Holsteiner Mares
MARES
Mare Inspection
If you want to breed your 3-year-old or older mare, she must be registered in the Holsteiner Verband stud book.
Holsteiner Verband Studbook and Registration system
If you want to breed your 3-year-old or older mare, she must be entered into the Holsteiner Verband studbook.
Upon inspection for registration mares are presented in hand and at liberty and will receive marks on type, topline, front legs, hind legs, walk, trot, and canter.
Depending on the scores and certain pedigree requirements, mares may be awarded special designations (premium status).
Studbook and Registration System (B6 of the statutes)
Awards for Mares (B21 of the Statutes)
Mare inspection dates
The Schleswig-Holstein mare inspections are held in May. For members in the extended breeding area, shared mare inspections and foal registration and inspection sites are held from June to September.
Please fill in and submit the entry form for mare inspection and studbook registration to enter your mare for an inspection site.
All mares to be inspected for studbook registration must be entered in writing! The closing date for mare registration is 1 MAY 2026. The Kiel office should have received the application forms by this date to avoid delays in printing the catalogue.
VERBAND MARE SHOW 2026
Selection of Three- and Four-Year-Old Mares for the Elite Mare Show:
1. The selection of qualified mares will take place as part of the mare inspection tour between May 21 and May 28, 2026.
2. The following three- and four-year-old mares will be selected for the Elite Mare Show:
a. Mares that meet the pedigree requirements for the status of stallion dam (B6.1b) and have achieved a minimum total score of 52 points, with the mare’s type rated at least 8 according to the scoring scale (B6.2); or
b. Mares with a positive result in the mare performance test, achieving an average score of at least 8.5, whose total score at the mare inspection is 50 or 51 points, provided their type is rated at least 7 according to the scoring scale (B6.2).
The final score will be determined in Elmshorn.
3. Verband Premium Mares (Verbandsprämienstuten) will receive the title State Premium Mare if they have completed a mare performance test with an average score of at least 7.0. For Premium Mares that have not taken the mare performance test, the title State Premium Mare may be granted retrospectively upon written application by the owner, provided the following conditions are met:
a. At four years old: placement in a young riding horse test, Class A show jumping horse test, Class A dressage horse test, or Class A eventing horse test; or
b. At five years old: placement in a Class L show jumping, dressage, or eventing horse test; or
c. At six years old: placement in a Class M show jumping, dressage, or eventing horse test.
4. The Elite Mare Show will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Elmshorn.
MARE INSPECTION DATES 2026
Please note: In all breeding districts, inspection of 5-year-old and older mares will take place prior to the inspection of 3- and 4-year-old mares.
Non-registered mares and mares from other breeding districts will be presented at the end of their age class.
The equine passport of the mare must be handed in at the show!
Thursday, 21.05.2026
Breeding Districts Bordesholm, Plön and Rendsburg-Eckernförde
02:00 pm in Tasdorf (Gestüt Tasdorf)
Tuesday, 26.05.2026
Breeding Districts Dithmarschen, Pinneberg, Steinburg, Europe and North America
09:00 am in Elmshorn (Holsteiner Verband)
Wednesday, 27.05.2026
Breeding districts Nordfriesland and Schleswig-Flensburg
02:00 pm in Behrendorf (indoor arena)
Thursday, 28.05.2026
Breeding districts Ostholstein, Segeberg and Stormarn-Lauenburg
10:00 am in Kayhude (Hof Barkholz)
MARE AND FOAL INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION SITES IN GERMANY AND ABROAD
Important: In case the registration/inspection date is nearing and you have not yet received the registration documents even though you have submitted the Certificate of Birth in due form, do not hesitate to contact the Breeding Department in Elmshorn (+49 4121 4979-0)!
It is possible to present foals simultaneously for registration and for selection for the auction on all dates of the tour from 23 to 28 June 2026.
Photography and video recording will take place on the sites from 23 to 27 June 2026.
Note for breeders abroad: Please note the inspection options in Denmark, Poland and the Netherlands. Due to the restructuring of the association following the relocation of the Breeding Department from Kiel to Elmshorn unfortunately no further dates can be offered in the Breeding District Europe this year. However, we aim to offer additional dates abroad again next year and thank you for your understanding!
The following dates have been fixed so far, changes may still be possible:
Saturday, 20.06.2026
11.00 Uhr 6520 Toftlund (DK), Hølleskovvej 4 – Linnet-Horses (Egon Jessen, 0045-40459556)
Tuesday, 23.06.2026
10.00 Uhr 18273 Güstrow, Am Gewerbegrund 4 – Cavallo Arena (Anja Koch, 0172-7065469)
Tuesday, 23.06.2026
14.00 Uhr 16321 Bernau, Rüdnitzer Str. 12D – Gestüt Ladeburg (Udo Verworner, 0172-6917421)
Wednesday, 24.06.2026
9.00 Uhr 64-300 Nowy Tomysl (PL), Glinno 65a – KNT Stajnia Kasperscy (Wojciech Kasperski, 0048-504123502)
Thursday, 25.06.2026
13.00 Uhr 73479 Ellwangen, Hornbergstr. 89 – Holsteiner Sportpferde Eichert (Klaus-Philipp Eichert, 0170-9043978)
Friday, 26.06.2026
9.00 Uhr 64372 Ober-Ramstadt, Nieder-Modauer Str. 16 – Waldenserhof (Horst K. Heleine, 0172-6019005)
16.00 Uhr 48231 Warendorf, Gröblingen 47 – Pferdesportzentrum Warendorf (Georg Ettwig, 0173-6541611)
Saturday, 27.06.2026
8.30 Uhr 37574 Einbeck, Bentieröder Born 4 (Wolfgang Harjes, 0171-7701271)
13.00 Uhr 30855 Langenhagen, Maaßweg 33 – Kiebitzhof (Fritz Engelke, 0172-5160456)
16.00 Uhr 29227 Celle, Burger Landstr. 54 – Zand Dynasty Springpferde (Darius Zand, 0173-3074429)
Sonntag, 28.06.2026
13.30 Uhr 28876 Oyten, Moorstr. 45 – Zuchthof Hollen (Dr. Günther und Bettina Friemel, 0172-4208235)
Friday, 17.07.2026
16.00 Uhr 93149 Nittenau, Tiefenhof 10 – Rödl Sportpferde GmbH (Stefan Rödl, 09436-300044)
Wednesday, 12.08.2026
13.00 Uhr 7954 GG Rouven (NL), Oude Rijksweg 506 (Peter Huisman, 0031-654795825)
Wednesday, 12.08.2026
46282 Dorsten-Hardt, Bestener Str. 70/145 – Hengststation Hoffrogge (Markus Hoffrogge, 0173-4874425), Uhrzeit folg
I
Inspection Tour in the Breeding District Europe 2026
Here you will find information on foal registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to amend a registration retrospectively?
Yes. If incorrect assumptions were made when registering a mare, the registration will be corrected.
Under what conditions is a re-assessment possible?
Mares may be re-scored on a one-off basis, generally no earlier than one year after entry in the stud book, following a further presentation to the Mare Registration Commission.
When must I deregister a mare?
If a mare is withdrawn from breeding, the owner must deregister her by the end of the year via the stock declaration for the following breeding year. Withdrawal due to death or emergency slaughter must be reported to the association without delay.
Can a deregistered mare be re-registered?
A deregistered mare may be re-registered at any time following written notification from the owner, whilst retaining her previous registration status. A fee is payable for re-registration.
The Association’s schedule of fees can be found here.
What do I need to bear in mind when ownership of a mare changes?
Upon written confirmation from the mare’s new owner, the change of ownership will be entered in the Association’s stud book without delay.
The following conditions must be met:
the new owner must be, or become
, a member of the Association; and the mare must be registered in a section of the stud book.
The form for reporting a change of ownership can be found here.
How are the mare lines continued?
The mare lines (line numbers) previously maintained by the association are continued via the foals and printed on the pedigree certificates.
How are new line numbers assigned?
New line numbers are allocated by the Association upon application, provided that the last four generations are entered in the Association’s stud book (H, S and V I).
Can a mare be entered retrospectively in the Ancestry Register?
Holsteiner mares that died before being entered in the Association’s stud book or are no longer available for entry for other reasons may be entered retrospectively in the Association’s Ancestry Register provided they meet the pedigree requirements for entry in one of the three sections of the stud book (H, S or V1, or ZB I, ZB II or VB).
The Executive Committee decides on registration following the submission of a written application.
MARES
Verband Mare Show
Three- and four-year-old mares that meet specific pedigree requirements and receive at least 52 points during mare registration in their breeding district, or have received 50 or 51 points and have also passed a mare performance test with an average score of 8.5 or higher, qualify to participate in the Verband Mare Show in Elmshorn in June.
Results of the final rings in the breeding districts 2026:
ERGEBNISSE AUS KAYHUDE (KÖRBEZIRKE OSTHOLSTEIN, SEGEBERG, STORMARN-LAUENBURG)
Ergebnisse aus Behrendorf (Körbezirke Nordfriesland und Schleswig-Flensburg)
Ergebnisse aus Elmshorn (Körbezirke Pinneberg, Steinburg, Europa und Nord-Amerika
Ergebnisse aus Tasdorf (Körbezirke Bordesholm, Plön und Rendsburg-Eckernförde)
Information about the mare performance test
Mares may undergo performance testing on station or in the field.
The basic gaits, rideability and free jumping are judged. When undergoing on-station testing, the mares’ willingness to perform will be judged, as well. Successful mare performance testing is one of the requirement to be eligible for the State Premium designation.
Station Test
After a break of several years, the station tests for mares were offered at the association's facility in Elmshorn until 2024.
The station test involves 14-day training and a final test. In addition to evaluating basic gaits, rideability and free jumping, it also encompasses interior traits, subsumed under the mark for “willingness to perform and handling”.
The station test’s advantage is that the mares are trained and tested under standardized conditions over a two week period.
Field Test
The one-day field tests are held on the association's ground in Elmshorn.
The one-day field test is organized and conducted by the respective breeding associations (Holsteiner Verband and Pferdestammbuch Schleswig-Holstein).
The field test starts with the free jumping in a jump chute (indoor arena), followed by a presentation under the own rider in groups up to four mares to evaluate basic gaits and rideability. Finally, the mare’s rideability is judged yet again by a test rider.
Holsteiner mares performance tested in Schleswig-Holstein (station or field test) sired by a young stallion (1st or 2nd covering season) or a Thoroughbred stallion will receive about 500 euros in financial support. Mare owners with a Holsteiner Verband membership will be contacted by the breeding department after the last field test.
Registration and dates
The registration for the field test are done at the Breeding Departmant in Elmshorn.
Field Test
Dates:
May 20, 2026 Elmshorn
June 24, 2026 Elmshorn
Registration:
Only at the Elmshorn (20. May) field tests, the performance tested mares can also be registered into the Holsteiner studbook on the same day. Please state your intention to have your mare studbook-registered when entering your mare for performance testing.
Procedure: Please present the mare for measurement before the free jumping and have the equine passport ready. Afterward, hand the equine passport in at the registration desk; it will be returned to you after the test is completed. The conformation evaluation takes place during the free jumping.
Submitting the Holsteiner Verband studbook inspection is mandatory also for mares intended for studbook registration during the Elmshorn (20. May) field test.
Entry Form Mare Performance Test - Field Test
Adjustments in weighting the mare performance test criteria
To promote the breeding of Holsteiner dressage horses, and for a more performance-related assessment of dressage oriented mares, the dressage committee suggested adjusting the way the evaluated mare performance test criteria are weighted.
These suggestions have been implemented, so that the final test score is now calculated by weighting the criteria differently for jumping and dressage oriented mares.
Weighting the mare performance test criteria
Please state the mare’s orientation (jumping or dressage) on the field test entry form. The final test score will be calculated accordingly.
In case no information is provided, the mare will be considered as jumping oriented.
Field trial in Elmshorn
The one-day field test is held at the association’s grounds in Elmshorn.
It is conducted and organised by the respective breeding associations (Holsteiner Verband and Pferdestammbuch Schleswig-Holstein).
The field test begins with free jumping in the indoor arena. The mare is then presented under her own rider in a group of up to four horses to assess her basic dressage skills and rideability. Finally, a test with a different rider is carried out to assess her rideability.
Holsteiner mares that are by a young stallion (1st or 2nd year of service) or a Thoroughbred stallion, and have passed a mare performance test in Schleswig-Holstein (station or field), will receive a grant of approximately €500.00. Owners of the mares in question who are members of the Holsteiner Verband will be contacted by the Breeding Department following the final field test.
Registration and Dates
Registration for the field performance test takes place at the Holsteiner Verband in Kiel.
Dates:
20 May 2026 Elmshorn
24 June 2026 Elmshorn
Registration for mare entry: Only during the first field test in Elmshorn (20 May 2026) is it possible to enter the tested mares into the Holsteiner Verband’s stud book. Please state when entering your mare whether you wish her to be entered in the stud book. Please also complete the registration form for mare entry.
Procedure:
Please present the mare for measurement before the free jumping test and have her equine passport to hand. You will then hand in the equine passport at the registration desk; it will be returned to you once the test has finished. The conformation assessment takes place during the free jumping test.
Entry form for mare performance test – field test
Preparation guidelines for the field test
Station test for mares in Schlieckau (held every 14 days)
For the first time, Holsteiner mares can be entered for the external mare performance test as a station test at Stall Bescht in Schlieckau. The performance test will take place from 6 to 21 May 2026. The cost for the entire test programme is €750.00 plus VAT per mare.
Costs for the vet and farrier will be invoiced separately. Registration and administration are handled by Stall Bescht.
Please use
The conformation assessment for entry into the stud book takes place before the mares’ free jumping. The height at the withers is measured before the presentation in hand. Please also present the mare’s equine passport for this purpose. Please use the registration form for Holsteiner mares, which is available on the website www.bescht-schlieckau.de/slp/. We ask that you observe the conditions published there.
All information at a glance:
Arrival:
6 May 2026
Assessment:
21 May 2026
Cost:
€750.00 plus VAT per mare. (Veterinary and farrier’s fees will be charged separately)
Venue and contact details:
Susann-Babett & Helmar Bescht
Breeding and Training
Stables, Schlieckau No. 2
, 29562 Suhlendorf
Tel.: +49 (0) 5804 970 270
Mobile: +49 (0) 173 914 85 95
Email: h.bescht@t-online.de
We ask all breeders to enter their mares for the 2026 station test and to enable them to take part in this performance test, which is of great importance for breeding.
Weighting of characteristics in the mare test
To promote dressage horse breeding in Holstein, the ‘Dressage’ working group has proposed adjusting the weightings of the assessed characteristics in the mare inspection, in order to evaluate mares with dressage potential in a more performance-oriented manner.
Weighting of characteristics in the mare inspection
The final mark for the field test is derived from the weightings applied to the marks for the individual characteristics.
Please indicate on the field test entry form whether the mare entered is a show jumping-oriented or dressage-oriented mare. The final result of the performance test will then be calculated accordingly.
If you do not specify this, the mare will be assessed as ‘jumping-oriented’.
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