As Andreas Helgstrand has been suspended from the national squad by the Danish Equestrian Federation for 2024, the horse dealer has opened the door to new riders for Jovian and Queenparks Wendy in the Olympic year.

Photo – Andreas Helgstrand and Jovian at the 2023 European Dressage Championships (© Astrid Appels)

Excluded from Danish Team

Helgstrand has been facing turbulent months since September 2023.

Only two weeks after winning team bronze at the 2023 European Championships in September, Helgstrand lost the bronze medal he won at the 2023 Danish Dressage Championship (and team selection trial) following a decision of the Danish Equestrian Federation’s appeal committee. Andreas’ horse Jovian was treated without previous approval of a DRF Veterinary Consultant for mild colic signs. The rider got disqualified from the Danish Championship Freestyle class held on Sunday 4 June 2023, and had to return received prizes, as well as pay a fine of DKK 5,000.

In November the undercover documentary “Operation X: Secrets of the Horse Billionaire” was broadcast on Danish TV2, showing footage of alleged systemic horse abuse at Helgstrand’s yard in order to sell horses at a fast pace. Only after that broadcast the wheels of the board of directors at Danish equestrian federation went into overdrive and they decided to exclude Andreas from representing Denmark in 2024 at competitions. He also got expelled by Danish Riding Instructor Association (DR-IF).

To read the full article – visit Eurodressage.com