Friday was an exciting day as we went to Vilhelmsborg, Aarhus, Denmark for the selection of 5-, 6- and 7-year old dressage horses for the World breeding dressage Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo this summer. The final selection is going to take place at Broholm in July.

From Helgstrand Dressage the following five horses are invited to the final selection:

5-year-old horses:
Stenager Wyatt Earp after Wilkens/Sandro Hit - Kenneth Damgaard
Zancor after Blue Hors Zack/Caletto III - Betina Jæger
Højgårdens Santos after San Amour/Friendship - Kenneth Damgaard

6-year-old horses:
Straight Horse Don Tamino after Totilas/Don Schufro - Anne Marie Husbond

7-year-old horses:
Fiontini after Fassbinder/Blue Hors Romanov - Severo Jurado Lopez

Experience top quality dressage foals at the Nordic International Sales auction during Equitour Aalborg. So far around 20 premium dressage foals have been selected for the auction sponsored by Stud EVO.

“We are extremely proud of the foals that we are able to show at the auction, and at the same time impressed by the number of foals fulfilling the requirements for a future top sport horse in dressage,” says Andreas Helgstrand and continue, “It has been amazing how Danish and German breeders willingly have shown us their foals and giving us their trust in our capability to create an auction, where they can sell their foals at prices living up to their quality.”

Future stars of dressage

The auction is arranged by some of the most experienced horse auctioneers in Denmark and will show 20 foals covering a wide range of breeding federations. All foals have been through preliminary sightings at either Vilhelmsborg, Atterupgaard or Helgstrand Dressage during the month of May, hereafter the selection of the final 20 has been made in a cooperation between Danish Warmblood auction committee, Westfalen Verband in Germany and Andreas Helgstrand. The auction will be a unique opportunity to see some of the future stars of the world of dressage.

Read more about the auction here.

The 5-year old stallion D'avie, after Don Juan de Hus / Londonderry / Walt Disney I is back at Helgstrand Dressage after staying at Arlette Jasper-Kohl and Professor Edwin Kohl at Gestüt Peterhof in Germany.

- We are extremely happy to have this large-framed young stallion back at Helgstrand Dressage and we are looking forward to offering him for breeding. At Gestüt Peterhof they have done an amazing job with the stallion, and we have had a good cooperation, says Andreas Helgstrand.

D'avie was a Premium Stallion at the Hanoverian Licensing in 2014 and was sold at the following auction to the highest price. - The stallion was taken out of the breed as 4-year old, as the semen quality was not good enough. But fortunately, it has changed so we can now offer this amazing stallion, that with a modern type, great rhythmic gaits and fantastic nerve has a lot to offer, says Andreas.

- We have a rider that fits perfectly with this young stallion and the plan is that D'avie is going to attend the World Championship for Young Dressage Horses in Ermelo this summer. He is approved for HANN, OLD and DWB.

View a video of D'avie here 

Already at 10:00 am the first expectant spectators began to show up, to secure a place on the front row for this year's Open House and stallion show at Helgstrand. And luckily there was lined up with barbecue, so they could enjoy a sausage before the presentation started at 1:00 pm. For the children there was a bouncy castle and plenty of room to play while the adults looked for new blood lines for their mares.

While the last spectators found a place to the beautiful music from Mai Skytte, who appeared in a good cause, Andreas was getting ready to welcome the many guests. Initially Andreas told about the outstanding results that horses from Helgstrand had achieved over the past year. Quickly he changed to English, since many had made the long trip to Helgstrand both from Poland, Germany, England, Scotland, Sweden and Norway. Afterwards he handed the microphone to Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard and Ulf Möller, who commented the stallions during the show, since Andreas himself had to showcase more of this year's stallion collection. Flemming Schulz delivered the Danish speakers and created a great atmosphere throughout the show.

ClimpMyHorse was filming the entire day, so that the many people who were unable to take the trip to Helgstrand could enjoy the view from their living rooms. Helgstrand's stallion expert, Christian Springborg had his debut as a commentator on ClipMyHorse.

The range of quality stallions contained both the brand new, including the latest arrival, Milione by Millennium / Lord Loxley, but also "the older" stallions such as Grand Galaxy Win, Franklin, Falstaff and Freischütz. In between the stallions two clinics with Dr. Ulf Möller were on the program and he shared his long experience in training young horses.

Read about our Clinic with Ulf Möller and veterinarian, Jonas Rasmussen, which will take place on Helgstrand Academy on May 6, 2017 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Andreas finished the show by showcasing the popular stallion Revolution. The large framed stallion took standing applause like he has done it a million times before, just showing his magnificent temperament. And yet at the same time a stallion with nerve, but also a unique mind.

After the presentation owners had the opportunity to talk with Helgstrand's breeding experts; Lene Birkemose, Christian Springborg and Jesper Bisgaard Nielsen. It was overwhelming and many ordered semen that day and got 20% discount on second rate. A great success.

After the last person has left the arene, tables and benches were put up for the After Party with more than 350 guests.

The stallion had just arrived at Helgstrand Dressage few days before the annual Open House, and therefore it was a great experience for the only 3-year-old stallion, Milione, who entered the arena with great energy, while the audience watched with excitement.

The 3-year-old stallion is by Millennium and with damsire Lord Loxley. The recognized stallion Millennium is a very modern type with good rhythmical gaits and a good up-hill tendency – gaits, that Milione has inherited.

Millennium was second Reservesieger at the 2010 Trakehner Licensing in Neumünster and won the 2013 70-day test in Neustadt Dosse with a total score of 8,66. Millennium, along with Kay Pawlowska won silver at the German Trakehner championat in Hanover.

With that in mind, we are expecting the young stallion to have a very promising future.

At Helgstrand Academy we are now ready to present our next event:

For this year's stallion licensing at the Herning Horse Show, seven 3-year-old stallions from Helgstrand were approved for testing and went through to the Danish Warmblood´s 10-day observation test, which was done by Torben Frandsen in Tørring at Randers, Denmark.

Although the stallions had just finished their presentation in Herning, they all had lots of energy and were ready to prove their worth in Tørring, where their temperament and rideability were tested.

The stallions are ready for breeding this season, but must go through a 35-day test to obtain final approval for breeding in Danish Warmblood.

The seven stallions from Helgstrand Dressage, which were tested in Tørring were:

Florist Enshøj
Jack Sparrow
Jambeau
Qaiser
Quaterhit
Springbank II VH
Valverde

Valverde by Vitalis/Ampere - Championstallion in Westfalen 2016

At the first day at Herning Horse Show the young horses were the first to show in the arena, and although it was a bit overwhelming with the many impressions, all the horses were successful. Both Kenneth and Santos and Betina and Zancor achieved 159 points and got a 3. place, while Kenneth and Wyatt Earp got a 5. place with 156 points. 

Thursday the 3-years stallions were shown by hand for the licensing commission. Thursday also the Championship for young horses took place, and the test included program riding. Betina and Zancor did a great job and scored a total of 375, with 9.5 for canter and 9 for trot, rideability and capacity. Kenneth and Wyatt Earp was ranked no. 4 with 349 points. Thursday in the Prix St. George, Betina and Quarton achived no less than 71.8% and got an impressive 3rd place. On Thursday afternoon, the 4-years stallions were showcasing their gaits and every stallion was showing great surplus energy. Especially Revolution with Andreas in the saddle got the audience to gape.

Competition between Severo and Dorothee Schneider

Friday started out with a presentation class where the stallions showed exercises based on their individual level, while Bjarne Nielsen was commenting.

Many had got up early to see the stallion's development. After the presentation class, Grand Prix went on. Severo achived the 2nd and 3rd place with respectively 75% on Deep Impact and 72.96% on Dragao. Thomas and Don Tignanello also had a great program, which the judges rewarded with 70.58%. After the Grand Prix class, the 3-years stallion were showed free in the arena for the licensing commission.

Six 3-years stallions ready for test

On Saturday, the 3-years stallions were shown in lungeing reins for the licensing commission with following evaluation. We were obviously very excited about the results and are pleased to say that following six stallions proceed to test:

Jambeau
Florist
Quaterhit
Qaiser
Jack Sparrow
Valverde
Springbank II

After evaluation of the stallions the Intermediare I went on and Betina and Quarton went to start. The pair continued Friday's success and ended in the top after a great program, which the judges rewarded with impressive 74.42%. The "older" stallions were back in the arena in the presentation class where Bjarne Nielsen commented from the sidelines. The seats were filled around the arena and big applause followed when the handsome stallions showed their impressive gaits and amazing temperament. In Saturday's championship class with test rider Kenneth and Santos had a top presentation and got no less than 8.5 for rideability and 9 in capacity and thus a total score of no less than 350.

Revolution as stallion champion and Springbank II as premium stallion

Sunday started out with the championship class with test rider, where Kenneth and Wyatt Earp and Betina and Zancor went to start. For a long time, Kenneth and Wyatt Earp were in the lead, but ended up on a third place together with Betina and Zancor with a total score of 350 with 8.5 for rideability and 9 in capacity. All in all, Betina and Zancor won the championschips for young horses with a total score of 884 point. Kenneth and Wyatt Earp ended on a 4th place with 855 point and Kenneth and Santos had a 5th place with 848 point.

Later that day the 4-years stallions were presented under saddle and the approved 3-years stallions were shown by hand. Revolution was appointed champion stallion and Springbank II was appointed as a premium stallion.

Sunday ended with the Grand Prix Freestyle where Severo and Deep Impact won with amazingly 79.05%, beating Dorothee Schneider on Sammy Davis Jr. Betina and Very Keen ended up on a 5th place with 72.1%.

A fantastic Stallion Show is over, and we would like to thank all Helgstrand riders and grooms for the great work. Once again, we have proven that we are a great team.

Pictures from Friday's Grand Prix.

At the German licensing show in Munich two new exciting stallions were bought to Helgstrand Dressage, catalogue number 36 by Quatergold/Sandro Hit/Brentano II and catalogue number 40 by Sezuan/Hotline/Florestan.

The two 3-year stallions showed fantastic capacity and energy at the auction, where especially the desired stallion by Sezuan made a big impression. Grandmother of the stallion is full sister to Isabell Werth's previous successful dressage horse, Ferrara S, who was also Bundeschampion in 1966. A largely framed stallion, who measures 176.

In addition, the 3-year stallion by Quatergold, whose mother is full sister to the former UVM-Gold winner, Poetin. This stallion measures 169.

Regularly new exciting stallion are bought to the collection and with this purchase the season 2017 seems very bright for Helgstrand Dressage.

Quaterhit by Quatergold/Sandro Hit

Spotify by Sezuan/Hotline

Helgstrand Dressage keeps on growing and we are now happy to present you our new stable Helgstrand Academy.

Helgstrand Academy's facilities include stabling for about 100 horses, indoor and outdoor arenas and a veterinary clinic. This is soon to become a location for international competition events, hosting Equitour Aalborg this spring. Besides being a home for Helgstrand Dressage's horses and youngsters, the Academy includes boarding of privat horses in training, a riding school (Uggerhalne Sportsrideklub) and a riding physiotherapy center (Nordjysk Center for Ridefysioterapi & Handicapridning).

We are preparing a series of educational events at Helgstrand Academy starting in February with a Dressage Forum with the FEI5* judges Mariette Withages and Susanne Baarup and more is about to come.