Tag Archives: Alexander Yde Helgstrand

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Barbançon and Helgstrand Are Untouchable in Week 5 of AGDF

Morgan Barbançon & Habana Libre A. Photo ©SusanJStickle.com.

France’s Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A claimed the winner’s blanket in the day’s headline class, the CDI3* Grand Prix Special, sponsored by MTICA Farm. Barbançon’s 71.66% on her own 11-year-old gelding — by Zizi Top out of a United dam — is their second highest score ever in this test.

Of the 15 starters, the trio of riders on the podium remained unchanged from Friday’s qualifying Grand Prix, but the 22-year-old German sensation Felicitas Hendricks climbed a place to net second. She rode her own 12-year-old gelding Drombusch 2 (Destano x Dimaggio) to 70.362% in the pair’s debut senior international show at the level. Her compatriot Anna-Christina Abbelen, 26, piloted her 16-year-old Samarant gelding Sam Donnerhall to 69.723% and third place.

“I’m extremely happy and it was great to win,” enthused the 30-year-old Barbançon, who is spending her first season in Wellington. “Habana was a wee bit tired today but still tried. The whole passage/trot part was nice, and I was really happy with the walk. The piaffes were a little bit less [powerful] than two weeks ago, but it was cooler then and really warm today.

“I don’t normally get affected by the heat, but yesterday I already had to use a new frack [tailcoat] because it was drenched. This is the second one going to the dry cleaners. But I prefer that to the frostbite I get at home.”

Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Belantis Top Intermediate I CDI1*

Andreas Helgstrand’s 19-year-old son Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Belantis — formerly ridden by Isabell Werth — made it two wins from two starts in AGDF 5, topping Saturday’s hotly contested Intermediate I CDI1*, presented by Centerline Stables. They also won Thursday’s Prix St. Georges class. Helgstrand was also competing his mother’s horse Super Mario in the under-25s, and two wins in that division — at Intermediate II and Grand Prix — brought his tally of CDI blue ribbons for the week to four.

“Today the high points were the two-tempis and the extended trot and canter,” said Helgstrand, who is another rider spending his first season in Wellington. “Belantis is super talented and I really love working with him. He had some more power and energy today, but it was still controlled.”

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Frederic Wandres Does Wonders in Havensafe Farm FEI World Cup Grand Prix

Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Two classes brimming with talent highlighted opening day of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) Week 5. The Centerline Stables CDI1* Prix St. Georges and Havensafe Farm CDI-W World Cup Grand Prix set the tone in Wellington, FL. A man who is no stranger to victory, Frederic Wandres (GER) aboard Bluetooth OLD, a 2010 Oldenburg (Bordeaux x Riccione), truly stole the show with their impressive score of 74.913%. A very competitive runner-up score went to France’s Morgan Babançon aboard Bolero scoring a 71.782%, and third went to Ashley Holzer (USA) and Valentine who were not far behind finishing on a score of 71.174%.

While incredibly proud, an ever-humble Wandres admitted that he and Bluetooth OLD still having room for improvement before achieving even more success. “I thought today went much better than the last time CDI here. He was a little more fresh and forward, even though the weather is a little bit warmer than last time. There are still many things to develop, but overall, it was good. He showed consistency in a test like this, and I thought this world cup qualification here was probably the strongest so far, so I’m very happy.”

Alexander Yde Helgstrand & Belantis. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Alexander Yde Helgstrand Takes the Spotlight

All eyes were on Denmark’s Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Belantis during the opening class of AGDF 5 on Thursday morning as the dynamic pair won the Centerline Stables CDI1* Prix St. Georges.

An impressive lineup of twenty-six horses and riders came together for the CDI1*. Only three pairs scored in the 70s, including Amanda Perkowski (USA) and Sontana MF, who placed third with a 70.196%, and Charlotte Jorst (USA) scored a 70.392% aboard Zhaplin Langholt. However, the highest score of 72.206%, a personal best score, went to Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN) and Belantis, a 2009 DSP gelding (Benetton Dream Frh 1301 x Expo’se) owned by Helgstrand Dressage USA.

Helgstrand was beyond pleased with his horse’s performance. They have been a team for about two years and all of their hard work, combined with a strong partnership, seems to be paying off. “Today, some of the highlights came from my trot. I felt like I had a really good trot, which is something we have been working really hard on at home, so I was very pleased to see that come together.”

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Strzegom

Double Gold for Denmark at the FEI Pony European Championships

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Daisy Bathe with SF Detroit. Photo: Leszek Wójcik.

FEI rankings number one Alexander Yde Helgstrand won individual gold after a very good test with Adriano B at the European Championships for Ponies in Strzegom. Denmark stood on the highest step of the podium after both the team and individual classes.

The silver medal went to Alexander’s teammate Liva Addy Guldager Nielsen riding D’Artagnan 187, and Shona Benner from Germany with Der Kleine Sunnyboy WE took home the bronze.

“It’s amazing! I had to ride on the first day and we did a super test. We have been waiting the all day today, so it was really exciting until the last moment. And after last rider I was so happy, so it’s incredible. Adriano B is super sweet, he is a nice and relaxed pony, but when he is on a track at the show he is fighting for points. So, he is a really really good pony,” said the winner after the prizegiving. “I am finishing riding Adriano for now. I want to focus on my big horse now, who I won the Junior Nordic Championships with.”

The 16-year-old is also the one to watch in the individual Freestyle tests. The audience in Morawa will have a chance to see one Polish rider who qualified for the final rivalry – Tatiana Bierieznow with Gluckspilz. She stands at 21st position, with 54 pairs competing overall.

Eventing

Saturday’s cross-country trials hasn’t changed much in the team rankings after dressage. Great Britain is still in the lead, second position stays with France, and the Irish have jumped into the third place.

The riders were tested over the course of 2990 metres with 24 fences overall. Individually, the best score for now belongs to Great Britain’s Daisy Bathe with SF Detroit. Leader after dressage, German rider Sophia Rössel with Camillo We, lost her position to be placed 5th for now. The British rider went clear over the fences, only 5 seconds over the optimum time. Lisa Gualtieri (FRA) with O Ma Doue Kersidal had an identical score and sits on second after cross-country. Third for now is Camilla Luciani (ITA) with Camelot Damgaard.

The only Polish rider in the class, Julia Witkowska with Chester, has decided to retire from finishing the course.

Full results: https://zawodykonne.com/zawody/50/tour/84.

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