Andreas Helgstrand Barred by Danish Equestrian Federation from Denmark’s National Team, Team Activities
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Nov. 23, 20213
Andreas Helgstrand has been barred by the Danish Equestrian Federation from Denmark’s national team and team activities “for the time being” based on television reports of training and sales operations.
The decision came immediately after the televising by TV2 in Denmark of Operation X’s recent two broadcasts:”‘The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire,” that was based on secret videoing of training methods and treatment of horses at Helgstrand Dressage headquarters in Denmark.
There was no reaction from Helgstrand Dressage or the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) that governs international horse sports including the World Young Horse Championships and other events that in recent years have been sponsored primarily by Helgstrand.
There was no indication how the ban would impact Helgstrand sales operations in Denmark and other countries, including the United States which operates a training and sales operation based in Wellington, Florida.
“The board of DRF strongly distances itself from the unacceptable methods of riding, training, and treating horses the broadcasts clearly show,” said the Danish federation statement.
“Therefore, it is now clear, that Andreas Helgstrand, based on the broadcasts, can no longer represent the Danish equestrian federation as a national team rider. As a national team rider, you are, among other things, obliged, according to the sports plan, to comply with our Code of Conduct, guidelines for ethically correct use of horses for equestrian sports as well as act as good role models.”
The federation issued a “strong appeal” to riders in the videos whose faces were blurred to mask identities to appear before the disciplinary committee.
“DRF will initiate measures with the purpose of identifying the riders and reporting them to the disciplinary committee, should this request not be met,” it said.
The federation said it will not collaborate with the Helgstrand Event of higher levels including national and international championships set for late June next year. the Danish championships for senior, under 25- and para dressage riders in May as well as the Nordic Baltic Championships in dressage, show jumping, para dressage and vaulting in June.
The federation said it would ask the FEI to “reassess” approval of a show jumping Nations Cup event scheduled for May.
