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Krieghoff Trophy 2026 – an Unforgettable Weekend
Last weekend, all WOCS ambassadors traveled to Dornsberg Schützen for the 2026 Krieghoff Trophy, an event that will be remembered for all the right reasons.
This year’s edition marked the return of the Krieghoff Trophy after a remarkable 20-year absence. Ever since rumors started circulating that none other than Ben Husthwaite would be there for the course design and target setting, anticipation for this event had been building. Combining one of Europe’s most beautiful shooting grounds with Ben as the course designers was simply too good an opportunity to miss.
And what an event it turned out to be!
World-Class Targets at a World-Class Venue
The weather could hardly have been better. Saturday brought sunshine and temperatures around 25°C, while Sunday was even warmer. Although there was more wind than many shooters had hoped for, the targets remained fair throughout the weekend.
What stood out most was the balance of the course design. Every target was technical and demanded proper execution, but none felt unfair. Success wasn’t determined by luck. Good scores came from skill, consistency, and correct decision-making. It was exactly the type of challenge we personaly hope to find at a major international event.
One of the highlights came on the B Layout during the second day. Here, shooters were presented with the now-famous “Krieghoff Target Impossible”, an enormous right-to-left crosser estimated at around 70 to 80 meters. Those who managed to break it were rewarded with a special Krieghoff badge to commemorate the achievement. It was a small touch, but details like this are what make certain events stand out from the crowd.
Krieghoff’s Presence Throughout the Event
As title sponsor, Krieghoff made a strong contribution to the weekend. Their stand was present throughout the event, complete with factory representatives and a gunsmith available for anyone requiring assistance with their firearm.
Shooters also had the opportunity to test a variety of Krieghoff shotguns during the weekend, allowing them to experience different models on site. Along the course, Krieghoff branding, banners, flags, and even sponsored refreshments added to the professional atmosphere.
Dornsberg at Its Best
The venue itself once again showcased why it is considered by many to be among the finest shooting grounds in Europe. The scenery remains breathtaking, and the hospitality was excellent throughout the weekend.
Fresh food and drinks were available in the restaurant, and the staff worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. A special thank you goes to everyone involved behind the scenes who helped make the event such a success.
From an organizational perspective, the competition ran exceptionally well. There were very few no-birds across the two days, and although a technical issue with one trap caused a short delay on the first day, the problem was resolved quickly and had minimal impact on the overall schedule.
Prizes, Raffle & Congratulations
After the competition concluded, shooters gathered for the prize ceremony and raffle. Numerous prizes were available, but the headline attraction was undoubtedly the grand prize: a brand-new Krieghoff K-80.
Congratulations to all winners for their achievements over the weekend!
Full results can be viewed via the official event results link below.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Krieghoff Trophy delivered everything we could have hoped for! Exceptional target setting, fantastic weather, first-class organization, and one of the most spectacular venues in the sport.
Events like this remind us why Dornsberg remains such a special destination for clay shooters from across Europe.
We also heard that the Krieghoff Trophy is expected to return on a two-year cycle, which will no doubt be welcomed news for those who attended this year’s edition. In addition, there are ongoing rumours that Dornsberg is expanding the shooting ground with new layouts and shooting areas. If everything goes according to plan, shooters may get their first opportunity to experience these developments at this year’s Perazzi Cup.
The future certainly looks exciting for one of Europe’s premier shooting venues.
We are already looking forward to the next event at Dornsberg Schützen and can’t wait to be back.