Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Sayn-Witgenstein-Berleburg has attended the Equestrian World Cup 2020 at the National Equestrian Center of Vilhelmsborg near the Danish city of Aarhus. Her Royal Highness attended the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix and FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle competitions, among others events over a period of three days.
The princess arrived at the National Equestrian Center of Vilhelmsborg on October 16th 2020 and was also present at events throughout the following three days The princess was received in a solemn manner in accordance with current guidelines for conducting events in Denmark during the coronavirus pandemic. Only a small number of other guests were present besides the performers and all kept a good distance.
The princess is the patron of the World Cup, which was held at Vilhelmsborg this year. The event is organized by World Cup Herning ApS and is usually held in Messecenter Herning, but due to COVID-19, the event was moved to Vilhelmsborg.
Her Royal Highness also handed over the annual “Lis Hartel’s Memorial Award” to this years winner Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak. Princess Benedikte attended and led the award-ceremony at the hall at Vilhelmsborg during the FEI World Cup.
Princess Benedikte said the following during the ceremony: “The award is given to a driver in the dressage sport. Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak has supported Danish dressage sport for many years. She has actively participated in the design of the ECCO Cup, and ECCO is the main sponsor at the World Cup in 2020. Privately, she has supported her daughter from a pony rider to a Olympic rider. Danish dressage sport would not have been so markedly international without Hanni’s tireless attention. She is thus a worthy recipient of the 2020 award.”
Princess Benedikte, who is a younger sister of Queen Margrethe of Denmark, was accompanied during the events by her daughter Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Witgenstein-Berleburg who is a well known equestrian. Princess Benedict and her family have a close relationship with the world of horse riding. Earlier this October Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg had to put down her horse Digby, which she competed on at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg is the youngest daughter and child of Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Princess Benedikte of Denmark. She is the niece of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece.
