Andreas Helgstrand and the horse Matiné made 50,000 audiences stand up in applause at the World Championships in 2006. The Danish dressage rider has won both an Olympic bronze medal, silver and bronze medals at the World Championships and five World Cup victories.
The large victories
Andreas Helgstrand has, despite his young age, achieved victories and ridden horses that many dressage riders can only dream of. He was part of the Danish dressage team, which took an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, and five times he has triumphed in the World Cup Series. Sensationally Andreas Helgstrand won both the gold and silver at the World Championships for young horses in 2009 and four years in a row, he has been Danish Champion. One victory, however, stands above them all - the silver medal with the horse Matiné at the World Championships in Aachen in 2006.
"We were lit as before a boxing match, but I was not nervous. We had reached our goal of a medal when we took the bronze the day before, so the pressure was gone. But as we rode the programme and 50,000 audiences stood up in applause, then I knew that this was unique. It was a once in a life time experience", says Andreas Helgstrand.
Fact:
Born: October 2nd, 1977
Nationality: DEN
Best international results:
- Olympic bronze in team dressage, Hong Kong (2008)
- Silver and bronze in the World Championships, Aachen (2006)
- 5 World Cup victories
- Gold and silver in the World Championships for young horses, Verden (2009)