In connection with the European Championship in Herning, the organisers of the event has started the project "EC against mines" in co-operation with the Danish Refugee Council and Lauritz.com. South Sudan has been severely affected by civil wars for several years, but after the country gained independence in 2011, clearance of mines has been given high priority, and demining is considered an important step towards rebuilding the country. However, only a minor part of the country has been demined at the moment, and it may have fatal consequences for a family if a family member is mutilated or their only livestock is killed. The funds raised from this co-operation will be directed at mine risk education, clearance of unexploded ordnance and mines, ensuring that the land can be farmed again and enabling people and animals to move around securely. 

Helgstrand Dressage has donated Andreas' first dressage tail-coat and hat. The auction runs all week during the EC and ends on Monday, August 26 at 2.45 p.m. We hope for some good bids in support of the demining work in South Sudan.

Link to the auction can be found here

This weekend, Brønderslev Rideklub held a regional show. Daniel and De Chirico participated in Intermediare I and Prix St. George, and they finished first in both classes with 71.57% and 71.71%, respectively. Jens and Uno started Prix St. George, and finished third, scoring 68.42%. Marianne and Daylie started the MB0 and MB3. The first day, they started MB0, they placed third with a score of 67.05% and Sunday in MB3, they scored 68.87% and placed second.

Yet another Sezuan foal excelled among the stallion foals, this time at Danish Warmblood's foal show on Saturday in Vallensbæk. The beautiful foal, Salustri, was of course also selected for the Elite show at Vilhelmsborg. 

Saturday, another saddle grading took place at Vilhelmsborg. Emma showed three mares in front of the judges. The mares Finess and Landini both became Champion mares in two different groups. In addition, Finess finished as "Best Mare of the Day" among the 90 mares presented today. Both champion mares were selected for the Elite show at Vilhelmsborg, taking place in September. The third mare presented by Emma was the mare Flossie; Finess, Landini and Flossie were all approved in RDH.

Congratulations to breeders and owners, we are looking forward to showing the mares from Hjallerup and Vilhelmsborg at the Elite show.

Yesterday, Andreas and Thomas drove down to Haderslev with Akeem and Nintendo. From Wednesday until Sunday, they will participate in the training camp with the national coach before the European Championship in Herning. They will arrive in Herning on Sunday so that the horses can settle in before the competition. Tuesday, the vet check takes place and Wednesday, the team competition begins.  

Daniel is participating in PAVO cup in Holland at the moment with the 5-year-old Dutch stallion Didando. Andreas has just acquired half of the stallion. Didando is sired by Tuschinski with Jetset D as dam sire. He was reserve for Holland at the WCYH in Verden for 5-year-old horses. Didando is a very exciting horse, and we are looking forward to continuing his training, as we have high expectations to this stallion.

At today's final for 5-year-old horses in Verden, Andreas and Floricello finished with a well-deserved silver medal. They were the fifth rider in the class and they made an impressive performance, which was awarded with 8.72 points. The obtained e.g. 9.8 for trot and 9.0 for overall impression. The great score qualified for a gold medal until the last rider, however, in the end the 5-year-old stallion received a silver medal. 

It is the second year in a row that one of the stallions from our stallion station obtains a medal at the WCYH in Verden. 

This year's World Championship for Young Horses has now started. Yesterday was the first competition day with the preliminary class for 5-year-old horses. Andreas and Floricello started this class. Unfortunately, Floricello was a little spooked by the surroundings during the test and consequently, the score did not result in direct access to the finals. Friday morning, it was time for the class for 6-year-old horses. Andreas and Pas Partout participated in this class. Unfortunately, they only made it to the consolation finals, where they will fight for a spot in the finals.

Floricello superb winner of consolation finals

Friday evening, Andreas and Floricello started the consolation finals for 5-year-old horses. Clearly, Floricello felt more at ease in the nice surroundings tonight, and the equipage made an excellent performance. They received 8.80 points, e.g. 9.7 for trot, 8.8 for canter and 8.9 for overall impression.

Andreas and Floricello will start the finals for 5-year-old horses tomorrow, Saturday, at 3.44 p.m.

Sunday was also devoted to saddle grading in Hjallerup. On the team for 3-year-old mares, Helgstrand Dressage could be found at the top. Åtoftens Zalina became champion mare and Atterupgaards Lady Ga Ga finished third. Emma made a great presentation of both mares.

On the team for 4-year-olds, Helgstrand Dressage also finished first, this time it was Z La'vie under Emma. Fürstin Dancer under Daniel came second.

Both champion mares have been selected for Danish Warmblood's Elite show, where they will be fighting for medals.

Congratulations to both breeders and owners.

Last Sunday, Danish Warmblood Region 3 held their foal show. Two Sezuan offspring outshined the competitors. The mare foal Noomi Melody was nominated the best mare foal of the day; it obtained e.g. three 10's. The stallion foal Silverstone Melody finished first among the stallions, and was nominated the best stallion foal of the day. In addition, both foals were selected for the Danish Warmblood Elite show in September.