Helgstrand Dressage has officially opened a new branch in China, marking a significant step into one of the world’s fastest-growing equestrian markets.
Over the past 18 months, Helgstrand Dressage has explored opportunities to expand its operations to China – a country with enormous and continuously growing potential in equestrian sports. While show jumping is already at a high international level, dressage is still developing, creating an ideal foundation for Helgstrand Dressage’s market entry.
As one of the world’s leading dressage stables, Helgstrand Dressage sees great potential in actively contributing to the development of dressage in China. The company has chosen an unconventional approach by leasing a large, modern equestrian facility on the outskirts of Beijing. Here, Helgstrand Dressage has its own stables with dedicated staff, where nine horses imported from Europe are trained and further educated. All horses are at least at Small Tour level.
Helgstrand Dressage has deliberately chosen to send high-quality horses to China without prior sale in order to address the challenges Chinese customers often face when importing horses from Europe. A traditional import process can take up to six months and involves extensive quarantine followed by retraining. By managing this process itself, Helgstrand Dressage ensures that the horses are already in China, properly acclimated, and back in full training after the journey and the demanding quarantine period. This is crucial for the company, as the horses need to be in their optimal condition before being presented to potential buyers.
The head trainer and rider for Helgstrand Dressage China is Grand Prix rider Eyal Zlatin. Additionally, one of Helgstrand Dressage’s Head Grooms, Mikala Krog, has helped establish the stables and train local staff in working with the horses.
For Helgstrand Dressage, it has been essential that entry into a new market is accompanied by a thoroughly planned aftersales service at a level the company can fully stand behind. This is particularly important in a market like China, where long-standing traditions in dressage are not yet established. Helgstrand Dressage therefore aims not only to sell horses in China but also to pursue a long-term strategy, actively contributing knowledge, training, and education for both riders and horses. The goal is to be a stable and competent partner supporting sustainable development of dressage in China.
The China branch will offer lessons as well as training and education for both horses and riders. Helgstrand Dressage expects to expand its activities further in the near future with additional horses – both in dressage and show jumping – and looks forward to playing an active role in the development of equestrian sports in China, with a particular focus on dressage.
