Patrik Kittel: 2024 Dressage World Cup Champion

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April, Patrik Kittel became only the second Swedish winner of the FEI Dressage World Cup Final and only the fifth man to claim the title in the 37-year history of the prestigious event. Swedish rider and one of Patrik’s trainers, Louise Nathorst, won with Walk On Top in 1998. Patrik and Touchdown follow a small but illustrious group of men to claim the title. Sven Rothenberger and Andiamo in 1990, Steffen Peters and Ravel in 2009, Edward Gal and Totilas in 2010 and Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt in 2016.

Patrik has ridden for Sweden at three Olympic Games, Beijing in 2008, London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, and three World Championships. He won individual bronze at the 2011 European Championships riding Scandic, and Team Bronze in 2017 with Delaunay, and in 2019 he rode Well Done de la Roche. He has been fourth twice at the World Cup Final, in Gothenburg in 2016 with Scandic and Paris in 2018 with Deja. He finished third in the ‘23/’24 Western European League from six World Cup outings, and heading to his ninth Final Patrik had never finished on the podium, but this time he made it to the top with Touchdown.

Horse Deals caught up with Patrik to talk about Touchdown and their World Cup Final experience and victory. Interestingly, the 12-year-old gelding, bred by the Skeppstrand family, is a Swedish Warmblood by Quarterback who is a grandson of Kristy Oatley-Nist’s Olympic and World Championship ride, Quando Quando. He is out of the Swedish elite mare La Mour by Sack. He is Swedish-bred, ridden and owned, but let Patrik tell the story.

“Touchdown came to my stable as a seven-year-old, and at the time I didn’t pay too much attention to him. Our rider, Malin Nilsson, rode him, and she just quietly worked him, and he started to develop. In the meantime, I did a clinic in Sweden and after, I got a message from Anna Forslund who said she saw the clinic, loved the way I ride and would like to buy me a horse. People often say things like that, so I didn’t think it was a serious offer. But then we met up, and I said, OK, when I find a horse, I’ll contact you. Six or seven months later, I tried Touchdown, and I was impressed. I messaged Anna and said, I have this horse; he has such a good character, and I really like him. She said ‘I’ll buy him for you.’ I vetted him, and she didn’t even look at the vet report; she trusted me completely, and she bought him, and we have been happy ever since. Anna is an amazing horse owner; she goes to all the shows and never interferes. She doesn’t mind me riding other horses; she is a dream come true owner. Anna and her sister came to Riyadh and were so supportive. They have so much compassion for Touchdown and for me; I am very lucky to have them as owners. Touchdown made his international debut with me in September ’21.

“The Final was really nice. I am always a bit nervous when flying horses, but the show was top-notch. The horses had huge boxes, and it was all air-conditioned, so there was no issue with the heat. We lived within walking distance from the show, and the grooms had a five-star hotel. But when you go to a show like this a week before, it is always difficult. On the first training day they were still building, and there was a lot of hammering and banging. Touchdown got scared, and it took me a long time to calm him down that day. There is always something at a big show like this, but you just have to manage them as best you can. Riding Touchdown is such a fun thing to do because he always tries to give you everything; whatever you are doing, he always wants to please you. That is why I fell in love with him when I first started riding him, because he always wants to be there for you.

“This was my ninth World Cup Final, and I had never been on the podium, although I had been close a couple of times. When you ride into the arena, and the announcer states that this is your ninth Final and you have not yet made the podium, you feel like a bit of a loser. But then I went in and won, which was amazing, and it is a moment I will never forget. Rather than the traditional champagne spray, because there is no alcohol in Saudi Arabia, they threw a bucket of water at me.

“I love the World Cup concept. All the shows leading up to the final are very good, as I mostly do the Western European shows, and I love riding the Freestyle. So, I think the World Cup is here to stay, as the shows are always so well supported with fully packed stands. Winning, of course, is amazing. You go to the shows and try to do your best, and the rest is just a bonus.

“Touchdown is now having a little break. He goes into the fields, and I am just giving him a little ride from time to time. We are not in full competition mode; we just play around a little bit just to regenerate. His next show will be outdoors for the Swedish Team in Rotterdam. He is one of my possible rides for Paris; I also have Jovian and Forever Young, who are both going very well also. At the end of the day, it is the horse that feels most ready, and if I am selected, that will be the one I take.

“In Riyadh our dreams came true, and we did the best we could, both of us. We fought together, and we won, which is the icing on the cake after long hours of hard, but good and happy work. A week later, I am still overwhelmed, but I feel very lucky.”

Article: Anna Sharpley.