The last couple of days, Daniel and Dark Diamond have participated in U-25 at the international show in Odense. On Friday they started the U-25 Grand Prix and won the class with a score of 67.81%. Saturday, they won the Grand Prix Kür with 68.22%.

The Danish Equestrian Federation's dressage championships have now come to an end. Sezuan met the high expectations and won the championship. As a result, Sezuan now holds the title as the best 4-year-old horse in Denmark!!

Sezuan won the finals with 9.68 points. He received superb separate marks: trot: 10, walk: 8.9, canter: 10, rideability: 9.5 and capacity: 10. Marianne and Super Mario placed 5th, scoring 8.66 points. Thomas and Eclectisch placed right behind Marianne as 6th with 8.54 points. Emma and Zgander placed 7th with 8.52 points. Finally, Emma and Zardetto finished 13th with 8.16 points.

Floricello third in finals for 5-year-old horses

In the finals for 5-year-old horses, Andreas and Floricello finished third with 8.56 points. Daniel placed 7th and 8th with Didando and Zidane, respectively. 

Yet another good show with several of our young horses placed in the top of the classes. The results from this year's championships show that Helgstrand Dressage has the best 4- and 5-year-old stallions at the moment.

Today, Jens and Uno started the Young Rider kür. Once again, they did really well and finished second with 72.833%.

Tomorrow, the championship finals for 4-, 5- 6-year-old horses will begin. Emma and Eastpoint will start the first class for 4-year-old horses at 2.30 p.m. We are lookning forward to starting the exciting finals and we will keep our fingers crossed that many of our horses will go directly on to the finals on Thursday.

The huge JBK show in Odense has already started for Helgstrand Dressage. Our master rider student Jens and Uno participated in a young rider class today. Their very nice ride was rewarded a great score of 72.281%, and as a result they finished second in the class. Tomorrow afternoon, they will participate in a young rider kür.

Tomorrow, Monday, we will take the young horses to Odense for the championship finals. The vet check of the young horses takes place Monday night, and the young horse competitions start Tuesday.

This weekend, two riders from Helgstrand Dressage participated in two classes at a regional show in Hjallerup Rideklub. Saturday, Charlotte and San World made a great performance and won the LA1, scoring 75.00%. Sunday, Daniel and Zandro won the MA1, after a nice ride which resulted in a score of 70.139%.

Once again, Andreas and Darlings Dream finished first. This time, thanks to a great performance in Grand Prix, which was awarded with a score of 72.411%. It was Darlings Dream's debut in Grand Prix, and it turned out to be an emphatic and great debut for the 11-year-old gelding.

The last class at the competition was MB3, which Daniel and Herzregent won with 67.625%; Marianne and Daylie finished right after as second with a score of 66.938%.

Lately, we have received several inquiries regarding a video of our newly acquired Dutch stallion Didando. Below a short video of the 5-year-old stallion by Tuchinski and with Jetset as damsire. 

Last night, Andreas and Darlings Dream finished first in Intermediare II with an impressive score of 73.684%. Daniel and Dark Diamond placed 5th with 69.386%. In MA1, the first class Saturday, Daniel and De Chirico placed second with a score of 70.046; Marianne and Sitana placed 5th with 68.148%.

Helgstrand Dressage is always extremely focused on the wellbeing of all our horses. However, recently one of the horses has received special attention; our veterinarian Jonas Rasmussen has the following up-date on the work with Akeem Foldager:

”Since Akeem did not perform optimally at the European Championship, we suspected that it might be due to his allergy. Consequently, we examined his lungs and made tests in order to clarify the situation concerning his pollen allergy. Akeem has been treated for pollen allergy previously," explains Veterinarian Jonas Rasmussen from Højgård Hestehospital.

Jonas has made several tests and examinations on Akeem.

”We have e.g. taken blood samples before and after Akeem has been ridden. In order to check whether Akeem oxides the blood sufficiently, and I was very pleased to establish that Akeem oxides the blood perfectly normal and has the right lunge capacity,” says Jonas Rasmussen.

Even though the tests and examinations have not shown anything unusual, the veterinarian is still following the young gelding closely.

”Allergy cannot be cured, and therefore, you need to keep an eye on the horse. In order to collect data, ensuring that Akeem receives the best possible treatment, Akeem carries a heart rate monitor with GPS, which monitors the horse's work and its condition. The data from the monitor provide an insight into the horse's condition and at the same time, it will reveal if Akeem experiences any problems,” explains Jonas Rasmussen.

However, it is not only the veterinarians who help and support Akeem. Andreas Helgstrand works continually to develop his work around the horse.

”The wellbeing of the horse does not only concern the examinations performed by the veterinarians. The way we work with the horse plays an important role. No two horses are exactly alike, and you have to adapt your training to the needs of each horse,” explains Andreas Helgstrand.

As a result, Akeem and Andreas Helgstrand now spend more time outside than previously, and part of the daily training no longer takes place in the riding hall.

”For instance, his physical training is now done outside instead of indoor. This enables Akeem to see and experience more, which is also an important aspect when training horses with huge capacity,” explains Andreas Helgstrand.

Akeem is expected to be ready to start in Odense in October, however, Andreas Helgstrand emphasises that if the young gelding turns out not to be ready for the competition after all, then Akeem will not participate in the show in Odense.

This weekend, the riders from Helgstrand Dressage are participating in a national show in Ikast. Daniel and Marianne started a few classes on Friday; Daniel and De Chirico won the Prix St. George with a great score of 71.579%. In MB2, Daniel placed second with Herzregent, scoring 70.197%, and Marianne placed fourth with Daylie, scoring 68.816%.

Saturday, the riders will participate in MA1 and Intermediare II.