Andreas Helgstrand

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Andreas Helgstrand
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing  Denmark
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Beijing Team dressage
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2006 Aachen Freestyle dressage
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Aachen Special dressage
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Riesenbeck Team dressage

Andreas Helgstrand (born 2 October 1977[1]) is a Danish dressage rider who gained notoriety for undercover videos of animal abuse. He won four consecutive Danish dressage championships, from 2005 through 2008.

Biography[edit]

Andreas Helgstrand was born in 1977 to Ulf Helgstrand and his wife. His father became president of the Danish Equestrian Federation in 2003.[2][3] Andreas started competitive riding aged 7 or 8, competing initially in showjumping.[4] At the age of 17, he started training as a riding master in 1994 at the Sport Riding Club in Aalborg. He passed the final exams in 2000.[5]

He has since worked as a horse trainer, riding instructor, and horse trader; first in the Netherlands with Anne van Olst, then in Kongsberg in Norway, before replacing Lars Petersen at the Blue Hors stud in Randboel, Denmark.[4][5] At the 2004 Olympics, riding Cavan, Helgstrand came in ninth in the individual and fifth in the team.[1] He finished fourth in the 2004 poll for Danish sportsperson of the year.[2]

At the 2006 World Equestrian Games, riding the mare Matiné, Helgstrand came in second in the Individual freestyle and third in the individual special. Eurodressage's report of the tournament called him "the favourite of the crowd" and said he "seemed to have redefined piaffe and passage".[6] A video of this performance (to the hip-hop song "No Mo" by Red Astaire) has circulated widely on YouTube, being seen over 5 million times.

Helgstrand withdrew from the 2007 Dressage World Cup finals in Las Vegas when Matiné twisted her left front pastern on arrival while getting out of the van.[7] She was retired from competition in the months afterward, as she was unable to recover from the injury. In 2010 she was euthanised after breaking a leg in the pasture.[8]

In 2008, Helgstrand won his fourth consecutive Danish dressage championship, on his fourth horse (Don Schufro, after Cavan, Matiné and Casmir).[9] At the 2008 Olympics, riding Don Schufro, he came in eleventh in the individual and third in the team.[1]

At the end of 2008, Helgstrand left the Blue Hors stud to start his own business, which he named Helgstrand Dressage, at Møgelmosegård near Aalborg.[10][11]

In 2010, Helgstrand rode Uno Donna Unique to victory i[12]n the 6-year-old class at the 2010 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses.[13] In 2013, he became embroiled in a dispute regarding the sale of Uno Donna Unique.[14]

Helgstrand was shortlisted for the Danish dressage team for the 2012 Olympics,[15] but was not selected.[16]

Controversies[edit]

In 2013, he came under extensive media fire regarding controversial photographs taken of him riding his horse in the disputed rollkur technique.[17]

In April 2014, Helgstrand was remained under scrutiny for animal cruelty due to alleged harsh, illegal and cruel training methods. In 2014 the Danish animal protection service summoned him for a meeting. Several Danish newspapers shared photographs from a recent event where his horse Foldagers Akeem was bleeding and had a blue tongue. [18]

On 28 November 2014, the court in Aalborg announced an acquittal in the case against Helgstrand, acquitting him of all charges. ”I am very happy about the ruling of the court; it is important for me personally, but also for the sport in general. It has been quite tough to have these accusations hovering, but my family and I are now focusing on the future instead," said Helgstrand.[19]

Following further allegations of abuse in 2015, the Danish Federation ruled that Helgstrand's use of a double-bridle was "completely unacceptable".[20] Later that year, he was under scrutiny again when pictures showed his mount ridden with a blue tongue.[21] He was not professionally sanctioned for these incidents.

In 2022, Helgstrand was disqualified from the Stockholm Grand Prix after his mount, Queenpark's Wendy (later renamed Wendy De Fontaine) was found to be bleeding from the mouth during their test.[22] The next year, Queenpark's Wendy was again eliminated from a competition in Amsterdam when she was bleeding from her mouth during their test.[23]

Doping[edit]

In June 2023, Helgstrand had to return the bronze medal won at the Danish Championships when it was found that his mount, Jovian was treated with a medication on show grounds that was not disclosed to the show authorities.[24][25]

Operation X[edit]

In September 2023, he once again came under fire for alleged animal abuse. This time it was an undercover documentary, that allegedly exposed the use of training methods that were illegal in Denmark, as well as other controversial methods that were hidden from customers and visitors.[26]

In the videos, undercover footage shows grooms concealing open spur marks with shoe polish and hide whip marks by blankets.[27] They also discuss horses bleeding as a result of their training regimes, and are horses are shown being ridden in a tight frame, behind the vertical.[28]

Helgstrand filed an injunction against Danish television station TV2, the producer of the documentary to prevent the program from being shown.[29] He was unsuccessful, and the program was broadcast.[30]

In November 2023, Helgstrand was removed from the Danish national dressage team – and reported to the police – following the broadcast of the Operation X documentary filmed undercover at Helgstrand Dressage. [31] His ban will last at least until January 1, 2025.[32][33] As a result, tis father, who had been chairman of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003, took a leave of absence from his position.[34] Ulf Helgstand later resigned from the Danish Riding Association in April 2024.[35]

Business[edit]

In 2008, Helgstrand set up his own business, Helgstrand Dressage.[36] In 2021, he merged this business into a new entity, Global Equestrian Group with Ludger Beerbaum.[37] The company participates in various activities around horse sport, from breeding, dressage, show jumping, events to real estate.[38] Helgstrand's personal holding company Wama Consult Aps was found to have an equity of 1.026 billion DKK in 2020.[39]

Notable Horses[edit]

  • Blue Hors Cavan - 1990 Bay Hanoverian Gelding (Cavalier x Damnatz)
    • 2004 Athens Olympics - Team Fifth Place, Individual Ninth Place
    • 2005 FEI World Cup Final - Fifth Place
    • 2005 European Championships - Team Sixth Place, Individual Ninth Place
  • Blue Hors Matine - 1997 Gray Danish Warmblood Mare (Silvermoon x Matador)
    • 2006 World Equestrian Games - Team Fourth Place, Individual Bronze Medal, Individual Silver Medal Freestyle
  • Gredstedgards Casmir - 1999 Dark Bay Danish Warmblood Gelding (Continue x Rastell)
    • 2007 European Championships - Team Sixth Place, Individual 13th Place, Individual Ninth Place Freestyle
    • 2008 FEI World Cup Final - Seventh Place
  • Blue Hors Don Schufro - 1993 Chestnut Oldenburg Stallion (Donnerhall)
    • 2008 Beijing Olympics - Team Bronze Medal, Individual Tenth Place
  • Carabas - 1998 Dark Bay Holsteiner Stallion (Carnaby x Roberto)
    • 2009 European Championships - Team Fifth Place, Individual 29th Place
  • Akeem Foldager - 2002 Bay Danish Warmblood Gelding (Akinos x Loran)
    • 2013 European Championships - Team Fourth Place, Individual 23rd Place
  • Ferrari OLD - 2012 Dark Bay Oldenburg Stallion (Foundation 2 x Blue Hors Hotline)
    • 2017 FEI Dressage Young Horse World Championships - Silver Medal
  • Springbank VH - 2010 Chestnut Swedish Warmblood Gelding (Skovens Rafael x De Niro)
    • 2017 FEI Dressage Young Horse World Championships - 14th Place

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Andreas Helgstrand Biography and Olympic Results". Olympics. Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Andreas Helgstrand Fourth in Voting for Danish Sport Talent of the Year 2004". eurodressage. January 12, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  3. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand: "keine Zeit Pferde zu küssen", Vater Ulf als FN-Präsident beurlaubt -". St.GEORG. September 30, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hector, Chris (December 5, 2005). "Andreas Helgstrand, Shooting Star from Denmark". Horse Magazine. Australia. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Andreas". Team Helgstrand. Helgstrand Dressage. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  6. ^ "Anky van Grunsven Finds Her Golden Lining". 2006 World Equestrian Games. eurodressage. August 27, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  7. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand and Blue Hors Matine Withdraw". eurodressage. April 18, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  8. ^ "Blue Hors Matine Died Unexpectedly". eurodressage. January 25, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  9. ^ "Fourth Danish Title for Andreas Helgstrand at 2008 Danish Championships". eurodressage. June 16, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  10. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand to Leave Blue Hors Stud". eurodressage. September 15, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  11. ^ "Mikado Engvang Sold to Anette Ejlersgaard at Helgstrand Dressage". eurodressage. May 12, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  12. ^ "Ulf Helgstrand tager orlov som formand for Dansk Ride Forbund". rideforbund.dk (in Danish). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  13. ^ "Golden Glory for UNO Donna Unique at 2010 World Young Horse Championships". eurodressage. August 8, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  14. ^ "How 900,000 Euro went missing in sale of Uno Donna Unique". horsesinternational. February 11, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  15. ^ "Names of Riders Set on Final 2012 Danish Olympic Short List". eurodressage. March 29, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  16. ^ "Danish Team Selected for 2012 Olympic Games". eurodressage. July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  17. ^ "Do We Need Blood?". starstone. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  18. ^ "Danish olympic dressage rider in Facebook storm after heartbreaking pictures". BT. April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  19. ^ "Acquittal of Andreas Helgstrand - Helgstrand Dressage".
  20. ^ Heath, Sophia (February 4, 2015). "Andreas Helgstrand guilty of 'improper use of bit and bridle'". Horse & Hound. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  21. ^ Mathieson, Amy (September 3, 2015). "Andreas Helgstrand under fire again after photos spark further welfare complaints". Horse & Hound. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  22. ^ "Stockholm 2022: Grand Prix-Sieg für v. Bredow-Werndl, Helgstrand abgeläutet -". St.GEORG. November 26, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Rejlek, Julia (January 27, 2023). "Amsterdam: Dinja van Liere gewinnt Grand Prix, Helgstrand disqualifiziert". Equestrian Worldwide | Pferdesport weltweit | EQWO.net (in German). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  24. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand verliert Bronzemedaille dänische Meisterschaft wegen unerlaubter Medikation -". St.GEORG. September 20, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  25. ^ Vries, Steffen de (September 21, 2023). "Flår medalje af Helgstrand: Hest pumpet med medicin aftenen før stævne". www.nordjyske.dk (in Danish). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  26. ^ "TV 2 vinder over hestemilliardær og må vise klip fra hans stutteri". Politiken (in Danish). September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  27. ^ "TV2 zeigt Alltag bei Helgstrand in Dänemark: Sporen- und Maulwunden, Peitschenstriemen und Rollkur -". St.GEORG. November 22, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  28. ^ "Operation X Documentary Causes Cascade of Anger, Indignation, Disapproval". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  29. ^ "Helgstrand Files Injunction and Presses Charges with Police Against TV2". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  30. ^ "TV2 Wins Appeal in Operation X Court Case Filed by Helgstrand". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  31. ^ "Uproar over 'appalling' footage shown in undercover documentary – as top rider excluded from national team", horseandhound.co.uk. Accessed 22 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Updated: Helgstrand Removed From Danish Team After TV Exposé - The Chronicle of the Horse". Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  33. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand has been removed from the Danish national dressage team – and reported to the police", horseandhound.co.uk. Accessed 22 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand: "keine Zeit Pferde zu küssen", Vater Ulf als FN-Präsident beurlaubt -". St.GEORG. September 30, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  35. ^ "Dansk Ride Forbund skal have ny formand og næstformand". rideforbund.dk (in Danish). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  36. ^ "Andreas Helgstrand to Leave Blue Hors Stud". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  37. ^ "Helgstrand Gets Foot in Door of Show Jumping World: Alliance with Ludger Beerbaum". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  38. ^ "Global Equestrian Group Hopes to Expand, Bellissimo is Not Selling...Yet". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  39. ^ "Helgstrand Buys Mansion in Danish 90210 Community Hasseris". Eurodressage. Retrieved May 27, 2024.

External links[edit]

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