tannenberg Dree Boeken. Maria Barnewitz Schou and Apoclaire secured the Senior title ahead of Sweden's Ella Löfqvist and Philip Svitzer.

"Well I hoped for a medal but you can never really expect a medal because there's a lot of great riders here and you can always make a mistake," Barnewitz Schou said after her victory. "But I definitely hoped for a medal and the gold one I accept."

Sweden responded with victories in the Young Rider and Pony II championships, where Linn Arvidsson and Clark Kent HE and Lisen Håkansson-Bringby and She's a Diva claimed gold medals respectively. Estonia also celebrated a historic moment when Grete Veske secured bronze in the Young Rider championship aboard Apple Jack Db Z.

"I still can't really quite believe it. It feels amazing," Veske said after the competition. "He's really special to me and I'm just so proud of him."

Denmark's Sille Hartvig Nielsen and O'Brian One secured the Pony I title, while Rebekka Sehestedt Juul completed a memorable championship by adding the Children's title aboard Imcarthina to her Pony I silver medal. Norway also celebrated a podium finish through Bertine Hagen Berentsen, who secured Children's silver.

"She's jumped brilliantly with lots and lots of amazing rounds here," Sehestedt Juul said after securing gold. "I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be here."
 

A Championship Built on Development and Cooperation
As the 2026 Nordic-Baltic Equestrian Championships came to a close, the event once again demonstrated the value of regional championships in developing athletes, horses and sporting cooperation across Europe.

Denmark concluded the championships as the most successful nation overall, dominating the dressage arena and individual jumping competitions, while Sweden excelled in para dressage and team jumping on home soil. Finland, Norway and Estonia also celebrated important successes, underlining the increasing depth and competitiveness of equestrian sport throughout the Nordic and Baltic region.

The European Equestrian Federation congratulates all athletes, horses, officials, volunteers and organisers on the successful delivery of the 2026 Nordic-Baltic Equestrian Championships and looks forward to the continued growth and development of this important regional championship.

Full Results
For those who missed the action or want to relive the highlights, full competition results are available here.

For exclusive behind-the-secnes coverage, visit the official instagram @nordicbalticech
 
Learn more about the event here.