Andreas Helgstrand Set to Return to the Competition Ring with Jovian

Dressage

Denmark

Danish 2008 Olympic team bronze medal winner Andreas Helgstrand is set to return to the competition arena in 2025. He has reunited with his number one Grand Prix horse Jovian.

The 47-year old Helgstrand has been a prime player on the Danish dressage scene since the early 2000s, but he and his company experienced the most turbulent year in 2024.

Over the years Andreas worked his way up to become a leading figure in the horse dealing business, in horse event organisation, as well as a play a role as a Danish dressage squad rider and trainer of numerous elite riders.

From Blue Hors to Independence

As the head rider at Blue Hors stud, he made his first claim to fame aboard Blue Hors Matine, winning individual silver and bronze at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. In 2008 he won historic team bronze for Denmark at the Olympics in Hong Kong aboard Blue Hors Don Schufro.

At the end of 2008 Helgstrand made the leap to independence with the financial support of Ole and Lotte Vagner. Helgstrand was able to buy his yard Møgelmosegaard with Ole standing guarantee for the 32 million DKK (4.3 million euro) investment, as well for 22 million DKK (2.9M euro) to buy five top hoses, including Carabas.

It was the start of his horse dealing business which took flight in 2018 when he sold his company to private equity firm Waterland. Helgstrand quickly boasted record profits and merged with Ludger Beerbaum's business as "Global Equestrian Group" (GEG). GEG ventured to Wellington, Florida, where they bought Windsome Farm as sales yard as well as the horse show grounds.

Operation X and Suspension

Tall trees catch much wind and Helgstrand became the center of attention of animal welfarists.

Epona TV became the bane of his existence after it took photos at the 2013 Danish National Championships of his horses in rollkur. In 2014 Epona TV claimed abuse during an open house demonstration, but Andreas was acquitted in court. In 2015 Epona TV released training photos from Andreas at the CDI Falsterbo with a horse in rollkur.

It was all water off a duck's back until mainstream media got deeper involved. The attack on Helgstrand's imperium began in 2022 with Danish newspaper Nordjyske questioned business practices in a series of revealing articles. It prompted TV2 to take an interest and undercover footage was shot by a groom. Helgstrand tried to prevent the airing by going to court, but lost.

In September 2023 Andreas got disqualified from the Danish Championship and had to return received prizes, as well as pay a fine of DKK 5,000. The handling of this affair after the European Championships led to the crumbling of the board of directors at the Danish equestrian federation as opponents questioned the ethics and impartiality of some members.

Operation X was broadcast in November 2023 and the Danish equestrian federation suspended Andreas from all Danish team activities as well as halted its collaboration with Helgstrand Events for one year. In October 2024 an additional three month suspension followed. The FEI mirrored these suspensions.

Opened the Sluice Gate

The Helgstrand case has wider repercussions for equestrian sport in general. It became the starting point of a major animal welfare wave that swept over the dressage world leading to suspensions for alleged animal abuse of Cesar Parra, Evi and Tanya Strasser, and Charlotte Dujardin.

These cases altered the perception of the sport and induced major changes due to a strained social licence to operate. The FEI tightened its animal welfare rules and imposed the correct noseband check instead of the two-fingers-on the side effective today. However, as with many FEI rules before it needs to be seen how (and if) they are put in practice. While fluff is forbidden, it is condoned by stewards. The FEI has so far failed to distribute the measuring device amongst its officials and athletes, leading to a postponement of its implementation.

Major Changes in 2024

Helgstrand seemingly weathered the storm after a big reorganisation in his company.

Coaching at the 2024 World Young Horse Championships

In response to Operation X CCTV has been installed in his entire yard and a rotation of staff members took place. Andreas continued to coach students at FEI events and sell horses. Waterland seemingly demanded a large influx of cash and a chunk of the real estate portfolio (Gestut Famos, the Wellington Farm, and the Wellington horse show) got sold. After keeping his wallet closed for a while, Andreas went back to investing big money into young breeding stallions in Germany, purchasing Daan G together with Paul Schockemöhle for 2 million euro.

The ride on Andreas' 2023 European Championship team bronze medal winner Jovian was allocated to business partner Patrik Kittel, who successfully competed him and considered him for Swedish Olympic team selection. Kittel went for his own horse Touchdown instead. Major client Bolette Wandt left and took Grand Prix horse Wendy with her. German Isabell Werth rode her to team gold and individual silver at the 2024 Olympics.

Ready for 2025

Andreas' suspension is over on 3 January 2025 and the rider has confirmed to Eurodressage that he is ready for next season. He will return as a competitor with Jovian.

"Andreas rides daily and has a number of fantastic horses in development," a Helgstrand spokesperson told Eurodressage. "He also has Jovian at home, who is in excellent form, and the plan is to start competing internationally again at the beginning of the year."