Jovian, the top ride of Andreas Helgstrand, has died days after helping Denmark win team bronze at the 2025 European Dressage Championships.

The 11-year-old stallion passed away yesterday (4 September) following complications related to a gelding procedure.

Helgstrand Dressage confirmed the news this morning.

“After returning home from the European Championships, Jovian was given some well-deserved rest days,” a spokesperson said.

“Following long and careful consideration, we decided to have him gelded, but unfortunately, complications arose during the procedure. Despite the veterinarians’ tireless efforts, his life could not be saved.”

Jovian was one of the most successful and talked-about dressage horses of his generation. With Andreas, he won double gold at the World Championships for Young Horses — first as a five-year-old, then again at seven, where he set a record for the highest score in the event’s history (89.14%).

Perhaps the standout moment of his individual career came in the seven-year-old final, when he earned a perfect 10 for his trot. German judge and commentator Ulrike Nivelle, watching that day, said the test left her with “tears in my eyes”.

He also contributed to Denmark’s team bronze medals at the 2023 and 2025 European Championships. At the most recent championships in Crozet, he scored 71.34% in the grand prix and 69.67% in the special.

Bred in the Netherlands by E Ten Bosch and sired by Apache, Jovian was also a popular breeding stallion, with numerous offspring already making an impression in young horse classes across Europe.

“This loss leaves all of Helgstrand Dressage in deep sadness – especially his rider, Andreas Helgstrand, and his longtime groom, Mikala Krog, who both shared a close and special bond with Jovian for many years,” the spokesperson added.

Known for his expressive movement and presence in the arena, Jovian was described by the team as “the king of our stable.”

“With Jovian’s passing, we have lost the king of our stable. It is an irreplaceable loss for all of us, but the memories of him will live on – both here at Helgstrand Dressage and among his many fans,” the spokesperson said.

“Thank you for the unforgettable moments, Jovian.”

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Andreas Helgstrand is set to return to Denmark’s championship team for the 2025 European Dressage Championships (26–31 August) in Crozet, France, after serving suspensions imposed in 2023 and extended in 2024 over welfare concerns.

In November 2023, Danish broadcaster TV2 aired undercover footage from Helgstrand Dressage showing incorrect training methods, which triggered widespread concern about horse welfare.

On 22 November, the Danish federation Dansk Ride Forbund (DRF) removed Andreas from the national team and barred him from participating in team activities. Following a board meeting on 28 November, the federation confirmed the suspension would remain in effect until 31 December 2024.

On 3 October 2024, the DRF’s appeals committee imposed an additional three-month suspension on Andreas for a “trainer’s violation” of rules governing ethical treatment of horses. This stemmed from a leaked video involving rider Carina Cassøe Krüth, in which a horse was whipped multiple times during training.

Andreas was cleared to return to competition on 3 January 2025. He was out on 14 February at a national show at Hjallerup Rideklub, winning the grand prix on Jovian with 77.97%.

They have since competed internationally, including at Herning, Hagen and Aachen, where they topped the scores for Denmark’s fifth-placed Nations Cup team with 72.59%.

The Danish team will not include Nanna Skodborg Merrald, who was part of the team that won silver at the Paris Olympics, with Blue Hors Zepter.

She has not competed since March, after Blue Hors – the Danish stud at which she is head rider – withdrew its horses from competition as the country works to establish a new framework for horse welfare in sport.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle are the only remaining combination from Denmark’s Olympic silver-medal team to be included. The pair have not competed since posting a new personal best of 91.14% in Gothenburg in February, having withdrawn from competing in Aachen.

“We had a training session where I didn’t think Freestyle was at her best, and that‘s why we chose to withdraw her from the Aachen event so as not to rush or risk anything,” Cathrine said.

The Danish team for the European Dressage Championships (in alphabetical order):

Rikke Dupont and 10-year-old gelding Grand Galiano

Owners: Gert Buchhave and Allan Hansen

Breeder: Lotte og Gert Buchhave

Breeding: by Kastel’s Grand Galaxy Win, out of a mare by Blue Hors Don Schufro

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and 16-year-old mare Mount St. John Freestyle

Owners: Mount St John Equestrian and Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen ApS

Breeder: Stephan Kurz

Breeding: by Fidermark, out of a mare by Donnerhall

Andreas Helgstrand and 11-year-old stallion Jovian

Owner: Helgstrand Dressage

Breeder: ET Ten Bosch

Breeding: by Apache, out of a mare by Glock’s Tango

Nadja Aaboe Sloth and 12-year-old gelding Favour Gersdorf

Owner: rider

Breeder: Inger Marie Andreasen

Breeding: by Foundation, out of a mare by Leandro

The reserve combination is:

Anna Toosbuy Rasch and 10-year-old gelding Everian

Owner: rider

Breeder: Karsten Bundgaard

Breeding: by Everdale, out of a mare by Hochadel

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Andreas Helgstrand has been given a three-month suspension for his part in the Carina Cassøe Krüth training video, in which he says “give it a proper one”.

H&H reported that Carina was reported to the Danish federation’s disciplinary committee, following a video filmed two years ago, showing her whipping a horse multiple times (news, 12 September). Carina was fined 5,000 Danish krone (£560), but following a review by the federation’s appeals committee, she was given an eight-month suspension.

In the video a man’s voice can be heard, now confirmed to be Andreas’. The appeals committee launched a separate case against Andreas “as a result of the trainer’s violation” of the federation’s rules on “ethically correct use of horses”, for stating “give it a proper one”.

In the decision published on 1 October, Andreas confirmed that he made the remark, but said it was “not a call for excessive use of the whip, as has happened, but a call for consistent and quick correction in the situation”. He claimed it was the “correct instruction which, as acknowledged by the rider, was carried out excessively and too violently”. He denied being responsible for Carina’s reaction – and added that the video does not show what happened after.

The committee said that in training, the “rider complies with the trainer’s instructions” – and Andreas’s comment was an “intentional call” to Carina to punish the horse. Andreas was suspended for three months from 3 October, and fined 5,000 krone.

Andreas Helgstrand is serving a suspension until at least 31 December 2024 following last year’s broadcast of TV2’s documentary Operation X showing incorrect training methods filmed undercover at Helgstrand Dressage (news, 30 Nov 2023). The additional suspension will run to 3 January 2025.

A Helgstrand Dressage spokesperson told H&H that Carina received a fine and penalty for her offence from the Danish federation and has “never tried to avoid responsibility for the incident, which took place more than two years ago”.

“She has distanced herself from what is shown in the video footage from 2022. It was a mistake and is not representative of her riding style. As a trainer, one has a responsibility for both rider and horse, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is ultimately the rider who leads the horse and chooses to carry out the instruction,” said the spokesperson.

“We want to make it absolutely clear that at Helgstrand, we welcome the debate about horse welfare, but we are not happy that riders’ and trainers’ legal rights are dependent on a federation that doesn’t dare stand by its own initial decisions. There is a widespread acknowledgment within the industry that we haven’t done things well enough. Therefore, we must also stand together to develop in the right direction, and much has already changed since 2022. However, the answer is not to create uncertainty in the industry by taking the easy way out, as the federation does case after case.”

The spokesperson added that Helgstrand Dressage are “currently considering whether to appeal the case on principle”.

“It is not acceptable that riders and trainers cannot be certain of the sanctions imposed by the federation when a rider corrects a horse too much, as happened with Carina. As previously mentioned, Carina has fully admitted her mistake and accepted her fine without complaint, but due to external pressure, the equestrian federation does not dare to stand by its original decision. Therefore, we are considering the next steps,” they said.

“It’s good that there is increased focus on horse welfare, and a lot has happened. At Helgstrand, we have video surveillance of all our training sessions, which amount to several thousand per month, so we can review training sessions on video and improve welfare and the way we ride. We have strengthened our whistleblower system, established clear rules for all trainers, and reinforced our animal welfare program.

“Correction of a horse with a whip is allowed, but of course, excessive use of the whip is not. That should result in a fine. Andreas, like other trainers, has used the term ‘give it one’. The term can be debated, but the rider’s use of the whip cannot. If the use of the whip becomes too harsh, it must, of course, have consequences.”

H&H has contacted the Danish federation for comment.

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Top dressage horses Queenparks Wendy and Jovian will be campaigned by Germany’s Isabell Werth and Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, while Andreas Helgstrand is excluded from team competition during 2024.

Today (12 January) a spokesman for Helgstrand Dressage announced that the stable, in collaboration with Queenparks Wendy’s owner Bolettte Wandt of Château de Fontaine, has entered into a partnership with Isabell and Isabell’s sponsor Madeleine Winter-Schulze for the 10-year-old mare to join Isabell. A partnership has been formed between Helgstrand Dressage and Patrik for 10-year-old stallion Jovian.

Both horses’ nationalities have been updated on the FEI database, ahead of the 15 January Olympic transfer deadline.

The move comes after Andreas Helgstrand was excluded from the Danish national team and team activities following the broadcast of TV2’s documentary Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire, filmed undercover at Helgstrand Dressage.

“Both horses are at the peak of their careers, so it only makes sense that they should have optimal conditions to develop their sporting potential while Andreas Helgstrand is out of competition in 2024,” said the Helgstrand spokesman.

“Wendy” made her international debut with Andreas as a five-year-old at the World Championships for young dressage horses, where she won bronze. She made her grand prix debut at the Aalborg CDI3* in 2022, and has consistently posted +71% scores. In October Wendy scored a personal best of 81.16% in the freestyle at the World Cup qualifier in Herning with Andreas.

Isabell said she is “very proud and grateful to welcome this outstanding horse”.

“I would like to give special thanks to Madeleine Winter-Schulze, Bolette Wandt, and Andreas Helgstrand for facilitating this partnership,” she said.

Bolette said Wendy and Isabell are the “perfect match”.

“They are both true power girls. Wendy has a real ‘here I come’ charisma, talent, and power – the entire package required to reach the top. Moreover, she is still a young horse, and I have no doubt that there is a lot more to come in the future. Wendy is in very good hands with Isabell,” she said.

Andreas bought Jovian as a three-year-old and has produced him. In 2019 Jovian won the five-year-old final at the World Championships for young dressage horses, then went on to win the seven-year-old final in 2021. Last summer Andreas and Jovian were part of the Danish Nations Cup team at Aachen, and in September they were on the team that won bronze at the Europeans in Riesenbeck.

“I admire Jovian. He is an absolutely fantastic horse, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to ride him,” said Patrik.

“I have been a fan of his since Andreas bought him. He has qualities beyond this world – when he trots, it’s like he’s trotting on clouds. I will do everything I can to do him justice and hope that we develop a good and fruitful partnership together.”

Andreas said Wendy and Jovian are “two absolutely fantastic horses, and it’s of course, a bit sad to say goodbye to them”.

“However, I am most of all happy and proud that we have made agreements with two of the world’s absolute best dressage riders, allowing both horses to showcase their worth and continue on their journey towards the stars,” he said.

The Helgstrand spokesman added that the stable “looks forward to following the new partnerships closely”.

“There is no doubt that it will be an exciting journey full of success,” he said.

You might also be interested in:

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Helgstrand Dressage will record all training at its Danish bases on camera, in “continued efforts to ensure the highest level of welfare” – in the “wake of recordings of poor riding”.

The news follows the public backlash to the broadcast of TV2’s documentary Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire, filmed undercover at the stud in January.

In a statement on 1 December a Helgstrand Dressage spokesman said that from tomorrow (5 December) professional camera equipment will be installed in all riding halls at the the stud’s three locations in Denmark.

“Henceforth, all riding and training will be recorded all hours of the day,” said the spokesman, adding that a camera was already set up in the riding hall at Helgstrand Academy.

“This was for the purpose of safety monitoring rather than review of training and therefore not of sufficient quality. New and far more professional equipment is now being installed in all riding halls.”

Helgstrand commercial director Anders Bjørnstrup said: “As we continue our efforts to ensure the highest level of animal welfare in riding and training, we have now set up monitoring in all riding halls, so we can use the footage if we are alerted to bad riding or unethical training methods.

“In the future, the Danish equestrian federation and the relevant authorities can conduct random checks at any time, naturally taking into account applicable legislation.”

Anders added that he “would like to make it clear that there is no talk of a systematic review” of Helgstrand Dressage’s training.

“But if a situation arises, we can go back and review for clarification with the help of long-range cameras. We also see this as a security measure for our employees, horses and riders,” he said.

“I hope that the new camera placements can help to reassure both the federation and the authorities that riding and training is done properly.”

The statement concluded that the “measure comes in the wake of recordings of poor riding at Helgstrand Dressage, recorded in January”. The recordings the stud is referring to included horses’ being ridden and lunged in rollkur (hyperflexion).

“Since then, we have worked intensively to introduce a wide range of measures and improvement points for our animal welfare, business conduct and conditions for our employees,” the spokesman said.

“Among other things, we have introduced a whistleblower program and tightened the guidelines for training and treatment of horses.”

Last week it was announced by the Danish federation Dansk Ride Forbund that Andreas Helgstrand will be excluded from the national team until at least 2025 – and will miss the Paris 2024 Olympics.

It was also confirmed that Andreas and Helgstrand Dressage instructors Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard, Maria Anita Andersen and Ole Hummelshøj, have been excluded from the Danish riding instructor association Dansk Ride-Instruktør Forening, and that Helgstrand Dressage will no longer operate as an apprenticeship training site for the Danish master rider education as of 31 December.

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Helgstrand Dressage will no longer host apprenticeship training – as it is confirmed Andreas Helgstrand will miss Paris 2024, and he and three others are excluded from the Danish riding instructor association Dansk Ride-Instruktør Forening (DRIF).

The fallout from the recent broadcast of TV2’s documentary Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire, filmed undercover at Helgstrand Dressage, has continued this week.

The two-part documentary, hosted by investigative journalist Morten Spiegelhau, was filmed by reporter Rebekka Klubien who posed as a groom at the stable in January. Footage showed horses being trained in rollkur (hyperflexion), and included interviews with Helgstrand staff about horses frequently being seen with whip and spur marks, or bleeding from the mouth.

It was first announced by the Danish federation Dansk Ride Forbund (DRF) on 22 November that as a result of the footage Andreas had been excluded from the national team and team activities. In an update, following an executive board meeting on Tuesday (28 November), it was announced that this exclusion will run “at least” until 31 December 2024.

“This means, among other things, that Andreas Helgstrand will not be considered for the Olympic team in connection with the Olympics in Paris 2024,” said the spokesman.

“Furthermore, the executive board decided to report Andreas to the national federation’s disciplinary committee for breaching the association’s general provisions and guidelines for the ethically correct use of horses for equestrian sports.”

The spokesman added that everyone who owns horses registered for competition under DRF has a duty to comply with the federation’s regulations, rules and guidelines.

Andreas told H&H he had “always been proud of representing Denmark on the national team, including the opportunity to perhaps represent Denmark at the Olympics.”

“Therefore, I am of course very disheartened by DRF’s decision,” he said.

“I take note of the decision, and we will continue the dialogue with the association on how we have tightened our processes and improved our animal welfare over the past year. This will allow us to demonstrate and highlight our points of improvement.”

DRF previously asked any Helgstrand Dressage riders filmed in the documentary to come forward to face the federation’s disciplinary committee. Yesterday (30 November), the DRIF held an extraordinary general meeting and announced that four members from Helgstrand Dressage have now been excluded from the association; Andreas Helgstrand, Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard, Maria Anita Andersen and Ole Hummelshøj.

“It will then be up to a future general meeting whether they can be admitted to the association again,” read a DRIF board statement.

H&H has approached Thomas, Maria and Ole for comment.

Today (1 December) Helgstrand Dressage issued a statement and said it had received notice from DRF and DRIF that the organisations are “terminating our cooperation agreement as an apprenticeship training site for the master rider education as of 31 December”.

“We are, of course, incredibly sad about this decision. We are extremely proud of our student master riders, and we consider them close and skilled colleagues,” read the statement.

“The footage from TV2 has made a very big impression. We understand that there should be a reaction to the images shown in Operation X. We have done so ourselves. Therefore, we have extended an open invitation to both DRF and DRIF for a dialogue and to visit Helgstrand Dressage to see firsthand what our practice is like as an apprenticeship and how we have improved many of our conditions over the past year.”

The statement added that the stable is “very disappointed” that neither DRF or DRIF had accepted the invitation.

“Our invitation remains open; both are welcome to drop by – also unannounced, where they can make the necessary inspections of horses, training, and students,” it read.

“We will, of course, do everything we can to continue the dialogue so that we can continue to welcome our talented students back to Helgstrand Dressage, where we are confident that we can offer a good apprenticeship with healthy values and a strong community.”

A DRIF spokesman told H&H the decision to terminate the cooperation agreement was taken by a committee comprising members of the federation and DRIF, and this was before the decision to exclude Andreas, Thomas, Maria and Ole from the association.

Last week in response to the broadcast, the FEI said it takes “all allegations of horse abuse very seriously” and that it will collaborate closely with DRF. An FEI spokesman told H&H there is no update.

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The FEI has said it takes “all allegations of horse abuse very seriously” in response to the broadcast of the undercover documentary filmed at Helgstrand Dressage – and that it is “rigorously addressing this issue”.

This week the equestrian world was rocked by the airing of TV2’s Operation X, The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire. The first part of the documentary aired in Denmark on Wednesday evening (22 November), and the second part will air on 29 November. Both parts are available now to Danish viewers who are paid subscribers of the TV2 app). The documentary is not currently available in the UK.

H&H has viewed both parts of the documentary – which includes exchanges, filmed on a hidden camera, between undercover reporter Rebekka Klubien and grooms and staff at Helgstrand Dressage. Throughout these conversations, it is acknowledged that horses are often seen with whip and spur marks, or bleeding mouths. Footage also shows horses being ridden in rollkur and tight draw reins.

In a statement this evening (24 November) the FEI said it is “aware of the distressing images” presented in the Operation X documentary.

“The FEI takes all allegations of horse abuse very seriously and at all times the welfare of the horse must be paramount,” said an FEI spokesman.

“The welfare of horses is at the core of our values and regulations, and any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse constitutes a violation of our rules.”

The spokesman added that equestrian sport is “built on a foundation of respect and welfare for our equine partners”.

“Any deviation from these principles is unacceptable, and the FEI remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare, maintaining the integrity and wellbeing of our athletes – both equine and human,” he said.

“The FEI will however collaborate closely with the Danish national federation (DRF), and there is a mutual recognition of decisions and any sanctions imposed. We will continue to communicate as the situation develops, and want to assure the equestrian community, our stakeholders and the public that we are rigorously addressing this issue.”

Yesterday H&H reported that the DRF had excluded medal-winning Andreas Helgstrand from the Danish national team and that the DRF board “strongly distances itself from the unacceptable methods of riding, training, and treating horses the broadcasts clearly show”. DRF also appealed to riders at Helgstrand Dressage filmed in the documentary to come forward to face the federation’s disciplinary committee. In addition, DRF called a stop to national competitions running with Helgstrand Event, part of Helgstrand Group.

The FEI spokesman said that it is for the governing bodies to “assure that there are rules in place to sanction any welfare breaches and uphold horse welfare”.

“There is an onus on everyone within the equestrian community to adhere to such rules and best practices in equine care and welfare, in order to maintain equestrian sport in a strong, healthy and ethically sound way for the future,” he said.

In response to the broadcast of the documentary, Helgstrand Dressage issued a statement on Wednesday evening (22 November), and stated that the footage had made a “big impression” on the stud.

“It is not ok. This is bad riding and treatment of horses that we do not want to see at Helgstrand Dressage. It does not live up to our guidelines and values set, and it is not an expression of our culture. We have to fix that,” read the statement.

“We can see that there has been a shift in our value set, and it is our responsibility as management to ensure that our training and treatment of horses takes place in the best way. We can see in the programmes that this has not happened. We can and must do better.”

Read Helgstrand Dressage’s full statement in H&H’s report of part one of the documentary.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Rollkur, aggressive riding, and “coerced” horses are the focus of the second part of the Operation X documentary filmed undercover at Helgstrand Dressage.

Yesterday (23 November) H&H reported on part one of TV2’s Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire following its release in Denmark. The programme, hosted by investigative journalist Morten Spiegelhauer, is based on footage filmed on a hidden camera by reporter Rebekka Klubien, who went undercover as a groom at Helgstrand Dressage in January.

The first episode included footage of conversations between Rebekka and grooms and staff members of Helgstrand Dressage, which focused heavily on spur and whip marks on horses at the premises. Equine experts gave their views of the footage, and former staff spoke out about negative experiences working at Helgstrand Dressage.

H&H has been granted access to part two of the documentary and has now viewed it in full, ahead of its airing on Danish television on 29 November. (Nb: it is available now to Danish viewers who are paid subscribers of the TV2 app). It is not currently available in the UK.

The second episode shows Rebekka gaining access to the riding hall at Helgstrand Dressage, where she filmed horses being exercised, on a hidden camera. Throughout the clips, horses can be seen being ridden roughly, and some in rollkur (hyperflexion) with tight draw reins. A number of horses can be seen reacting explosively; lunging forward, evading and going backwards, and rearing. One clip shows a rider aggressively kicking a horse, and although the camera is hidden, the sound of the impact against the horse’s side is still picked up by the microphone.

As in the first episode, Morten conducts interviews with equine vet Heidi Nielsen, trainer John Randskov, and former team rider Susan Kjaergard, during which he shows them Rebekka’s recordings.

Hours of footage was captured, but the experts are first shown 25 minutes of uncut recordings, and asked for their initial impressions. Heidi said there is “so much continuous pressure on the horses”, and Susan said she got an “enormous overwhelming feeling” seeing horses going through “this type of coercion” for such a long period of time without breaks.

Other experts are shown footage. Equine vet Karin Leibrandt described the riding as “animal abuse”, and animal researcher Kathrin Kienapfel said she has never seen so many people “riding so rough” all in one place, at the same time.

Later the documentary shows a conversation between Rebekka and a blurred-out rider – it is not known if this individual is one of those filmed in the riding hall.

 When Rebekka asks about the training of the horses, the rider responds that it is a “vicious circle”.

“Many [horses] do not fit in here. It is too stressful – or too much is demanded of them,” they said, adding that the stable is like “a factory” producing so many horses quickly, and this puts pressure on the riders.

Another conversation takes place between Rebekka and a groom over marks on the mouth of a horse named Devolution. The groom tells Rebekka that Devolution bleeds from the mouth “once in a while”, but that this is a regular occurrence for horses Bonjour, Darwin, Natural Spring, and Naxos.

When shown this conversation, Susan points out that even though the groom knows this is wrong she is still a part of it and it becomes normal there – which “shows the culture” at Helgstrand Dressage. 

Discussions around draw reins – and rollkur – feature throughout the programme. In one recording a member of staff tells Rebekka that customers are visiting and so the horses should not be in draw reins when they arrive. When asked why, the staff member states that the stud does not want to be known for using them.

Other clips show horses being lunged with their heads in a hyperflexion position, and Susan states the force almost seems stronger without a rider, because it becomes clear “exactly how much coercion is involved” – while John describes the frame as “completely unnatural”.

The Danish Animal Ethics Council (DAEC) states in its ethical guidelines that horses: “must not be subjected to physical or psychological violence, understood as jerking/pulling/see-sawing on the bit in the mouth; the use of the whip beyond what is characters as correction and/or reprimand; unrestrained use of spurs; other violence that has the features of punishment; as well as well as rollkur and hyperflexion”

Morten interviews Denmark’s national head FEI vet Mette Uldahl and shows her 10 hidden recordings from Helgstrand Dressage to assess whether they comply with the ethical guidelines. Mette agrees that they do not and points out the heavily tightened draw reins, hyperflexion, and whip use.

Mette prepared a report for the Danish equestrian federation, Dans Ride Forbund (DRF), about Helgstrand Dressage. In this she concluded that there were “serious cases” where horses were being treated in a way that was “not acceptable”, a “systematic and continuous approach with too high a degree of mild to serious discomfort in the horses during training”, and a culture that is not appropriate.

The second episode concludes with footage of Rebekka confronting Andreas Helgstrand over concerns she has about some of the riding she has witnessed, as well as spur marks and horses bleeding from the mouth.

Andreas responds to Rebekka that “sometimes you can’t help it” and that horses can bite themselves. He said that draw reins are only used on some horses, and when Rebekka tells him she has taken a picture of a horse, a chestnut, in a hyperflexion position Andreas asks if she is “there to make trouble”, before asking to view the picture. He says that it “doesn’t look good” and that he cannot know what is going on all the time. He then asks if she is recording the conversation and to see her phone.

A voiceover states that although Andreas became suspicious, he only found out about the hidden camera later when he was informed in the phone call with Morten, shown in the first episode.

Helgstrand Dressage issued a response on Wednesday evening (22 November) – after the first episode aired (and the second was available for subscribers on the TV2 app) – and said the footage had made a “big impression” on the stud, and was “not ok”.

The statement said it was bad riding and treatment of horses, did not live up to Helgstrand Dressage’s guidelines and values, and is “not an expression of our culture”.

“We can see that some of our training equipment has been used incorrectly during filming. It must guide and correct the horse, but they must never be used as punishment,” read the statement.

“We would like to state that rollkur and overuse of whips or ‘sliding reins’ [draw reins] are not accepted with us.”

Helgstrand Dressage’s full statement can be read in H&H’s report on the first episode published yesterday (23 November). The stud has also introduced a “large number of improvements to its business” as reported earlier in the week.

In response to the Operation X broadcasts, the DRF held a board meeting on Wednesday, resulting in Andreas being excluded as a national team rider. DRF competitions have been withdrawn from Helgstrand Event, and riders of Helgstrand Dressage have been asked to come forward to face the federation’s disciplinary committee.

A spokesman for Waterland Private Equity which owns the Global Equestrian Group – of which Helgstrand Dressage is part – told H&H:

“We endorse Helgstrand Dressage’s distancing from the horse training activities shown in the documentary from TV2. Since TV2 obtained the hidden footage in January, Helgstrand Dressage has undergone a thorough review and has implemented various measures and improvements on animal welfare and in its business practices and employee working conditions,” said the spokesman.

“We note that Helgstrand Dressage has taken the criticism to heart and will learn and evolve from this and we are confident that the company will continue to advance its frontrunner position within the sector and set high standards for the equestrian industry.”

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Medal-winning rider Andreas Helgstrand has been 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.

Last night (23 November) Danish television production company TV2 aired part one of the documentary Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire. Part two is out on 29 November, but at present the documentary is only available to viewers in Denmark.

The programme, hosted by investigative journalist Morten Spiegelhauer, is based on footage filmed on a hidden camera by a reporter who went undercover as a groom at Helgstrand Dressage in January.

Part one – which H&H has access to and has viewed in its entirety – begins with Morten telephoning Andreas Helgstrand and offering him the opportunity to view the footage and partake in a television interview. Andreas declined this and took legal proceedings, as reported by H&H in June.

Undercover journalist Rebekka Klubien is seen starting her role at Helgstrand Dressage in Denmark. Throughout the programme footage filmed on a hidden camera is shown including conversations between Rebekka and grooms and members of staff (who are all blurred out) about horse welfare, and whip and spur marks.

In one discussion, a member of staff asks Rebekka if she has seen the whip marks on horses – before showing her images on a mobile phone of one horse with marks. The member of staff confirms that she has seen this happen to horses often. Video footage is then shown of a horse’s quarters on which marks can be seen.

Later images are shown on a mobile phone of spur marks on a horse. Footage then shows a groom who states she regularly puts cream on a horse named Devolution for spur marks, which will often be bleeding – and despite this his rider continues to wear spurs. The groom claims Devolution also sometimes returns from exercise with whip marks.

In another discussion Rebekka raises concerns about whip marks on a horse named Floss Dance. The member of staff responds that it was “not unusual” – and when asked what would happen if someone was coming to view a horse, and horses had marks on their backs, the staff member responds that these horses would have rugs on to cover them.

Throughout the programme Morten conducts interviews with experts including equine vet Heidi Nielsen, trainer John Randskov, and former team rider Susan Kjaergard. They are shown the photos and footage, and all three state these are injuries caused by incorrect and forceful use of whips and spurs.

The Operation X documentary also features interviews with former staff and riders from Helgstrand Dressage, including Nanna Moller, Camilla Christensen, Silke Smevik, and Sverre Smevik.

Camilla, a former rider, states that there were “a lot of bad experiences” at Helgstrand Dressage, and that employees had to sign a contract blocking them from speaking out about what went on.

“I lied like hell what it was like to be there, because I couldn’t say how awful it was,” she said, adding later in the interview that spur marks on horses would be covered with shoe polish.

Silke, a former stable manager, said the concept at Helgstrand Dressage was about “selling as much as possible, as quickly as possible”, and that animal welfare was not discussed.

Morten stated that during production he was contacted by a former rider at Helgstrand Dressage who wished to remain anonymous, owing to concerns that it would “damage her career if she spoke out negatively”. Morten said the rider sent detailed descriptions of how horses are subject to “mistreatment” – and that following one particular episode a few years ago, staff were called to a meeting and reminded of their “duty of confidentiality”.

Another talking point in the documentary was the working conditions for the employees. Rebekka reports working a 47-hour week on an hourly rate of just under 80 Danish krone (around £9.32). There is no mandatory minimum wage in Denmark.

Rebekka can be heard talking to a groom who is in tears about the way she was spoken to by a rider. One member of staff told Rebekka that she was working when it should have been her day off, and another said she had had only one day off in two months.

Silke said when she worked there staff were very tired and frustrated, and “it was normal to find riders and grooms crying”. She said she approached management about improving the working conditions and increasing staff wages, and was told that grooms come and go – and that new ones could be sourced.

Silke’s husband Sverre, who worked as a farrier at Helgstrand Dressage, said he had “never seen so many adults cry” during his time at the stud. Silke and Sverre left Helgstrand Dressage in March 2019, after a year.

A preview for part two of the Operation X documentary, out on 29 November, shows hidden footage captured during training sessions. Clips show horses being exercised in rollkur, horses displaying explosive behaviour during training, and one horse being kicked aggressively by a rider. It also shows Rebekka raising concerns with Andreas Helgstrand – and him asking if she is filming the conversation.

Last night Helgstrand Dressage issued a statement that said TV2’s footage had made “a big impression” on the stud.

“It is not ok. This is bad riding and treatment of horses that we do not want to see at Helgstrand Dressage. It does not live up to our guidelines and values set, and it is not an expression of our culture. We have to fix that,” read the statement.

“We can see that there has been a shift in our value set, and it is our responsibility as management to ensure that our training and treatment of horses takes place in the best way. We can see in the programmes that this has not happened. We can and must do better.

“That is why we take the content of the programmes very seriously. The recordings are from January 2023, and we have – both prior to the recordings and since – thoroughly reviewed our work processes and introduced a large number of measures and improvement points for our animal welfare, business conduct and conditions for our employees.”

The statement added that it is central to the stud’s work that “horses feel good”, and that it trains elite horses who, with their riders, “must be able to perform at the highest level”.

“We can only succeed in this if our horses thrive and there is trust between rider and horse. Elite sport is demanding. But a sports horse, like other athletes, must feel good in order to deliver results, and therefore we must always be aware of the way we train our horses,” it read.

“Here at Helgstrand Dressage, we train approximately 350 horses a day. Like the experts, we can also see that in some of the cases there is conflict behaviour in the programmes. This is unacceptable and we are reacting to it.”

The statement said Helgstrand Dressage employs 60 professional riders and grooms, and it is the stud’s responsibility that guidelines are followed and that training methods are “used correctly and always have horse health and wellbeing as the most important priority”.

“We can see that some of our training equipment has been used incorrectly during filming. It must guide and correct the horse, but they must never be used as punishment,” it read.

“We would like to state that rollkur and overuse of whips or ‘sliding reins’ are not accepted with us. The same applies to covering track marks with coloured cream. Therefore, we have made it clear that no type of coloured cream is accepted with us.

“We find that our horses can occasionally have sores in their mouths. This can be from picking at their mouth or tongue or grinding their teeth. Having said that, no horse should be ridden with wounds that require care and rest. We have since introduced a thorough check of our horses every 14 days, where our stable managers review the horses’ physical and psychological condition.”

The statement concluded that Helgstrand Dressage had chosen not to participate in the Operation X documentary, as the stud is against TV2’s use of hidden recordings.

“But there must be no doubt that we take the content very seriously,” it read.

“Therefore, we have also listened to the criticism and have already introduced a large number of improvements in our business”. H&H reported on these improvements earlier in the week.

Since the broadcast there has been strong reaction from across the equestrian industry.

Not-for-profit animal welfare organisation Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Animal Protection Denmark) was one of the first to condemn Helgstrand Dressage. In a statement issued yesterday the organisation said it was “appalled” by the documentary.

A Dyrenes Beskyttelse spokesman said the organisation had reported Helgstrand Dressage, Andreas Helgstrand, and the associated riders to the Danish police for animal cruelty. The organisation also called upon the Danish equestrian federation, Dansk Ride Forbund (DRF), to sanction Andreas and the participating riders.

“It is simply unforgivable what has happened at Helgstrand Dressage. It would suit the DRF to be absolutely clear that this is far beyond what is acceptable and should have consequences,” said the spokesman.

A spokesman for Denmark’s North Jutland Police told H&H that the force has received a report referring to the documentary – but that “at this early stage” they cannot give any further comment.

In a statement issued yesterday, DRF confirmed that its board held a meeting after watching the Operation X broadcasts. Andreas’ father Ulf Helgstrand is president of DRF, but took leave from this position in September, and the acting DRF president is Jacob Ravnsbo.

The outcome of the meeting is that Andreas, who has represented Denmark at eight championships and was part of the European bronze medal-winning team in September, is excluded from the national team and team activities.

“The board strongly distances itself from the unacceptable methods of riding, training, and treating horses the broadcasts clearly show,” the statement read.

“Therefore, it is now clear that Andreas Helgstrand, based on the broadcasts, can no longer represent the Danish equestrian federation as a national team rider. As a national team rider, you are, among other things, obliged to comply with our code of conduct, guidelines for ethically correct use of horses for equestrian sports, as well as act as good role models.”

The DRF has appealed to riders at Helgstrand Dressage filmed in the Operation X documentary to come forward.

“The riders participating in TV2’s recordings are blurred. The board therefore strongly encourages the riders in the recordings, to bring themselves before the disciplinary committee,” read the statement.

“DRF will initiate measures with the purpose of identifying the riders and reporting them to the disciplinary committee, should this request not be met”.

DRF has also called a stop to DRF competitions run with Helgstrand Event. The organisation has hosted Danish national championships, Nations Cup events, and showjumping competitions.

“Helgstrand Event is a part of the Helgstrand Group. The unacceptable culture and approach to training and treatment of the horses, which the broadcasts clearly show, is not compatible with the fundamental values and principles of horse welfare,” read the DRF statement.

“This means that the board decided to let all collaboration with Helgstrand Event end. This includes national higher level competitions as well as national and international championships for the time being.”

This includes the Danish championships in May 2024 for seniors, under-25s and para dressage, and the Nordic Baltic Championships for dressage, showjumping and vaulting in June.

The statement added that Helgstrand Event had an agreement with the FEI to host a European Equestrian Federation Nations Cup showjumping competition in May, and that DRF will ask the FEI to “reassess the agreement”.

H&H has approached the FEI, and Andreas Helgstrand for comment.

The Danish Riding Instructor Association (DRIA) raised concerns about the footage in the broadcast and said in a statement that it distances itself from “any form of violent riding” that is not only contrary to the association’s guidelines, but also lacks consideration for horse welfare.

“The DRIA is dedicated to ensuring that the horse’s wellbeing and health are always in focus, and that riding is practised in a way that respects the animal as a partner and not as a tool,” read the statement.

“Unfortunately, the demonstrated culture at Helgstrand Dressage seems to lack consistency with our fundamental values and ethical principles. Excessively violent riding and professionally incorrect practices are unacceptable in our association, and we distance ourselves from any form of abuse against the horse as a training method.”

The statement added that as a “direct consequence of these serious violations”, the DRIA board has recommended that the parties involved should be excluded from the association. It added that the DRIA and the DRF cooperate on training courses for instructors, and that it recommends that Helgstrand Dressage’s status as a training provider is reviewed.

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Major Danish stud Helgstrand Dressage has introduced “points of improvement” around its business conduct and animal welfare – ahead of the broadcast of a television programme filmed by an undercover reporter posing as a groom.

Tomorrow (22 November) Danish television production company TV2 will air the Operation X documentary The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire, based on footage filmed with a hidden camera at Helgstrand Dressage.

In June H&H reported that the stud had started legal proceedings against TV2 to block the broadcast, owing to the “journalistic methods” used. At the time Helgstrand Dressage founder and Danish team rider Andreas Helgstrand issued a statement condemning the secret filming – and said that the privacy of the stud and staff had been “violated solely to create an exciting documentary”. TV2 told H&H it had offered Andreas Helgstrand the chance to watch the “relevant section of the clandestine recordings”.

A spokesman for Helgstrand Dressage issued a further statement on 13 November, the day before the final court hearing, stating that hidden cameras should be the “last thing you do when you need to uncover a case” – and that had the stud been approached by TV2, they would have allowed the production company inside. The statement added that whether they won or lost the case, they had “learned a lot”.

“That being said, we are fully aware that the discussion of the broadcast has already started a debate about animal welfare and the education of elite horses,” said the Helgstrand spokesman.

“This is a very important debate, where we at Helgstrand Dressage have a lot to learn. As one of the world’s most recognised training centres for dressage horses, of course there are great demands that we lead the way and set new standards for the industry.”

The spokesman added that “based on the criticism, among other things” Helgstrand Dressage had carried out an independent legal investigation of the company’s business conduct, “just as we have thoroughly compared our practice and internal guidelines” to the Danish Animal Welfare Act, the Danish equestrian federation’s ethical guidelines, and the FEI’s code of conduct.

“Against this background, we have introduced a number of measures and points of improvement for our business, animal welfare, and conditions for our employees. Several of those changes are leading in the industry today,” said the spokesman.

The measures have been set out on Helgstrand’s website, where the training of horses, animal welfare, business conduct, employee working conditions and industry standards have been addressed.

Discussing the training of horses, the statement reads that as “one of the world’s most recognised training centres” for dressage horses, Helgstrand Dressage is dedicated to training elite horses under the “best possible conditions for our employees and horses” – and that all treatment of the stud’s horses must be done with “wellbeing as the highest priority”.

“When training an elite horse, different training methods can be used. It is our job to ensure that these are used correctly. If we are presented with clips that show that we are not adhering to our guidelines, we must of course rectify this. But let there be no doubt that mental or physical abuse of horses has always been prohibited at our company,” it reads.

“We have taken the criticism of our company seriously. We have thoroughly reviewed our work processes and introduced a wide range of measures. We are not only committed to complying with current legislation, but strive to set higher standards for the industry – whether it’s our work with horses, our business practices or the conditions for our employees.”

• Read the full measures here

In a further Helgstrand Dressage statement on Friday (17 November) a spokesman said that the stud did not agree with the court’s decision to allow the programme to be aired – and reiterated that they did not believe it was fair on their staff that hidden cameras had been used.

“There must be no doubt that it is absolutely central to us that our horses thrive, and we put animal welfare above everything else,” said the spokesman.

“Dressage as an industry is still developing, and working with horses at an elite level demands a lot from both rider and horse. With that said, our horses cannot be world-class if we do not treat them like this. Animal welfare is therefore a top priority at Helgstrand Dressage. We take that very seriously – both now and in the future.”

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Dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand has lost the bronze medal he won at the 2023 Danish national championships owing to veterinary treatment given to the horse the night before.

On 4 June Andreas and the nine-year-old stallion Jovian were third in the freestyle at the championships.

But on 19 September the Danish equestrian federation (DRF’s) appeal committee ruled that there had been a violation of the federation’s rules relating to veterinary treatment. In the decision published by DRF on 20 September, it was stated that Jovian was treated by a vet on the showground on 3 June for a mild (non life-threatening case) of colic, during which time two technical delegates passed the stable while the vet was examining him.

Following the treatment, the vet sent an email to the DRF’s veterinary consultant Mette Uldahl at 10.04pm that night, but this was not read until the evening of the day following the competition. The document states that no telephone calls were made to Ms Uldahl, or enquiries to the technical delegate, for approval of the treatment on Saturday – or before the start of the event on Sunday.

“The treating veterinarian supplemented Mette Uldahl with additional information about the treatment on 5 June and stated that the horse had been given 500ml of [electrolyte] duphalyte and 20ml of [painkiller] traumeel orally by tube,” read the decision, adding that within an hour Jovian had started eating again and for the rest of the night “behaved normally”.

“It is stated that the attending veterinarian was consulted by Andreas Helgstrand’s groom on 3 June in the evening. The vet examined the horse and carried out the treatment mentioned. Andreas was not aware of the treatment until he was informed on 6 June 2023 about the complaint filed in the case.”

The complaint, brought by DRF, is based on the fact there was a breach of its regulations on doping and medication.

“A horse has been medicated on a showground without the required assessment and permission from DRF’s veterinary consultant,” the document read.

The complaint decision added that horses may not participate in events under the influence of pain-relieving, performance-enhancing, stimulating or sedative substances – and that medication should not be administered via tube. If there is a need for medication at a showground in Denmark, permission must be obtained from DRF’s veterinary consultant prior to treatment, unless it is a “series or life-threatening situation for the horse”.

The document states that Andreas said the two medications used are not on the FEI’s equine prohibited substances list (EPSL), that the Danish federation follows the FEI rules, that he believes the administration via tube was not a violation, and that two technical delegates passed the stable while the vet was treating the horse.

The appeal committee said the fact the technical delegates passed the stable cannot be equated with an acceptance of a given treatment. The committee said it is the vet’s and ultimately rider’s responsibility to ensure regulations are complied with.

“It can be assumed that the treatment carried out would not be approved by DRF’s veterinary consultant, as the two drugs would not be approved for the treatment of the disease in question,” read the decision.

“The horse has been medicated on an event site without prior permission and it is irrelevant that the drugs do not appear on the FEI’s doping list. Four times the normal recommended dose of traumeel has been used, which the appeal committee finds to be striking. Duphalyte is liquid and administered by tube, which is not a voluntary intake of liquid and thus a violation.”

The appeal committee “assumes” that if the horse had only been treated with gut-relaxing medication after prior approval from DRF’s veterinary consultant, the horse could possibly be allowed to participate, had he been assessed as fit to compete prior to the event. But in this case, Andreas’ own vet carried out the assessment without the technical delegates and DRF’s veterinary consultant.

The appeal committee ruled there was a breach of the regulations and Andreas is disqualified from the class, and must return the prizes. He was also fined 5,000 DKK (£582). He can appeal the decision within four weeks.

Andreas Helgstrand told H&H he had “nothing to do with the matter”, and asked H&H to obtain a statement from the treating vet.

The vet, Dyrlæge Jonas Rasmussen, told H&H he was called by the groom to examine Jovian who had “discomfort”, and he suspected colic.

Mr Rasmusseen said part of the examination including tubing Jovian, and the reason he used duphalyte and traumeel was because he knew that they are not on the FEI ESPL. He added that Jovian made a fast recovery, and within an hour and a half to two hours, he was “normal” again and eating.

“Straight after my exam and administration of traumeel and duphalyte, I emailed the veterinary consultant, Mette Uldahl. I wrote the email to be sure that nothing was hidden in what happened to the horse. Mette Uldahl did not respond to my email until the beginning of the following week,” said Mr Rasmussen.

“During the night and next morning Jovian was completely normal, and Andreas Helgstrand competed the horse. We have no intention to ride a horse that is not fit to compete.

“The Danish federation has now decided to take away Andreas’ title and fine him. The reason for this is that I should have made a phone call to Mette Uldahl before starting the ‘treatment’ of Jovian, and that Mette Uldahl disagreed with the treatment done. This is my mistake. I am very confused about this ruling, and I feel sorry for Andreas in this situation. I am still confident that in this situation I did the best for the horse.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The competition at the European Dressage Championships at Riesenbeck, Germany, is about to commence in earnest. But we’ve already had the first slice of the action, in the form of the European Dressage Championships trot-up, to whet the appetite for the excitement ahead.

It’s not quite as flamboyant as a Badminton or Burghley – team members have to adhere to their own dress code rather than go wild in turquoise suits. But you know you want a glimpse of all the British pairs and to see which teams had the smartest outfits…

The Brits

Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Gareth Hughes and Lottie Fry make up the British quartet. The Brits were dressed simply, in navy down jackets or gilets, navy chinos and brown suede boots. All wore helmets and gloves to present the British horses, too.

Charlotte Dujardin and 10-year-old Imhotep, gearing up for his second championship after last year’s worlds. Charlotte added a patriotic flourish with her Union Jack helmet.

Lottie Fry’s world champion ride, the Lord Leatherdale stallion Glamourdale, is led by Van Olst Horses’ Niek Haarlink, while Lottie watches on (right).

Carl Hester arrives at his 22nd championship, this time partnering the Bigwood family’s 13-year-old Fame, a new ride for Carl this year.

Gareth Hughes presents his 17-year-old mare Classic Briolinca, by Trento B, at their third major championship together.

European Dressage Championships trot-up photos

The one they all have to beat: reigning Olympic and European champions Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB. Jessica, representing the home nation Germany, wore the team navy suit with cream scarf, while the 16-year-old Easy Game mare Dalera sported a browband in the German flag colours.

For Ireland: a dash of emerald with a glittery helmet and silk scarf, worn by Abi Lyle, presenting Farrell.

It’s a sporty look for the Danish team, who will be vying for medals with hotshot Heiline’s Danciera and Carina Cassøe Krüth among the talented quartet.

Also for Denmark, Andreas Helgstrand brought forward his popular breeding stallion Jovian – who definitely looked to be enjoying the party.

Belgium were dressed very similarly to Denmark, with red tops and blue trousers. Here is the wonderful partnership of business manager Charlotte Defalque and 17-year-old Vivaldi stallion Botticelli. They have competed on junior, young rider, under-25 and senior teams together.

The Danish warmblood mare Cyprus Ophelia will make history as the mount of the first ever Cypriot rider to compete at a European Dressage Championships: Gabrielle H-Kiefer (not pictured). They are the first combination down the centre line in the grand prix on Wednesday (6 September). 

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Helgstrand Dressage has started legal proceedings against a television production company after hidden filming was allegedly carried out by an undercover reporter, posing as a groom.

On 14 June the Danish stud issued a statement claiming that Danish television production company TV2 had carried out the filming for Operation X, an undercover documentary series featuring journalist Morten Spiegelhauer.

“What would you say to being filmed with a hidden camera – and then shown on national television? This is exactly what the employees at Helgstrand have been exposed to by TV2. The recordings have been made by a mole from TV2’s programme Operation X,” read the Helgstrand statement.

Former Olympic rider and Helgstrand Dressage founder Andreas Helgstrand added that it was “incredibly offensive and deeply worrying” that he and his employees had their “privacy violated solely to create an exciting documentary”.

“Everyone who has to do with riding horses knows that horses are big and strong, and that they often requires aids. We also use that here at our place. We would have liked to have shown that on TV2. But no one in their [TV2’s] editorial office has contacted us in the hope of creating dialogue and understanding,” said Andreas.

“Why hasn’t TV2 asked if they could come and film our methods? Why has TV2 completely bypassed us, when now the entire program is apparently going to be about Helgstrand Dressage? Helgstrand Dressage has always wanted a transparent and open dialogue with both the press and the rest of society. That is why I am very sorry that TV2 has chosen the exact opposite. I strongly distance myself from that.”

Andreas said that “after working in secret, TV2 and Morten Spiegelhauer now want to set the agenda for an interview on their terms”. He added that as Helgstrand Dressage knows nothing about when and what was filmed, he has responded to the TV2 interview request in an open letter.

“Thank you for your call on 15 June. It was unpleasant that you recorded the phone conversation and only told me when I asked you if you recorded this conversation. In the same way, it is borderline unpleasant when you say and write that TV2 has employed a person as a horse keeper with us, who was in reality an agent with a hidden camera and with the instruction to find something to criticise and record it on video,” reads the letter.

“It’s uncomfortable because it feels the same as if there’s been a burglar in your house and messed around in your rooms and closets. Regardless of our openness and availability, Helgstrand Dressage is a private company and thus a private space.”

The letter states neither Andreas nor any of Helgstand’s employees lives “where the risk of being monitored and filmed by nationwide media is a built-in condition of our working day”.

“It is seen as extremely offensive and cannot be legal. If you had entered through the front door, you would have been welcome in the house and in a dialogue like everyone else. You are now asking me for a meeting with the purpose of rolling cameras to show me the material,” it states.

“Before I want to consider appearing for an interview, I ask TV2 to send me the complete raw tapes from the hidden recordings in advance, and when I have had the opportunity to review the material, we can agree on a date for the interview.”

In an update yesterday (22 June) Andreas said the public reaction to his first statement about the “secret deployment of a journalist with a hidden camera in employment as a groom” had been “overwhelming”.

He thanked people for all the “supportive and encouraging” messages, and said Helgstrand Dressage still did not know what had been filmed.

“It is in itself extremely unpleasant and quite extreme, also in relation to the employees, many of whom are young people. No one should go to work without knowing whether today they will be filmed on the job for later critical screening on national television,” he said.

“As someone has written on Facebook, we could just sit back and wait for TV2 to broadcast its program if we have nothing to hide. We believe that TV2’s choice of journalistic method is so far below the framework for what is permissible media behaviour in a civilised country like Denmark, that the courts of law must decide on the matter.”

He added that he believes the “societal consequences” of allowing the behaviour of TV2 to go unreported are “too great for all of us”.

“Therefore, we have today submitted a request for a ban to the court in Aalborg and a police report against TV2 and the involved employee,” he said.

Today (23 June) Andreas answered some questions on Facebook surrounding the matter, and when asked why he will not attend an interview with TV2, he said he believes the company makes “completely unreasonable demands”.

“I have never refused an interview with Morten, on the contrary, but we ask for the right to see the full material, in order to be able to give qualified answers. I run a global business, and would naturally like to have full insight into the details. The recordings apparently took place on our land, and the recordings most likely show our employees or myself, so it is probably right and reasonable that I get it reviewed before I comment,” he said.

When asked if he had “something to hide”, Andreas said “I don’t think I have anything to hide, but maybe it’s perceived that way”.

“I just ask for reasonable requirements, prior to an interview. That being said, I run a large company that doesn’t publicly share everything that goes on. Few companies do that. I also have great consideration to take when it comes to my staff.

“Our employees have been filmed without consent, and this creates great insecurity among our employees. No one wants to be filmed, unannounced, and shown on national television.”

TV2 executive producer Michael Nørgaard confirmed to H&H that TV2 is working on a documentary about Helgstrand Dressage and the plan is to broadcast it “later this year.”

“We do not wish to comment in detail on the contents of a program that we are still researching and have not yet published,” he said.

“In terms of the clandestine recordings, TV2 adheres to the guidelines of the ‘press ethical rules’ of the Danish Press Council; ‘Clandestine recordings should only be published if the persons involved have given their consent, or if the interests of society clearly supersede the claim for protection of the individual and it is not possible, or only possible with great difficulty, to obtain the necessary journalistic evidence in any other way’.”

Mr Nørgaard added that TV2 has offered Andreas Helgstrand the possibility of watching the “relevant section of the clandestine recordings without us filming him watching it.”

“We can confirm that we have received a request from Andreas Helgstrand’s lawyer to prohibit broadcasting of the documentary via the Danish judicial court,” he said.

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Palm Beach International Equestrian Center – home to the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) – is about to be renamed.

“We know it will take some getting used to, but we are very excited to reveal our new venue name this weekend,” said Michael Stone, President of Equestrian Sport Productions, with the announcement scheduled ahead of the 7.30pm start time for the $140,000 1.50m Series Final Classic CSI4* at the showground’s Saturday Night Lights event.

“The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center [PBIEC] is a storied facility, but the name is quite a mouthful and we have found it can be confusing to non-equestrians, who expect the facility to be located on Palm Beach Island,” Michael said.

The village of Wellington, where PBIEC is located, is some 17 miles inland from the island of Palm Beach.

Wellington’s claim to equestrian fame started in 1977 when polo pioneer Bill Ylvisaker bought 2000 acres of what was essentially wild and untamed marsh on the edge of the Florida Everglades and turned it into the internationally-renowned Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. High goal polo paved the way for Wellington to become an epicenter of winter equestrian activity, giving rise to both the Global Dressage Festival and the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“Now that the property has grown in popularity and is well-known, we are pleased to enter our next chapter with our new owners, Global Equestrian Group,” said Michael. “One of our first steps to advance the venue is to change our name to something that we feel is more modern and will open the facility to additional ventures.”

Global Equestrian Group acquired PBIEC in July of last year. Their first move was to conduct a survey in August to give them feedback from both riders and spectators. “We drew up a huge list of things we want to change, and we started prioritizing what is most important and working on it,” Global Equestrian Group CEO Andreas Helgstrand, said as WEF got underway in January.

“Currently, we are working on a five-year plan on the development of the whole facility. We cannot change everything in six months, not even in 18 months. We want to enhance WEF and maintain our position as the main event in this sport. Our ambition is to make it the world’s leading and most attractive venue.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Global Equestrian Group, which acquired the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre (PBIEC) – home to the Winter Equestrian Festival – in July 2021, has obtained two new companies in the United States to expand and support their market operations there.

Gold Coast Feed, official feed and bedding supplier to PBIEC, is one of the acquisitions by the company that according to the Global Equestrian Group website has a vision “to become the world’s leading equestrian company”.

“We see tremendous potential in Gold Coast Feed,” said Global Equestrian Group CEO Andreas Helgstrand. “The company has a prime location and good range of quality products. Gold Coast Feed already supplies PBIEC, so we are familiar with the company and their services. By adding this company to our group, we can enhance both service level and our great outreach to the equestrian market in Florida.”

ShowGrounds, LLC is the second acquisition. Located in Shelbourne Falls, MA, the company operates as the show management and streaming provider for equestrian events across the United States and Canada, currently assisting 17 major showgrounds in operating their results, schedules, orders, videos, and more.

“The Show Grounds Live platform fits perfectly with our group,” said Andreas. “We have already started an extensive journey on digitalization and acquiring Show Grounds Live will allow us to take another huge step on this path. With the combined efforts of Show Grounds Live and Global Equestrian Group, we can lift the equestrian event experience to a completely new level.”

Show Grounds Live retains an extensive content library with over a million videos and accommodates more than 200,000 unique streaming users. The organisation employs more than 25 people, including seasonal video operators.

Global Equestrian Group was established at the beginning of 2021. In February 2021 German showjumper Ludger Beerbaum Stables was acquired and joined the group as co-owner.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British Olympic team contenders will be in action at the first five-star dressage show of the year in Europe, which kicks off tomorrow at Compiègne, France. It will serve as the final outing for some of Britain’s top combinations ahead of Olympic team selection next month. 

As well as elite British riders, several Olympic team and medal contenders from other countries will be among those contesting the CDIO5* Nations Cup leg – the first of three in 2021 (the others are at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in July and Aachen, Germany, in September) – and the CDI3* competition, which runs alongside. 

The CDI3* grand prix will take place on Friday, 28 May, with the special and freestyle the following day, while the Nations Cup competition begins with the grand prix on Saturday and concludes with the special and freestyle on Sunday. Britain are the defending champions of the Compiègne Nations Cup leg, having won it in 2019 with Carl Hester, Richard Davison, Lottie Fry and Gareth Hughes. The show did not go ahead in 2020. 

A live stream is available; meanwhile, we round up the best Brits and most exciting combinations to watch…

Britain’s Nations Cup team

Lottie Fry – Dark Legend (13yo gelding, Zucchero x Tango)

A member of the 2019 winning British team here, Lottie brings forward her 2018 under-25 European champion and 2019 British senior Europeans team horse, Dark Legend (pictured, above). This tall, elegant gelding is one of two horses with whom Lottie has already made a strong bid for a place on the Tokyo Olympic team, and a good performance here could help cement this. In 2019, Lottie was the rookie of the British team at this Nations Cup; now she returns as the rider who could lead this trio to victory in Compiègne. 

Emile Faurie – Dono Di Maggio (14yo gelding, Dimaggio x Santander H)

This British-bred gelding is in the form of his life, and Emile will certainly have his eye on a place on another championship team – the pair were members of the British quartet that brought home team bronze from the World Equestrian Games in 2018. They missed their chance to compete in Belgium at the end of April, but enjoyed a super show at Wellington with plus-75% in the special. Compiègne could see their scores climb higher. 

Louise Bell – Into The Blue (15yo gelding, Ublesco x Calvaro Z)

This lovable pair of former working hunter champions are always crowd favourites, but that’s not all they bring to the table. This will be their fourth time on a Nations Cup team, and having enjoyed a positive run at Wellington earlier this month to help blow away the lockdown cobwebs, finishing third in the freestyle, expect to see them put in a solid showing here. 

Remaining British contingent in the CDI3*

Fiona Bigwood – Hawtins Delicato (13yo gelding, Diamond Hit x Regazzoni)

Olympic silver medallist Fiona made a successful international debut with Carl Hester’s former world medallist at Wellington in mid-May, and this will be the first time this new combination have ventured onto foreign soil to show the world what they can do. They make a good partnership and, while still getting to know each other, are capable of some very useful, and eye-catching, scores here. 

Lottie Fry – Everdale (12yo stallion, Lord Leatherdale x Negro)

After 15 months away from competition, this striking stallion burst back on to the international scene this spring, and most recently scored a plus-77% grand prix special win in Exloo, the Netherlands. He is up against his more experienced stablemate Dark Legend in the fight for a place on the Olympic team, but arguably has more potential to access the very highest scores. Compiègne will be an important test for these British Olympic team contenders. 

Laura Tomlinson – Rose Of Bavaria (11yo mare, Bordeaux x Florestan I)

Laura and “Betty’s” 2021 Olympic selection campaign was delayed in getting off the ground, after the mare suffered a reaction to an EHV vaccine earlier in the year. Happily, she is back to fitness and ready to throw her hat in the ring for an Olympic team place. They have had limited international outings so far, and haven’t crossed the Channel since last September, but you wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish among the leaders here. 

Richard Davison – Bubblingh (15yo gelding, Lingh x Picandt)

Four-time Olympian Richard has exercised impressive patience in developing this talented, but quirky home-bred “Bubbles”. They had a quiet 2020, returning to the international arena for the first time since March last year at Wellington CDI3*, where they performed strongly in the grand prix, but withdrew from the special. It will be interesting to see the impression they can make here.

Best of the rest

Cathrine Dufour DEN – Bohemian (11yo gelding, Bordeaux x Samarant)

Her multi-medalled Atterupgaards Cassidy made have just landed a fifth Danish national title for Cathrine, but it is this young superstar who will likely spearhead the Danish team in Tokyo. This will be his first international outing of 2021, but as he has already exceeded 82% in the special, and 88% in the freestyle – twice – you can expect impressive things, and quite possibly a victory, from him in the five-star tour here. 

Patrik Kittel SWE – Well Done De La Roche CMF (13yo mare, Furstentraum x Walt Disney)

Adding to the strong Scandinavian representation here is Patrik on his European team bronze medallist, who is expected to be his Tokyo contender. This will be an especially important appearance for the pair, who were eliminated on their first outing since last July, at Mariakalnok in Hungary, after traces of blood were spotted in the mare’s mouth. They have a good track record at Compiègne, having finished second in the five-star special in 2019 behind Britain’s Gareth Hughes. 

Continued below…

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Andreas Helgstrand DEN – Fiontini (11yo mare, Fassbinder x Romanov)

Until late last year, it had been more than four years since world and Olympic medallist Andreas had competed internationally at grand prix level, instead concentrating on his rapidly expanding sales and breeding business. However, since taking over the ride on this talented mare from former Helgstrand head rider Severo Jurado Lopez, he has enjoyed a string of good results that could put him in contention for a position on the Danish Olympic team this summer. Another strong showing here in the CDI3* would boost those chances. 

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – Glock’s Zonik (13yo stallion, Blue Hors Zack x Romanov)

This will be Hans Peter’s first competition aboard his partner Edward Gal’s European medallist Zonik, having announced earlier this week that he would be taking over the ride on this imposing stallion. With Edward concentrating on younger grand prix rides, Zonik hasn’t competed since January 2020, where he scored over 85% to finish third in the freestyle at Amsterdam. It will be fascinating to see what Hans Peter can bring out of him in the CDI3* in Compiègne. 

All seven US horses originally entered at Compiegne – three in the CDIO5* and four in the young rider section – have been withdrawn due to “adverse results” among the the horses’ EHV-1 test results, conducted before their departure.

In a statement, US Equestrian said: “In accordance with the FEI Return to Competition protocols, all U.S. horses were tested for EHV-1 prior to departure from their layover base to the competition venue. A limited number of PCR tests returned with adverse results. Horses within the US contingent have not shown any symptoms or clinical signs of the virus, are not febrile, and are all vaccinated. Out of an abundance of precaution, the team has decided to withdraw. US Equestrian is working directly with the FEI to determine appropriate next steps and an acceptable timeline for a return to competition based on the outlined protocols.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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We have rounded up some of the greatest, most memorable dressage freestyle performances of all time. Turn the volume up, and enjoy...

Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matiné (DEN) at WEG 2006

This pair shot to fame after winning individual silver in 2006 with this electrifying performance to a pop medley that scored 81.5%. The enormous Aachen crowd were unable to resist joining in for the final section, as this enchanting mare passaged up the centre line perfectly on the beat to their Lady Marmalade music.

Isabell Werth on Gigolo (GER) at Atlanta Olympics 1996

At the inauguration of dressage freestyle into the Olympic Games programme, it was this routine that won Isabell Werth her first – and, to date, only – Olympic individual gold medal, as she edged out arch rival Anky van Grunsven to take gold on 76.6% with the legendary Gigolo. It set the standard for grand prix kürs, with a soundtrack really designed to enhance the horse and tell a story, rather than just acting as background music.

Edward Gal on Totilas (NED) at Olympia 2009

Who could forget this world record-breaking freestyle by Edward Gal and the one-and-only Totilas? The legendary black stallion produced a performance unlike anything anybody in the dressage world had seen before and blew the judges away with 92.3%, finishing at the top of the leaderboard with a 10% margin.

Laura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Højris (GBR) at London Olympics 2012

Possibly one of the most well choreographed and befitting freestyles of all time, this performance from Britain’s Laura Bechtolsheimer (now Tomlinson) and Mistral Højris earned them 84.339% and individual Olympic bronze. The catchy Lion King medley suits “Alf” down to the ground, and Laura’s emotion and pride in her horse at her final halt is a delight to see.

Anky van Grunsven on Salinero (NED) at WEG 2006

She’s long been known as the “Queen of the Kür”, and has a plethora of standout freestyle performances, including with her Olympic champion Bonfire. But this one of Salinero’s, entitled L’Espirit Chanson and created by Dutch composers Cees Slings and Victor Kerkhof, may well be the best of all. It also features Anky’s own vocals accompanying her canter half-pass sequence. This particular performance earned her 86.1% and the world championship title.

Carl Hester on Nip Tuck (GBR) at Olympia 2016

This intricate freestyle was set to music by Tom Hunt, and based on Mr Selfridge. A masterclass in how to use a floorplan to really show off a horse’s strengths, it suited the quirky “Barney” down the ground, with the eye-watering level of difficulty really highlighting the tall gelding’s straightness and talent for the collected work. He may not be as flamboyant a mover as many top horses, but with the first centre line alone featuring a full piaffe pirouette, passage and a double canter pirouette, this routine certainly has plenty of wow factor, scoring 84.669% for the win here.

Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz on Fuego De Cardenas (ESP) at WEG 2010

A freestyle full to the brim with energy and Spanish flair, this thrilling performance earned the pair a resounding standing ovation in the giant Kentucky stadium, as well as fifth place with 81.45%. The Spanish flamenco-style music, composed by Michael Erdmann, was superbly suited to this PRE stallion, and the excited and very vocal American crowd went wild for Juan’s one-handed centre lines.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB (GER) at Rotterdam Europeans 2019

This exquisite, more recent performance, which earned Jessica her first ever individual medal – bronze, with 89.107% – is sure to go down in history. The beautiful music from La La Land really suits the tall elegant mare, and her equally elegant rider, perfectly and the sheer harmony between the combination is a delight to witness.

Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro (GBR) at London Olympics 2012

And finally, arguably the greatest of them all! Charlotte and Valegro produced so many dazzling freestyles, setting new world records at Olympia in both 2013 and 2014 along the way, but it is their gloriously British performance from London 2012 that will always stick the most firmly in so many minds. Having already lead Britain to a historic team gold, they stunned the Greenwich Park crowds with their memorable routine featuring Land of Hope and Glory and the chimes of Big Ben to score 90.089% and become Olympic champions.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Helgstrand Dressage is owned by the 2008 Olympic team bronze medallist Andreas Helgstrand and his wife Marianne. Since its establishment in 2008 Helgstrand Dressage has won 11 medals at the World Championships for young horses and the more established horses impress at Prix St. George and grand prix level both nationally and internationally.
 Here, we take a look around and to read the full feature on Helgstrand Dressage, don’t miss the latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (dated 14 March 2019)

1. The beautiful yard near Aalborg in the north of Denmark had humble beginnings

The original buildings were built for cattle and machinery and it wasn’t until Andreas Helgstrand bought the property in 2009 that it was transformed into the state-of-the-art stallion station and sales and training centre that it is today. The business has grown fast, and the yard with it — every year has seen some form of expansion.

2. The stables are cleaner and brighter than most people’s homes

The stable barns at Helgstrand all ooze Scandi cool with their minimalist Danish design, featuring white washed walls, high vertex ceilings and skylights. They are kept immaculately clean and tidy, as are their occupants.

3. The staff enjoy enviable working conditions

Helgstrand Dressage employs almost 100 staff, all of whom benefit from competitive salaries and working hours many grooms can only dream of — no one works past 5pm. Overlooking the huge main indoor arena is a spacious cafe, where fresh, healthy food is served at lunchtime, with all riders, grooms and other staff encouraged to take a proper break.

4. You can buy any horse on the yard

With some of the most talented young dressage horses in the world residing within Helgstrand’s gleaming white walls, you might expect Andreas to keep at least a few to ride himself. but no — every horse on the yard is for sale, including the world young horse champions Revolution (pictured) and D’Avie.

“You cannot make money if you keep the good ones for yourself,” reasons Andreas.

5. The outdoor arena features no ordinary dressage letters

The unique dressage letters used around the beautiful 20x60m outdoor arena were made specially for Andreas in Italy, out of a special plant that can withstand the harsh temperatures of the Danish winter, which can drop below -10 degrees.

6. The local Pony Club benefits from some of the Helgstrand facilities

Just over the road from the main stables is the Helgstrand Dressage VIP Lounge and vast competition arenas, which host a CDI in the summer and the Danish championships in 2019. Also based here is the local Pony Club, which benefits from some of the very best riding facilities out there, and regular para riding lessons also take place here.

To read the full feature on Helgstrand Dressage, don’t miss the latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (dated 14 March 2019)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A two-year-old stallion has made history at the Hanoverian licensing and stallion sale in Verden, selling for more than €2million (£1.78million) on Saturday 27 October.

The unnamed premium stallion by Vivaldi, out of a state premium mare Desiree, by Dancier, was bought by the new Schockemöhle-Helgstrand Dressage collaboration, with Andreas Helgstrand placing the winning bid of €2,010,000 (£1,789,320) after a 20-minute bidding war with Norway’s Kristin Andresen.

“Another achievement of this new joint cooperation between Schockemöhle and Helgstrand is the beautiful and harmoniously moving Vivaldi x Dancier,” said the Schockemöhle stallion station.

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The stunning liver chestnut, who particularly impressed with his fantastic movement, was bred in Hesse, Germany, by Ulrike Buurman, who said she was “thrilled to be known internationally as an excellent breeder”.

Ulrike sold him at just a few days old to Ernst and Rosi Kemper at Hengsthaltung Kemper in Heiden, Germany, who presented him in Verden.

The Vivaldi son is the most expensive horse ever bought at a stallion licensing auction, the previous record being €1.2million, also paid by Andreas Helgstrand for Revolution in 2015. Revolution (Rocky Lee x Rouletto) was this year’s winner of the world championship for five-year-old horses in Ermelo.

The best-selling warmblood of all time, however, is still the Australian-bred Hanoverian SPH Dante, who was sold to Russia as a six-year-old for €2.8million at the 2014 PSI auction.

Schockemöhle-Helgstrand, along with Joop van Uytert, also purchased a second premium stallion at the sale, this time a Lord Leatherdale x Boston son for €800,000.

Continued below…

Foal sells for €81,000 at elite dressage auction

The top-priced foal was purchased by the owner of many top grand prix horses

Bugatti sells for €180,000 at elite auction

Top prices achieved in Verden, home to the Hanoverian Elite Auction

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In total, 46 dressage stallions were licensed for breeding over the weekend, with 12 of these given the status of premium stallion. Of the 12, three were by Vivaldi.

Seven jumping stallions were also given premium status and it was Ireland’s Cian O’Connor who became the proud new owner of the top-priced showjumper at the subsequent auction — a dark bay premium stallion by Kannan x Stolzenberg, bred and presented by Ulrich Heuer. He was sold to Cian for €150,000 (£134,000).

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Danish dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand has come under fire once again after photos posted of him riding sparked welfare complaints online.

Danish equestrian website Epona.tv. published a complete series of photos (one pictured above) of the rider warming up grand prix mare Torveslettens Stamina at the CDI in Falsterbo in July.

The position of the horse’s head and neck has caused anger among dressage fans.

However, Andreas said he was not contacted “during warm-up nor at any other time during the entire show in Falsterbo” by a steward, official, technical delegated or ground jury.

“Force, violence or other types of abuse are contra-productive to our goal and against our fundamental values,” he added.

Copy on the Epona.tv site alongside the photos reads: “No yellow cards were given out in Falsterbo this year. Chief Steward Eva Wiklund saw no reason for it.

“She must have found this riding unforced and non-aggressive, since forced and aggressive use of the reins to induce hyperflexion is banned by the FEI and should cause the steward to intervene.

“We’ll ask Eva Wiklund how she distinguishes between what we see in the photos and the banned kind of hyperflexion which relies on harsh rein aids.”

Andreas countered that with modern cameras it is “very easy to take so many pictures in a second that you get still photographs where a horse, a rider or an equipage looks either fantastic or hopeless, simply because the photograph only shows a tiny part of a continuing movement”.

He added: “At Helgstrand Dressage, we strive to educate and ride all our horses in a way that enables each individual horse to reach the highest possible level. We train and compete according to the rules and assessments of the judges in our sport.

“Stamina is an incredibly supple horse, and with a rider in the saddle, she naturally bends into dressage posture.

“The horse can easily be ridden in a snaffle bridle or with completely loose curb rein. Consequently, I use a baby double bridle for training and shows.

“If it was allowed to ride the higher classes without a double bridle, I would be happy to show Stamina in a snaffle bridle, also the high level exercises.”

A spokesman for the FEI told H&H the organisation and the Danish National Federation were both investigating the matter.

“We have already contacted the chief steward at Falsterbo to ask for a full report specifically on this episode, in addition to the normal event report that has already been sent to the FEI,” said a spokesman.

“The FEI dressage committee is also looking at ways to ensure that the rules work more effectively to protect horse welfare and that they are enforced more strenuously by our officials.

“The FEI has horse welfare at the core of everything we do, and we cannot allow misinterpretation of the rules — whether deliberate or inadvertent — by any member of our community.”

This is the second time that Andreas’ training techniques has come under scrutiny.

Earlier this year an investigation by the Danish Equestrian Federation found him guilty of “improper use of bit and bridle.”

He had been under fire since April 2013 after social media users accused the rider of abusing his top ride Akeem Foldager.

Andreas was warned not to repeat the offence within the next two year’s otherwise it will be considered “aggravated circumstance”.

The case was started after pictures of Andreas riding Akeem Foldager at an open day last year (12 April) were released by Epona.tv.

The pictures showed the horse being ridden in a double bridle with its mouth open, revealing a blue tongue — thought to be caused by a lack of blood supply. There also appeared to be spur marks on the horse’s side.

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A case against a leading Danish dressage rider’s training techniques has finally been completed by the Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF).

Andreas Helgstrand has been under fire since last April after a social media campaign accused the rider of using abusing his top ride Akeem Foldager.

His national federation stated yesterday (2 February) that the appeal committee ruled that he was guilty of “improper use of bit and bridle.”

Andreas was warned not to repeat the offence within the next two year’s otherwise it will be considered “aggravated circumstance”.

The case was started after pictures of Andreas riding Akeem Foldager at an open day last year (12 April) were released by Danish TV station Epona.tv (pictured).

The pictures showed the horse being ridden in a double bridle with its mouth open, revealing a blue tongue — thought to be caused by a lack of blood supply. There also appeared to be spur marks on the horse’s side.

Continued below…

‘Blue tongue’ leads to social media outrage

Danish rider has been accused of 'improper use of equipment,' after his horse was pictured with a blue tongue last

The week after the open day (19 April), the DRF sent a vet to his yard to check the horse.

The investigation concluded that Andreas’ use of the double bridle had been “completely unacceptable”.

“The bluish discoloration and reduction in reaction of the right jaw is a clear case of improper use of equipment,” the report stated.

The incident led to several high-profile sponsors dropping Andreas and also meant he was not eligible for selection for last summer’s World Equestrian Games.

At the end of last year (28 November) a court in Aalborg acquitted Andreas of all animal cruelty charges.

”I am very happy about the ruling of the court; it is important for me personally, but also for the sport in general,” Andreas said in a statement afterwards.

“It has been quite tough to have these accusations hovering, but my family and I are now focusing on the future instead.”

Andreas’ father Ulf has served as president of the DRF since 2003.

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Social media has once again put dressage training methods in the spotlight, leading to reprimands and lost sponsorship for one top Danish rider.

Danish TV station Epona.tv released pictures of Andreas Helgstrand riding his top horse Akeem Foldager at an open day last month (12 April).

The footage showed the horse being ridden in a double bridle with its mouth open, revealing a blue tongue — thought to be caused by a lack of blood supply. There also appeared to be spur marks on the horse’s side.

In 2009, there was similar public outrage when a video of Swedish rider Patrik Kittel schooling his horse, who was showing a blue tongue, appeared on YouTube. The FEI investigated, but took no action. 

In response to the pictures posted of Andreas, the Danish Equestrian Federation sent a vet to his yard the next week (19 April) to check the horse.

The investigation concluded that Andreas’ use of the double bridle had been “completely unacceptable”. 

“The bluish discoloration and reduction in reaction of the right jaw is a clear case of improper use of equipment,” the report stated.

The vet also found the horse had a cyst on his side, which is believed to have been caused by clippers rather than spurs.

Andreas has agreed to follow the advice of the vet.

“Akeem will not be trained until he is 100% ready and, at the same time, we will go through his equipment and the use of it,” he said in a statement. “We have spoken with the manufacturer of the bit in order to find one that is more suitable.”

Andreas has since been dropped by several of his leading sponsors — including feed company Equsana.

“Equsana puts horse welfare and ethics high and having to comply with these rules is part of the sponsorship agreement,” said a company spokesman. “It is therefore the veterinarian report that underlies Equsana’s final decision to terminate the sponsorship.”

Tack store Passier is also reviewing its relationship with the rider.

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Blue Hors Matiné, the stunning grey mare who stole hearts by winning grand prix freestyle silver at the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games (WEG) under Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, is retiring to stud.

The 12-year-old horse injured herself falling when getting off the lorry at the World Cup final Las Vegas in 2007. Since then, Blue Hors Stud’s attempt to return her to competition fitness — first with Andreas and this year under new stable jockey Sune Hansen — have failed.

The mare, by Blue Hors Silver Moon, also took bronze at WEG in the grand prix special.

After her accident in Las Vegas owners hoped the mare would be right for the 2008 Olympics, but scans showed some damage to her tendon had not completely healed. Andreas and the stud did not want to risk running the horse below par in Hong Kong on veterinary advice.

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Andreas Helgstrand, born on 2 October 1977, has been the Danish national dressage champion and a World Equestrian Games silver medalist.

He began riding as a child, but did not start his professional career until years later when his father bought some horses.

The first discipline Andreas competed in was showjumping, when he rode at the European young rider jumping championships.

It was only after working towards equestrian qualifications at …lborg with S ¸ren Valentin that he developed a passion for dressage.

After completing his exams, Andreas trained with Danish dressage rider Anna van Olst in Holland, before taking a job in Norway for 18 months where he trained junior and young riders.

In 2001, Andreas was asked to work at Blue Hors Stud as their top rider. He remained there until 2008, when he left to concentrate on his own business – Helgstrand Dressage.

Andreas represented Denmark at the 2004 Olympics and later that year went on to win the FEI World Cup Western European league qualifier, in Stockholm’s Globen Arena, with Blue Hors Cavan.

In 2006, he claimed silver and bronze at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, on the famous grand prix mare Blue Hors Matine.

Andreas won his fourth national grand prix title in 2008 at the Danish dressage championships in Broholm and took team bronze for Denmark at the Hong Kong Olympics.

The dressage rider is married and has two children.

Major achievements:

• Andreas was the Danish national dressage champion in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

• 2008 – Andreas was part of the Olympic bronze winning team on the stallion Blue Hors Don Schufro

• 2006 – Individual silver and bronze medal-winner at the World Equestrian Games

• 2005 – Finished fifth in the World Cup (Blue Hors Cavan)

• 2004 – Represented Denmark in the Athens Olympic Games

Andreas Helgstrand, who took silver at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 on Blue Hors Matine, became Danish national dressage champion for the fourth time in Broholm, Denmark on 13-15 June.

He took the grand prix, special and kür riding the stallion Blue Hors Don Schufro, scoring up to 79%. Helgstrand previously won the championships on different horses, Blue Hors Cavan, Matine and Gredstedgaards Casmir. Helgstrand could contest either Don Schufro or Casmir in Hong Kong this August.

Britains’ Fiona Bigwood’s 18-year old Afrikka finished fourth with her partner Anders Dahl.

Meanwhile Anky van Grunsven took the grand prix and kür on Painted Black at CDI Cannes, France (12-15 June), pocketing €20,000. The international show jumping show was holding dressage at the event for the first time.

Wayne Channon was the sole British representative, finishing 10th in the grand prix on Lorenzo CH with 62.91% and third in the special.

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Blue Hors Matine, silver medallist at the Aachen World Equestrian Games with Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, will not contest the 2008 Olympics.

The grey mare has not competed since injuring herself when falling off a lorry ramp on arrival at the 2007 Las Vegas World Cup more than a year ago.

Scans show that some damage to the mare’s tendon has not completely healed and Andreas and the stud do not want to risk running the horse below par in Hong Kong on veterinary advice.

Andreas plans to compete his 2008 World Cup ride, Gredstedgaards Casmir, at the games instead.

Blue Hors Matine and Andreas Helgstrand at the World Equestrian Games

Other notables who will not be contesting the Olympics include Danish rider Lone Jorgensen, who feels the Olympics are too soon for her talented eight-year old mare Donna Asana, and Belgian rider Jeroen Devroe, whose horse Paganini has suffered a tendon injury.

The British Olympic dressage team is due to be named on 25 June.

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Andreas Helgstrand’s (DEN) World silver medalist Blue Hors Matine has failed the initial vet check at the dressage World Cup final in Las Vegas.

The nine-year-old mare was unlevel in trot. Helgstrand can re-present her at 9am today — around 6pm GMT — but may choose not to.

All the other horses passed their inspection, including the only British representative, Wayne Channon’s Lorenzo CH.

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