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2008 Olympic Games
Blue Hors Matine Not to Compete at the 2008
Olympic Games
May 7, 2008
 Andreas
Helgstrand will not be riding Blue Hors Matine in the
2008 Hong Kong Olympic Games. Blue Hors stud manager
Esben Møller notifed the Danish Equestrian Fedeation
that the grey Danish Warmblood mare is not
fit enough for the Games.
The decision not to show Matine (by Blue Hors Silvermoon)
was made in agreement with the veterinarians. They
detected damage to the tendon connected to the fetlock
bone (suspensory ligament) and this still hasn't fully
healed.
"The risk is simply
too big," Andreas Helgstrand commented."Scans
showed that she has not healed 100% and that
means I can't train her to the highest level, to Olympic
Games strength. This is naturally annoying, but we
are urged to wait. She is only 11-years old. If I
push her now,
I run the risk to have a horse at half strength
in Hong Kong. That's no good for anyone."
Esben Møller added, "We have to think about
Matine's wellbeing. If she can be in top shape at the
Olympics, she can be a clear candidate for the medals.
We simply can't take the chance to ride her there while
her condition is not totally stabile. We want to stay
realistic. The next three months are incredibly important."
 Andreas
Helgstrand is certain of individual Olympic qualification
and will select his World Cup Finals'
horse Gredstedgaards Casmir (by Continue) for the Gales. "I
still have Casmir," Andreas
Helgstrand commented."He is despite his young
age one of the best horses in the world. I now want
to concentrate all my energy on him."
Møller believes that the pressure on Helgstrand
is much bigger now after having won an individual silver
medal at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. "With Matine
we experienced steady growth from May till the
2006
World
Championships
in
August. The situation
with Casmir is different. On paper, Casmir has produced
many more results than Matine had in the same point
of her career. But there is totally different focus
on Andreas now. When he won the silver, he came from
the sidelines and was the outsider. Today, expectations
of him are collosal.
The underdog position fits better with the Danish mentality.
But if anyone can handle the pressure, it is Andreas
and Casmir."
Related Links
Andreas Helgstrand and Matine, 2006 Danish Dressage
Champions
Andreas Helgstrand and Blue Hors Matine Withdraw at 2007
World Cup Finals
Helgstrand to Ride Blue Hors Don Schufro at 2007 European
Championships
Andreas Helgstrand
got misquoted in the German press on
Matine's condition
Andreas Helgstrand, 2007 Danish Dressage Champion
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