Andreas Helgstrand has a new Grand Prix star in his barn: Tacolando Triple R. The 11-year old American owned Dutch warmblood stallion sold to Helstrand as Olympic hopeful. The deal was officially signed today.
As a youngster the Ircolando x Akteur x Cadmus xx son was selected for the KWPN stallion licensing but didn't pass the second phase. As a 3-year old he sold to Dr. Heather Houck from the United States and he was trained to Grand Prix level by Robert Dover.
In December 2010 Tacolando came up for sale and Robert Dover aimed to attract a sponsor to buy the horse for himself. Unfortunately this did not came to be. "I guess it just isn’t in the cards for me anymore," Robert wrote on his blog about not getting the horse. "He’s a great horse though and I hope he will have a rider worthy of his talent."
Tacolando was shipped to Europe to be sold via Hubertus Schmidt. The German team rider competed the stallion at a few national competitions in the summer, such as Heroldsberg where they scored 71,021% in the Grand Prix and 73,625% in the Special.
Helgstrand, who was looking for a 2012 Olympic hopeful, tried out the dark bay stallion and finalized the deal today.
Robert Dover told Eurodressage exclusively that, "Tacolando was a wonderful horse to train since he was 3 and I wish him a long and successful Grand Prix career. I am thrilled that he is going into top hands and only wish he would have been bought by an American to strengthen the U.S. Team."
Andreas is looking forward to the arrival of Tacolando in his stable. "Tacolando is coming to me on Friday and I look forward to seeing him," Helgstrand told Eurodressage. "I think he is a very interesting horse with big potential."
Related Links
American Short List for the 2006 WCYH in Verden
Scores: 2006 CDI Raleigh
Robert Dover Rehired as Interim Dressage Canada Technical Coach/Advisor
Helgstrand's Carabas Sold to Rainer and Jessica Schwiebert