Scandal at Helgstrand Dressage, again.

While everyone seemed to have a lot to say about the latest dressage scandal involving the documented abuse at Helgstrand dressage, I rather felt somewhat empty. 

So one of the “big fishes” has been caught doing what we all know is being done to horses, to many horses around the world, at this very moment. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud the journalists who had the guts to go through with this. But I also know that so many who are outraged now will still go and whip their horse when it doesn’t go forward. So many will applaud the winner of the race and buy the equestrian brands associated with abusive horse trainers. They will give their horse bute to manage one more competition. And retire a horse broken down through incorrect training, just to buy a young one and start the whole terrible process all over. 

Some years ago I felt a sense of enthusiasm, too, whenever someone was caught and called out for abusive training techniques. I had hope that finally, things would improve for the horses. And while I think a lot of things DID improve for many horses, I also feel disappointed. I just know that when the dust of this latest revelation will settle, nothing much will have changed. Someone will get a slap of the wrist, but the system itself will not change. 

In 2014, Andreas Helgstrand was accused of animal cruelty in Danish court. During an open house event, photos and video footage taken of him riding the horse Akeem Foldager showed Akeem having a blue tongue and dark spots in the fur and swelling where the spurs usually have contact to the horse (sounds familiar?). Helgstrand was acquitted of all charges. Some sponsors withdrew, Helgstrand withdrew from all competitions and also from Danish team selection for the 2014 World Equestrian Games. I wrote a blog article about it back then, being all enthusiastic that this will lead to some good changes in the equine industry. Contrary to predictions back then, that finally his reputation might have been damaged, his empire and influence have grown considerably since then. 

The Danish Equestrian Federation had seen the video footage of the abusive training methods at Helgstrand dressage months before it was shown on TV. What did they do? They had a talk with him about how to improve training methods at his facilities. Seriously, that was all. Only now that the public is outraged about it, they acted. Which means it’s not because of concern for the horses, but because of the public image. Think about that for a moment.

What makes me really sad is that unless the FEI and corresponding national equestrian federations won’t reform their competition system, regarding horse age, warm-up practices and what is being rewarded with points, abusive training techniques won’t stop. Since many years, people don’t want to see bad riding anymore. And it still seems that what counts is level of influence and power. When certain riders show up at the competitions, they win although the horse is clearly lacking suppleness and its body tells a story of many years of wrong training.

I share other horse professional’s concerns that once day, because the FEI is not developing stricter rules for the wellbeing of horses, the social license for the equestrian sport will be called off by the public and it will affect all of us. Also those of us who are doing right by the horses. 

I’m thankful that there are some good people out there who document abusive practices. Things have to change, because it’s five to twelve. But I also feel disillusioned about lasting change coming from this.

Photos 2014 by @eponatv

Yours,