The ending of this year is approaching and even though we would prefer not to mention COVID19, then we can’t deny that this pandemic has had an influence on this year’s events and the cancellation of several of them. We really looked forward to the yearly Open House-event where we normally show our collection of stallions and open our doors for everyone that wishes to see the company from the inside.
Before the world closed down in March we luckily participated at the stallion shows in Germany and the biggest event of the year The Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning. This was the beginning of a fantastic breeding season with results that have never been greater.
Fortunate by Foundation/Quaterback.
Amazing breeding season ahead
2020 was also the year where Helgstrand had to say goodbye to several of the top breeding stallions among them D’avie by Don Juan de Hus/Londonderry, who was sold to Lisa Müller through Isabell Werth. Isabell Werth also secured herself a future top horse, the Sezuan offspring Joshua. Janiero Platinum left the stable and we look very much forward to follow this exceptional stallion at his new owner, Christinelund Dressage in Sweden.
Also, our darling Quarterhit moved to France to Dominique Degueldre and is now trained by Stephanie Brieussel. Luckily several new young top stallions were added to the collection at the stallion licensing shows, such as the Champion Stallion from Westfalen, Forever Love by Fair Game/Destano or the Champion Stallion from Oldenburg, Fortunate by Foundation/Quaterback. The breeders can therefore look forward to the new breeding season 2021, to a collection of stallions that has never looked more fantastic.
Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen and Foco Loco-w winning
the U25 Danish Dressage Championship.
Achieving amazing results despite the situation
Even though many of the competitions were cancelled this year, we managed to qualify 24 horses for the finals at the Danish National Championships for Young Dressage Horses and 15 horses were qualified for the prestigious World Championship for Young Horses.
The riders at Helgstrand have done an amazing job and among the impressive results, we can mention Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen’s Gold Medal at the European Championship for U25 riders and also winning the Danish Championship for U25 riders together with Foco Loco-w.
In addition, Alexander Helgstrand won the Team-Silver Medal at the European Championship with Grevens Sa’Va’.
Andreas also had some impressive results with the three-time World Champion Fiontini, which he won the Bronze Medal at the Danish Championship with - a horse that Andreas hope to qualify to the Olympics.
Nothing is that bad, that something good can’t come out of it – our riders use this competition break to train the horses and they all show top form and great development. This is shown at the sales list at Helgstrand, where new horses are added every week – so if you are looking for your future star or a skilled and experienced Grand Prix horse, then now is the time to get in contact with us.
Helgstrand's new facility in Syke, Germany - Helgstrand Germany.
New location in Germany
2020 was the year where Helgstrand invested in new facilities in Germany, Helgstrand Germany, which is located between the three largest German Breeding Associations near Syke, a little south of Bremen. Eva and Ulf Möller moved here at the end of November and have settled very well in the new surroundings and an intriguing selection of horses from Helgstrand have already moved in.
Now that we have come to the news from abroad, we can add that the renovation of Helgstrand Dressage USA is soon finished. The horses have already moved in and the competition season has started. In addition to the abroad news, we can add a new partnership; the four-times Olympics participant and British Equestrian legend Richard Davidson who shall be in charge of the British side of Helgstrand.
Many new projects to come
Finally, 2020 was also the year where Helgstrand invested in new and exciting projects. With the ambition to be the leading equestrian company, Helgstrand brought the majority of shares in the equestrian brand Kingsland Equestrian and in addition established cooperation with X-Drive Robots about Riding Arena Robots, which is robots for preparation and maintenance of indoor arenas.
Even though COVID19 affected and challenged us, we are pleased to still have some very good results to look back on throughout the year. Now we look forward and hope for a better 2021. New and exciting projects are on their way and we can’t wait to reveal them to you in the new year.
Finally, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and New Year. May the holidays and the New Year bring joy to you and your family.
Take care during this situation.
Greetings,
Marianne og Andreas Helgstrand.