Pictures: Springbank II VH with Betina Jæger and Valverde with Eva Möller.

In record time, Helgstrand Dressage has developed to become one of the most successful dressage stables in the world with extraordinary results based on a very solid and skilled team. Numerous of Champion stallions, Bundeschampions, World Champions and winners of championships – not to mention all the impressive results from previous Helgstrand-horses all around the world. All very desirable horses that attract much attention - this time by the German rider Yara Reichert. Yara has secured two outstanding dressage horses: 7-year-old Valverde by Vitalis/Ampére (bred by Reesink Pferde) and 7-year-old Springbank II VH by Skovens Rafael/De Niro (bred by Tobias Hansson/ Västra Hoby Stuteri AB).

-It means a lot to me when a rider as Yara reaches out to me to help her find the perfect match. The fact, that she falls in love with the two best breeding stallions is a great recognition of the whole team. The success does not only lie with the one who finds and selects the good stallions, but also with the whole team that ensures the education and healthy development, preparing them for the most difficult exercises of the dressage sport, Andreas says. He looks very much forward to following Yara and the stallions on their journey towards Grand Prix.

Valverde and Springbank II VH are some of the most popular stallions in the stallion collection – not only in Denmark, but also globally. They both show great qualities and talent for the difficult exercises making them very promising as Grand Prix horses. With Eva Möller in the saddle, Valverde has delivered a huge number of impressive results including: Winner of the Westphalia Championship three times in a row, 5-year-old Bundeschampion, Silver medalist as a 4-year-old while also being Champion Stallion in Westphalia. At the same time, Springbank II VH has ruled the Swedish show grounds with especially three Championship titles, recently with Betina Jæger. Moreover, Springbank II VH impressed the breeding commission in Danish Warmblood and took the title as Champion Stallion while also sovereignly winning his 35-day test.

-We select some of the best horses in the world and these two stallions are not only in possession of qualities much-coveted by breeders but also great abilities and qualities that look promising for top sport performances. It is unfortunate that we disappoint the breeders by not having the horses in our stables any longer, but we hope that everyone is interested in watching the horses develop and become a part of the international elite – this is definitely something both stallions deserve, Andreas adds and continues: luckily the breeders can be happy that both horses still will be available for breeding.

Greater demand than ever

-We are proud that we have developed a concept demanded by top riders from all over the world, however, we would like to encourage the breeders to continuously combine the strongest bloodlines in order to continue the production of even more top dressage horses. They are in high demand right now – especially the 5-7-year-olds - and we actually have a hard time supplying the customers with horses, Andreas concludes.

Semen orders 2021

Valverde and Springbank II VH will be available by frozen semen during this year’s breeding season. All inquiries must be directed to partner of Helgstrand Dressage, Deckstation Paul Schockemöhle in Mühlen or to Manager of Helgstrand Stallions Lene Birkemose at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +45 22 57 44 11. Please direct any potential questions to Lene Birkemose.

Picture: Valuable by Valverde/ Sezuan (bred by Lena and Rasmus Dalsgaard) sold at the Helgstrand-Schockemöhle International Online Auction 2020 at the price of 79.000 EUR

 With a stallion from Helgstrand or Schockemöhle you are guaranteed to get an offspring of absolute top quality. The stallions in our collection represent some of the strongest bloodlines in the world. The collection includes several titles such as champion stallions, winners of performance tests, national champions and several world champions.

Last year, Helgstrand and Schockemöhle launched their first online foal auction together including offspring from both stallion stations. The auction was a great success, and the foals were distributed all over the world.

- We experience a great demand for yet another auction, as the breeders were very fond with the auctions last year. However, the demand also comes from clients from all over the world. Therefore, we have chosen to hopefully repeat the success and host yet another online foal auction, Esben Møller, who is in charge of the auction, tells.

The online auction will be held during the days between 16th – 22nd of June 2021.

WATCH THE ONLINE AUCTION NOW: https://bid.ps-online.auction/auctions/74858df8-6032-4069-a605-08d926601807

Registration and conditions

Helgstrand-Schockemöhle International Online Auction is directed to the breeders with offspring from either Helgstrand or Schockemöhle stallions which they wish to sell. The auction committee selects the foals based on a pre-inspection and the breeders will be informed about the selection afterwards.

At Helgstrand we desire to support our breeders and therefore, we also offer free sales material on the foals that take part in the pre-inspection but will not get selected for the auction.

Registration to the pre-inspection per e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone +45 22 57 44 11. No later than Monday 10th of May 2021.

Inspection dates:

May 7th: Mühlen, Germany

May 14 th: Helgstrand Academy, Uggerhalne - Randers and Middelfart

May 15 th: Hillerød and Ringsted

May 23 rd: South Germany

In case you have any questions, please contact Esben Møller, who is in charge of the auction:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone +45 52 24 85 15.

Picture: Vivino with previous rider Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard.

This year’s breeding season has come off with an amazing start and we have experienced an increasing demand for our stallions. This is justified by the great number of coveted stallions, who perform very well in the sport – something that is noticed all around the world – and also the reason that we can now congratulate yet another Grand Prix rider with the purchase of a stallion of absolute top quality, namely Vivino by Vivaldi/Dancier. A stallion who impressed everyone and took the title as Champion at the Hanoverian licensing in 2018. By the following auction, Helgstrand succeeded in purchasing the promising stallion together with Schockemöhle for no less than 2,01 mio euro.

The international successful dressage rider Alejandro Asencio Méndez has once again visited Helgstrand Dressage. Alejandro has developed several horses from youngster to Grand Prix level and he already has two superb Grand Prix horses in his stable – he is qualified for the Olympics with one of them.

“I tried several horses at Helgstrand, but Vivino gave me the exact right feeling, right away. It is obvious for everyone that he possesses three amazing gaits, but you probably cannot see from the ground, that he is super attentive towards his rider. A quality I highly appreciate,” Alejandro tells – he looks very much forward to welcoming Vivino to his stable later this week.

“I look forward to getting to know him and this will of course take a little while. However, after that, my ambitions are to qualify him to the World Championships for Young Horses,” Alejandro expresses – he has purchased Vivino together with EQUIFOAL.

We have already seen the first offspring by Vivino and the represent the same unique qualities as himself. They look astonishing, have a noble and modern expression and plenty of movement and scope. Vivino has proven that his performance within the sport also is very high quality – with Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard in the saddle he has demonstrated outstanding skills. The same qualities that convinced Alejandro, who looks very much forward to the further development of Vivino.

“It has been a pure pleasure riding this horse – and especially lately he has definitely developed a lot. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to show him at this year’s stallion shows, but many might have watched the online stallion presentation from earlier this year. He has an amazing power, and you can truly feel, how he wants to work. Alejandro and he constitute the perfect match, and we look forward to following them on their way to top sport,” Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard tells.

Vivino is by Vivaldi, who has had an exceptional career in the sport and is likewise the sire to many successful breeding stallions and Grand Prix horses. Moreover, he is in the top of the WBFSH ranking. His dam sire Dancier was also announced champion stallion at the Hannoverian licensing and has since then delivered top performances on the show grounds up till Prix St. Georges level.

The new owners have chosen to focus on getting to know Vivino within this breeding season, which is why he solely will be available with frozen semen by directing inquiries to Helgstrand Dressage. As of 2022, the plan is for him to be available for fresh semen again through a EU stallion station.

In case of any questions, please direct them to Lene Birkemose at +45 22 57 44 11 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRESS RELEASE

As a result of prolonged restrictions related to COVID-19 and EHV-1 respectively, we are unfortunately forced to face the aggravating truth, that Equitour 2021 cannot be held in the format that we wished and hoped for.

Last year, we were also challenged with restrictions, and yet again we must face that the current restrictions do not allow us to establish an international event alongside the Danish Championships with reasonable safety and quality for both horses and riders. Together with EEF and Danish Equestrian Federation we have therefore decided, that the CSIO3* will be postponed and hosted on June 10th – 13th. This decision was made with the hope for facilitation in terms of quarantine rules and travelling restrictions in order to go through with this event.

However, we proceed our planning of the national show and the Danish Dressage Championships as normally - this will be held May 21st- 23rd 2021. Due to the continuous restrictions related to COVID-19, this show will unfortunately be held without the possibility to invite any spectators.

“It is a real shame, that we aren’t able to complete the Equitour Event in 2021 as planned, however it is highly prioritized that we can ensure safety for both horses and riders. Based on the current restrictions we have made the difficult decision to dIvide the show, which hopefully means that we are able to welcome both dressage and jumping in Uggerhalne in 2021. We hope that the terrible virus situation soon subsides, and we can return even stronger in 2022 with a festive and exciting Equitour,” says Martin Thorbøll Pedersen, Head of Events and Partnerships.

We look forward to a normalized world situation, hopefully soon, and cannot wait to welcome you back at our facilities in Denmark.

Until then, we hope for everyone to stay safe and be careful with the virus for both humans and horses.

In case of any questions, please direct them to:

Martin Thorbøll Pedersen, Head of Events and Partnerships

M: +45 22 89 31 45

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Picture: Horses at Helgstrand Youngsters

PRESS RELEASE

Back in 2018, horse owner Jacob Wandt encountered a problem with the supply on the market of foaling alarms for horses. There were only a few, and very expensive products to choose from. With a background from the IT world, Jacob therefore launched a project to develop both a better and cheaper foaling alarm. By the end of 2020, the Ruxbury product became a reality, and the final product includes - in addition to a foaling alarm - a wide range of other features that are ideal for any horse owner, professional or amateur rider. The product includes health data from the horse, information that can limit injuries and a number of features related to training of the horse. The final solution consists of a small device with a built-in heart rate monitor - which is easily and conveniently attachable to the horse's headwear and smartphone application which can connect via Bluetooth.

Early in the process, Tomasz Goldman, previously Senior Director of GN Netcom, became involved in the project as development manager. "The most difficult thing was to solve the challenges of reading the horse's heart rate with a sufficiently high quality," says Tomasz, and continues: "It is easier on a human where the heart rate monitor is close to a blood vessel. On a horse, the coat which creates distance from the monitor to the blood vessels must be taken into account. We have solved this challenge and at the same time created a product that is very easy to use and disturbs the horse as little as possible”.

Andreas Helgstrand from Global Equestrian Group (GEG) sees great potential in the new product and says: “Many horse owners invest a lot of money when acquiring and caring for their horses, but very few owners know anything about how the horse actually feels physically. In the daily training when you ride the horse, and especially when you participate in competitions, many will do too much warm-up which drains the horse of energy before it enters the arena. Ruxbury can provide the horse owner with a lot of information about the horse's well-being, which we think is very valuable for any horse owner or rider”.

GEG has acquired a 45% ownership in the company Ruxbury and has appointed GEG Commercial Director Anders Bjørnstrup as chairman of the company's board of directors to help making the new product ready for market launch. "We see great potential in Ruxbury", says Anders Bjørnstrup, and continues: "No matter what type of horse or what level you ride at, I think everyone wants more knowledge about how their horse actually feels, as well as how to limit injuries and train the horse most optimally. This, together with the fact that Ruxbury will be simple to use and very affordable to purchase, makes us believe that the product has great potential internationally”. The product is expected to be launched during the autumn of 2021.

About Global Equestrian Group: The group is headquartered in Vodskov, Denmark and includes the following brands: Helgstrand Dressage, Ludger Beerbaum Stables, Riesenbeck International, Kingsland Equestrian, Helgstrand Jewellery, X-Drive Robots - Riding Arena Robots, ZibraSportEquest and now also Ruxbury. The group is owned by Waterland Private Equity, Andreas & Marianne Helgstrand, Ludger Beerbaum and a small number of key employees. The group employs a total of almost 200 employees and works on the vision of becoming the world's leading company within the Equestrian industry.

For further information, please contact:

Anders Bjørnstrup Bech, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +45 30214461

The last 10 years, Helgstrand Dressage has had a goal to promote and improve the breeding within Danish Warmblood through purchasing of horses, sales of DW horses, export of DW horses and thereby broaden the awareness about DW over the whole globe.

We therefore wonder about the accusations about wanting to set the agenda within DW. Jan Pedersen directly accuses us of wanting to boycott and wanting to be in charge of the 10-day test, through threats.

With this statement from chairman Jan Pedersen, we would like to provide everyone with our perception as well, as we cannot accept the wording. We are not happy with the fact that we, and especially Esben Möller, are put in bad standing with our breeders, and are recognized as people who force a decision and an opinion.

As of the first day, when it was announced that the licensing process of 2021 would be different than other years, we have been in dialogue with DW. We have talked to all parties about the consequences of postponements and changes in the whole process. Everyone knows that Helgstrand Dressage is a business of international character and we have a close collaboration with international stallion stations, including Paul Schockemöhle, and therefore our basis of decision related to which horses, that will stay at the stallion station here or abroad, is depending on the demand from various breeding federations.

Already as COVID-19 led to a delay of the 10-day test, we shared our opinion about the potential process of the 10-day test. As then also EHV-1 started rummaging and both DRF and FEI stated that it was not reasonable to put horses together from different stables, it was an obvious case for us to have an open dialogue with our foreign partners and DW about this fact.

Andreas Helgstrand has in the week towards the inspection, several times been in dialogue with Jan Pedersen, where he stated that we considered to stay home from the 10-day test, since both Paul Schockemöhle, Ludger Beerbaum and all German federations made it clear, that they did not want to expose the horses to such a risk, and he thereby expressed his deep concerns about completing the 10-day test.

18th of March, Jan Pedersen is by Esben Møller informed that FN Zucht (the federation that controls all German breeding federations), will host a meeting about the potential cancellations of the German demand for the 14-day test within this year – this as a request by several German breeding federations- related to the EHV-1. With this knowledge, Jan Pedersen told Esben Møller that DW is a small player in this game, however it is possible that they should follow this decision as well, since an opinion from DW cannot be drawn out internationally. However, Jan Pedersen said that he would approach Dr. Klaus Miesner from FN Zucht and get back to Esben Møller with a reply. This never happened. We therefore distance ourselves from the statement from Jan Pedersen, that Esben Møller reportedly should have threatened with a boycott.

In the weekend before the test, Andreas Helgstrand informs Jan Pedersen, that Helgstrand would not participate in the 10-day test. They discussed the consequences related to the 3-year-old stallions. Jan Pedersen expressed that it could be a possible solution, to register the foals, if the stallions take part in a 35-day test later this year, with a minimum score of 800 points. If DW would offer the dispensation. This declaration from Jan Pedersen was obviously no guarantee. Since Helgstrand Dressage is a business, we would like to inform our customers about the possibilities we can offer, if they want to use one of the 3-year-old stallions.

Another opportunity, that also occurred last year, is that the breeders have their mares/offspring licensed in a German federation and that way can use a stallion from Germany, if it is approved in the specific breeding federation.

Andreas Helgstrand has informed and harmonized with Jan Pedersen, what we will inform our breeders.

It can be no surprise for DW, however choosing to accuse Helgstrand indirectly, that they want to draw members from DW, is outrageous.

Helgstrand Dressage has completely by ourselves, decided to not participate in the 10-days test of 2021. The decision was made based on a health and business-related matter. It is perhaps worth noticing, that we have approximately 600 horses stabled at Helgstrand Dressage, and the consequences of getting a potential EHV-1 in, would be such a disaster, hence our decision was made. Our various stakeholders trust us in taking the right decisions.

Considering the fact, that in the very same week as the 10-days test, an outbreak of the EHV-1 was found not far away from Tørring and that DRF closed all show activities, we are very certain that we made the right decision.

With this said, we do not allude to the fact that others, who took part of the 10-day test, acted irresponsibly. It is more a question about, whether they had the alternatives, as we had.

As a final note related to possibly participating in the 10-day test, that started 13th of April, we would like to inform the breeders, that a consequence was, that the stallions in Germany would be out of the covering program for 6 weeks, as a new EU regulation per 21st of April imposes strict regulations related to transport of horses across EU borders. DW should be well informed in this regard. Therefore, we see no opportunity and no benefit for the breeders nor Helgstrand.

We therefore hope that we have demonstrated our acumen in our decision-making processes related to not participating in the DW 10-days test. We have no intentions to harm DW, quite the contrary, we would like to develop the activities together with breeders and DW.

We have no intentions deciding anything else but the things that are related to our own business.

After an unfortunate procedural mistake at the latest blood sampling of the stallions, the stallion station in Denmark was forced to temporarily close until new samples were made. We have now carried out new samples, received the results with correct answers leading to a full reopening of the Danish stallion station.

As of tomorrow, Saturday 10th of April, all ordering and transport of semen for our Danish customers will proceed as usually and all export of semen for customers abroad will continue on Monday 12th of April.

We apologize to all breeders for the inconvenience, this procedural mistake has caused, however we are now pleased to announce that the mistake has been remedied and we can now return with a full and safe reopening of the Danish stallion station.

In case of any questions, please direct them to Lene Birkemose:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+45 22 57 44 11

PRESS RELEASE

At EU stallion stations, blood samples are taken on a regular basis to ensure the necessary control of the stallions who are part of a breeding program. Unfortunately, it has become evident that two samples were mistakenly swapped at the most recent blood sampling in Denmark and the result is now incorrect on two of the stallions. It is important to note that the closure has nothing to do with the Herpes virus, but that it is only a procedural error related to one of the mandatory blood samples taken at our stallion station in Denmark.

- This is a procedural error from us, and it is very unfortunate, as it now influences our breeders, says Andreas Helgstrand.

The procedural error means that the stallions stabled in Denmark will not be available for breeding until new blood samples have been taken. Due to these circumstances, it is up to the authorities to carry out the new blood samples and the response time has therefore been extended. We will not receive the results of the new blood samples beofre Friday April 9th, thus the stallions in Denmark will not be available from Wednesday March 31st until Friday April 9th.

It is also important to note that this does not have any consequences for the stallions that are stabled in Germany, neither at Helgstrand Germany nor at Deckstation Paul Schockemöhle. Thereby, semen will still be transported from Germany to our Danish breeders.

- This is a human error, and it is very unfortunate. We obviously have to follow the authorities' recommendations, and hope for understanding from our breeders, Andreas concludes.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Lene Birkemose

+45 22 57 44 11

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Online Open House 2021

We really wished that we were able to welcome you all to a physical open house, however once again, corona is in the way for our plans. Instead, we have planned an enormous ONLINE open house, since we had plenty of exciting things on the programme as well as some great prizes!

Since we recently had our online stallion presentation, we wish to demonstrate the stallions in quite another angle: By showing you some of our upcoming offspring from some of our great stallions. Moreover, you will get on a tour around our different venues, both in Germany and USA. And finally you will also take part in an exciting talk at Helgstrand Youngsters, where Stable Manager Peter Kofoed and Head of Purchasing Esben Møller takes you into the universe of the young horses - they will enlighten you about the process our foals go through, how we ensure a solid and healthy development as well as some selection criteria along the way.

So mark your calendars on Saturday 17th of April 14.00-16.30 - we can't wait!

Picture: Fortunate by Foundation/Quaterback

Danish Warmblood has just announced the results of this year’s stallion licensing, which were held at home as a result of COVID-19. This year Helgstrand could add yet another 12 licensed 3-year-old stallions to the collection, including no less than 4 premium stallions, as well as a champion stallion in Danish Warmblood – that is namely the 4-year-old stallion Iron by Asgard’s Ibiza/Hohenstein. Normally the 3-year-old stallions go to the inspection for the 14-days test at Tørring Ridecenter, however due to the terrible EHV-1 virus, Helgstrand decides to keep the horses at home.

“It hasn’t been an easy decision as we have a new generation of breeding stallions to whom we have a lot of high expectations. We know that the breeders have been looking forward to the announcement of which stallions the Danish Wamblood breeding commission would approve for testing. However, the outbreak of the Herpes virus has already hit Europe and incidents are also found in Denmark, so we do not dare to take the risk to move the horses to Tørring, Andreas tells – he is very worried about the situation.

The EHV-1 virus is airborne and very contagious. We have seen how the virus hit at the showgrounds in Spain where several horses lost their lives. FEI has afterwards cancelled several shows until the 11th of April and that tells a bit about how serious this situation is.

“Even though the situation is under control in Denmark at the moment, we also need to think about our stakeholders. They have trust in us taking the right decisions at all and that we do everything to ensure the well-being and safety of the horse. We cannot take the risk to put the horses in stables where horses from various different locations will be stabled. So, we hope to find a solution together with Danish Warmblood to have our horses tested and receive their 1-year breeding approval another way, Andreas ends.

In total 52 3-year-old stallions were selected for the stallion licensing, and 20 got their approval for the inspection. 12 of these 20 stallions come from Helgstrand. At the end of the Danish Warmblood stallion licensing 6 premium stallions were appointed of which 4 were Helgstrand stallions.

Moreover the 4-year-old stallions received their final breeding approvals and this year’s champion stallion was appointed.

Find the videos of all 3-year-old stallions right here: 

http://www.dwbstallions2021.dk

Find the whole stallion collection of Helgstrand on the homepage:

hhttps://helgstranddressage.com/en/stallions