This week, the Nordic Championships for ponies, juniors and young riders take place. All the riders on Norway's national junior team were outstanding in the team competition, which resulted in gold. We are very proud of the result since all four horses on the team were acquired through Helgstrand Dressage. The team consisted of Line Østli and Roomy, Carina Brynildsen and Shiraz Black, Amalie Haug Magnussen and Ravell's Herkules, Alexandra Andresen and Belamour. We would like to congratulate all riders and their families on the impressive performances and their gold medals.

The huge and prestigious show in Aachen has now started. Both horses from Helgstrand Dressage are doing fine at the big competition site. Polka has already been started this afternoon in Prix St. George, they achieved a great score of 72.342% which resulted in 4th place. Akeem went through the Vet-check without any problems today, and tomorrow at 11.48 Andreas and Akeem will start the Grand Prix, which is also a team competition. We will keep our fingers crossed for the team, and for Andreas and Akeem. Below you will find some pictures from the festive opening ceremony yesterday, which was very entertaining and with a Danish touch. In addition, there was a royal visit in the stable, which Akeem seemed to enjoy. 

We have just made a new video of our young stallion Franklin. We hold high expectations to Franklin, and so far he develops at an incredible pace and the daily training is, therefore, a real pleasure. We are very excited about his progress and cannot wait to see what the future brings.

In the spring of 2013, Franklin became Champion Stallion in the Dutch breeding association KWPN and later on, he was also approved in Danish Warmblood. 

Thursday night, Thomas and Nintendo placed 4th in Grand Prix Special with the impressive score 71.3%. A superb show in Rotterdam has now come to an end. Tomorrow morning, Andreas is off to Aachen with Akeem and Polka Hit Nexen. Akeem will start the 5-star tour as part of the team competition, where they are competing together with the Danish National team. Polka Hit will start the small tour.

Thomas and Nintendo started the 3-star Grand Prix in Rotterdam today. They did really well and finished 5th with a score of 70.72%. Tomorrow night, it is time for Grand Prix Special.

In the class for 4-year-old horses in Aalborg, team Helgstrand once again totally ruled the class. Sezuan beamed yet again and showed his spectacular gaits. As a result, Sezuan and Andreas won the class with impressive 9.70 points, with the following separate scores: trot 9.5, walk 9.5, canter 10, rideability 9.5 and capacity 10. Emma and Zgander placed 2nd, scoring 9.16 points, e.g. 9.5 for trot and canter. Thomas and Fürstenstein placed 3rd, also with a score of 9.16 points, e.g. 9.4 for canter and 9.6 for rideability. Anna and the stallion Eclectisch placed 4th, scoring 9.00 points. Emma and Peterborgs Qasanova placed 5th, scoring 8.82 points. Andrea and Fohlenprämie finished 7th with 8.50 points. Finally, Emma and Eastpoint finished 8 with 8.46 points.

Marianne and Sitana placed third in Prix St. George with a score of 68.15%. 

At today's qualifications for championships in Aalborg, Helgstrand Dressage could once again be found at the top on the scoreboard. In the class for 5-year-old horses, Floricello and Andreas showed all the competitors their capabilities, scoring impressive 9.54 points, with the following separate scores: trot 9.8, walk 8.8, canter 9.6, rideability 9.8 and capacity 9.7. The equipage has already won one WCYH observation class in Sweden, and the result today promises well for their potential participation at the WCYH in Verden for Sweden. 

In the class for 6-year-old horses, Pas Partout and Andreas were undisputed winners with 9.24 points. They received the following separate scores: trot 9.8, walk 9.0, canter 9.0, rideability 9.0 and capacity 9.4. In addition, Sir Caramello and Andreas placed 5th in this class, scoring 8.38 points.

Floricello

This weekend several of our young horses will be competing in the championship classes in Aalborg. Friday night, Marianne and Daylie started the weekend with a clear victory in MB0, scoring 73.33%. 

Andreas and Polka Hit outstanding in Bundgaard Byg Cup

In the Intermediare I Kür on Sunday, Andreas and Polka Hit once again successfully beat all the other contestants. An extremely nice ride with a high degree of complexity was awarded with a fantastic result of 77.33%, and they won the class with superiority. Anna and De Noir made a great performance in the Kür and received 73.83%, and as a result they finished third in the total results. Marianne and Sitana placed 8th and Andrea and Butler placed 10th.

Well-deserved silver medal to Daniel and Donna Silver 

Daniel and Donna Silver have shown nice and stable rides both Friday and Saturday, receiving more than 72% both days, the Grand Prix Kür on Sunday was no exception. Another great ride earned them 73.37% and thus, the silver medal was a reality; a very impressive performance for the equipage. Today, the silver medal was celebrated according to traditions at Helgstrand Dressage with a nice "flight" into the big lake.

Andreas and Thomas in top 5

After the first two days of Senior DM, Andreas and Akeem were 4th, Thomas and Nintendo were 5th in the total score. Fortunately, they both managed to hold on to these placings after a fantastic final in the Kür. Actually, Andreas and Akeem were only an inch from winning the bronze medal. After an outstanding Kür programme, resulting in a score of 78.77%, they were seriously fighting for a medal, however, in the end, they were short of 0.104%. Thomas and Nintendo received a lot of positive attention this weekend, with very nice rides the first two days and great scores exceeding 73%. The Kür on Sunday followed the superb trend, with a score of 75% and consequently, they managed to finish 5th in this year's Danish Championship.

A fantastic and successful weekend, where riders from Helgstrand Dressage once again dominated most of the classes.

Another victory to Andreas and Polka Hit Nexen today in Bundgaard Byg Cup Intermediare I with an impressive score of 74.12%. They are now in the lead before the Intermediare I Kür tomorrow. Anna and De Noir placed 4th with 70.39%.