The Danish Dressage Rider Faces Ban Amidst Allegations of Horse Abuse: Accused of Rollkur Controversy and Excessive Whip Use
Andreas Helgstrand is a Danish elite-level Dressage rider who has been accused of animal abuse and unacceptable methods of riding and training methods. The undercover footage of Helgstrand’s training methods was released in 2023 by TV2 Denmark. This documentary went viral in the global equestrian group online, where the treatment of horses was heavily criticized after the documentary showed proof of spur marks, excessive use of whip and tight draw reins. The undercover reporter hired by TV2 was hired to work at the Helgstrand stables in early 2023, where her goal was to film any questionable business practices with a hidden camera.
Helgstrand has filed a lawsuit against TV2 to stop the TV station from showing the documentary on their channel. The high court verdict, however, allowed TV2 to continue airing the documentary, and Mr. Helgstrand was to pay the legal fees.
Andreas Helgstrand Operation x (where to watch)
Operation X Secrets of the Horse Billionaire is available on the Danish TV platform TV2 Play. Please note you will need a paid subscription to watch the documentary here.
Andrews Helgstrand Elimination
Mr Helgstrand has been banned from the Danish national team following the documentary’s release. A year before the release of the documentary, he was also eliminated from the FEI World Cup Grand Prix in Amsterdam when his horse had blood in its mouth during the dressage test; a video clip of the incident can be seen below:
Helgstrand and The Equestrian Community
Since the allegations of horse abuse, the online dressage world (Facebook groups, Reddit forums, Instagram comments) has reacted very strongly to why this kind of training has been allowed for so many years:
“They won’t say anything, he sponsors too many of the big classes in Europe. That’s why he can basically do rollkur in front of judges and stewards and face no kickback.” Reddit
The angry social media comments are endless, with most people expressing anger towards Mr Helgstrand and his team. The complaints are mainly about the mental condition of the horses following extreme training methods, where whip marks and spur marks are standard at the stables.
Helgstrand loses his Two Elite Dressage Horses To Professional Riders
Helgstrand loses his two best horses in his stables, which are both showing on Grand Prix level with the potential to go to the Olympics this year (the Approved stallion Jovian, e. Apache – Tango and the mare Queenparks Wendy, e. Sezuan – Soprano). Jovian will be ridden by the Swedish dressage rider Patrik Kittel, while the Mare Queenparks Wendy goes to German Dressage rider Isabell Werth (hippson).
Does Helgstrand Deserve His Career Potentially Ending Following This Documentary?
Even though most people react with anger and hate towards the Helgstrand imperium, some defend him and say that the documentary was made using hidden recordings. The influencer, Matt Harnacke, recently posted a video discussing the Helgstrand issues without being judgemental. Harnacke is known for having the highest standards of equine welfare. Hence, many respect his opinions and views on the whole story:
