PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The scandal surrounding Danish dressage star Andreas Helgstrand’s training methods is seriously damaging the sport.
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén thinks so.
– You go crazy. For the horses, for the sport, for everything. Condemning it was not difficult, it goes without saying, she says.
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén is one of Sweden’s most meritorious dressage riders. She has competed in seven Olympics and is thus one of the country’s most Olympians.
For several years, she has been associated with Lövsta stud, where she is stud manager. Lövsta is also the biggest sponsor behind the weekend’s international competitions in the Friends arena.
“Hugely negative”
But the recent scandal around Andreas Helgstrand currently lies like a black cloud over the sport of dressage.
Vilhelmson Silfvén is horrified by the images that Danish TV2 documented with a hidden camera at Andreas Helgstrand’s facility.
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The TV documentary shows, among other things, horses with bleeding mouths and stripes from sticks as well as wounds, caused by spurs, which are covered with shoe polish. Several independent experts testify that some of what the images show can be considered animal cruelty.
– It is in every way hugely negative for the sport. It’s a shame that we can’t talk about sports, says Vilhelmson Silfvén and adds:
– I think it is important that all people at all levels within dressage examine themselves. Am I doing the best I can with my animals?
– It is not possible to understand to what benefit and benefit this happens. It is difficult to comment. There is no explanation, says Vilhelmson Silfvén.
Now it is clear that Andreas Helgstrand will not compete for Denmark in Paris.
– There will be no Olympics. It is completely out of the question, says the Secretary General Jakob Ravnsbo to Danish North Jutland.
The site reports that Helgstrand also risks fines and suspension from more championships.
Shown on TV4
The national dressage team’s national captain Live in Jena reacts strongly to the images shown.
– What I have seen is unacceptable. At the same time, it is good that this is highlighted and that it comes to light, so that we can do something about it. People who are not in the know might think that what we saw is everyday life, but that is as far from our everyday life as you can get, he tells Tidningenridsport.se.
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TV4 has bought the rights to the Danish documentary and will show it on its play channels on Thursday.
What can be done in Swedish dressage to combat unethical training methods?
– I think above all that you have to try to set a good example and show how we handle our horses and the riding we want. You have to try to do everything that is good for the sport, how to train, how to train, how to handle the horse, says Vilhelmson Silfvén.
Facts: The scandal
• Rebekka Klubien, reporter on Danish TV2, took a job as a horse groomer at Helgstrand Dressage, a major player on the international dressage scene.
• During a month, she documented with a hidden camera, among other things, abuses, unethical training methods and improper care of horses.
• The documentary “Operation X: The secrets of the horse billionaire” was recently shown on Danish television and caused strong reactions. Swedish TV4 has bought the documentary and shows it on TV4 Play and TV4 Play+.
• Andreas Helgstrand, medalist in the Olympics, European Championships and World Championships, tried to legally stop the broadcast but was unsuccessful.
• Helgstrand is suspended from the Danish national team until further notice. He has admitted wrongdoing.
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