Andreas Helgstrand's horse sales business is booming. This year it has already officially declared a profit of 68.5 million Danish crowns (over 9 million euro). With 250 horses at his yard in Vodskov and 60 staff members employed, Helgstrand has achieved a revenue of 33 million euro. This year the Danish horse dealer expanded his business to hosting the CDIO Uggerhalne and he has rented a yard in Wellington Florida, where they will begin selling horses as of 2018. Ridehesten reported that in 2016 the declared profit of the company was 4.8 million euro.
Philippine Grand Prix rider Ellesse Tzinberg got engaged to her partner Henrik Gundersen, on 6 November 2017. The couple announced their engagement on Facebook. The 26-year old Ellesse first met the 47-year old Gundersen while she was competing on the Wellington show circuit in Florida, where Henrik is based. Gundersen is a renowned show jumping horse dealer and was previously married to Danish Grand Prix team rider Mikala Munter Gundersen. They are still in the process of getting divorced.
By the way, did you see the embedded video on the top right corner? Now that's what I call a good trailer loading job!
From reigning Irish national dressage champion Anne Marie Dunphy. The Irish Grand Prix rider graduated as a Sport Ireland Institute Tutor at University of Limerick on 12 November 2017. "Thanks to Horse Sport Ireland for nominating me for this course. Liam Moggan’s Tutor Development Program has been a huge influence on my career and many others, his courses hallmarked by hard work, inspiration, learning, fun, games and antics. A standing ovation at this evenings ceremony was no less than he deserves," said Dunphy.
American amateur Grand Prix rider Marne Martin-Tucker had to say goodbye to her top ride, the 12-year old Oldenburg mare Royal Coeur (by Royal Hit x Le Coeur). Martin-Tucker acquired Royal Coeur as a youngster the 2009 Oldenburg Spring Elite auction in Vechta. The pair represented the U.S.A. at the 2011 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden. Royal Coeur went on to be competed at national Grand Prix level in the U.S.A. This elite mare also produced three ET foals: Royal Temptation (by Temptation), Dante Coeur (by Dante Weltino) and Diamond Coeur (by Diamond Stud). Royal Coeur suffered from laminitis after a hormone treatment for embryotransfer. Despite massive efforts from vets, farrier and owner, she could not be saved and had to be euthanized.
Israeli junior rider Michelle Henselijn has acquired the 11-year old Dutch warmblood BB King (by Painted Black x Vincent) from Paulien Alberts.. BB king has been competed at national small tour level in The Netherlands, but has not done any CDI's yet.
Fleau de Baian, the 7-year old full brother of Adelinde Cornelissen's Parzival (by Jazz x Ulft) has been entered for the pre-selection days for the 2018 KWPN Stallion Licensing. The liver chestnut stallion is already AES and Oldenburg approved, but is now going to try for a KWPN breeding pass in his home country.