“Won’t you change partners and dance with me?” goes the line from the old Fred Astaire song. It keeps coming to mind as riders and countries change partners in a flurry of activity before the Jan. 15 deadline for nationality switches before this summer’s Paris Olympics.
The most recent swaps were announced by Andreas Helgstrand, following the Danish equestrian federation’s decision to keep him off that nation’s team — at least until January 2025 — after the scandal involving an undercover documentary of training practices at his stable.
Patrik Kittel of Sweden, who lost out on Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour’s Olympic ride, Bohemian, when the horse was sold to the U.S. for Endel Ots, will be getting the ride on Jovian in a new partnership. That was Andreas’ horse for the 2023 Danish national championships, where he won individual bronze but then lost it when the horse tested positive for medication due to colic treatment before the competition.
“I admire Jovian,” said Patrik of the World Championship for Young Dressage Horses winner.
“He is an absolutely fantastic horse, and I am honored to have the opportunity to ride him. I have been a fan of his since Andreas bought him. He has qualities beyond this world – when he trots, it’s like he’s trotting on clouds. I will do everything I can to do him justice and hope that we develop a good and fruitful partnership together.”
In collaboration with Queenparks Wendy’s owner, Bolette Wandt, Isabell Werth’s owner Madeleine Winter-Schulze has begun a partnership on the mare.
Andreas Helgstrand and Queenparks Wendy.
As a 5-year-old, Wendy won the Blue Hors Young Horse Championship with one of the highest scores ever, along with a bronze medal at the World Championships for young dressage horses.
Isabell said of her new mount, “I am very proud and grateful to welcome this outstanding horse as a new addition.”
She has other horses that are candidates for Paris, including Quantaz and Emilio, who was supposed to retire but was doing so well he kept on going.
Wendy’s owner Bolette Wandt called her mare and the German rider, “the perfect match. They are both true power girls. Wendy has a real ‘here-I-come’ charisma, talent, and power – the entire package required to reach the top. Moreover, she is still a young horse, and I have no doubt that there is a lot more to come in the future. Wendy is in very good hands with Isabell.”
Jovian doesn’t lack talent or results either. Andreas Helgstrand spotted him when he bought Jovian as a three-year-old. From there, things progressed quickly, and in 2019 and 2021, Jovian won the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses. By the age of 8, Jovian was already an internationally successful Grand Prix horse with a series of top international placements, including a bronze medal at the European Championships with the Danish national team in 2023.
“I admire Jovian. He is an absolutely fantastic horse, and I am honored to have the opportunity to ride him. I have been a fan of his since Andreas bought him. He has qualities beyond this world – when he trots, it’s like he’s trotting on clouds. I will do everything I can to do him justice and hope that we develop a good and fruitful partnership together,” said Patrik.
Jovian and Wendy are at the peak of their careers, according to a statement from Helgstrand, “so it only makes sense that they should have optimal conditions to develop their sporting potential” while Andreas is out of competition in 2024.
“Both Wendy and Jovian are two absolutely fantastic horses, and it’s, of course, a bit sad to say goodbye to them,” said the statement.
“However, I am most of all happy and proud that we have made agreements with two of the world’s absolute best dressage riders, allowing both horses to showcase their worth and continue on their journey towards the stars,” noted Andreas.
