PE-backed Helgstrand Dressage merges with Ludger Beerbaum Stables

The deal is Helgstrand's second add-on acquisition under the GP's ownership, having in September last year acquired a 51% stake in Kingsland Equestrian.

The merged entity will be called Global Equestrian Group, which will have more than 150 employees, a presence in four countries and revenues of €60m. The group will also include the existing activities in Helgstrand Jewellery, clothing and equestrian sports brand Kingsland Equestrian, and other equestrian venture activities.

The day-to-day management of Ludger Beerbaum Stables and Helgstrand Dressage remain unchanged, and the owners will co-invest in Global Equestrian Group alongside Waterland.

As part of the deal, the Riesenbeck International Equestrian Center will be expanded and refurbished in the spring of 2021 to offer 300 permanent stables and new outdoor sand arenas.

Global Equestrian Group will also expand its activities within horse trading, training, rearing and breeding, both organically and through acquisitions of reputable stables.

Waterland acquired a majority stake in Helgstrand Dressage in 2018 – the GP's first investment in Denmark after opening its office in Copenhagen in August 2017. The company generated revenues of DKK 417m (€56m) in 2018 and an operating profit of DKK 98m (€13m). It has more than 100 employees in offices in Denmark, Germany and the US. 

Company
Ludger Beerbaum Stables is an equestrian show jumping business with sports and trading stables, and a stallion station located at the Riesenbeck International Equestrian Center in western Germany. 

People
Helgstrand Dressage – Andreas Helgstrand (owner, CEO).
Ludger Beerbaum Stables –  Ludger Beerbaum (owner, CEO).
Waterland – Kaspar Kristiansen (managing director).

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