“I am very pleased and proud of my entire team. Both our young stallions and our riders have once again done an outstanding job today and made a strong sporting impression,” summarised Managing Director Felix Flinzer following the 2026 Holsteiner Young Stallion Presentation.
On 1 May, the team at Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH had invited breeders, clients and interested parties to the Herbert-Blöcker-Platz to see the association’s three- to six-year-old stallions in action.
The focus was on the four- to six-year-old stallions, who were presented in courses appropriate to their age and level of training. The four-year-old sires in particular confirmed the positive impressions made during their first competition appearances of the season. These included, amongst others, Cognac by Comme il faut–Monte Bellini (Nybor Pferde GmbH & Co. KG, Südlohn) and the 2024 Stallion of the Year, Conchezz by Colestus–Caretino (Sören von Rönne, Neuendeich). “Cognac makes it very easy for the rider. He has a great attitude and always has his sights set on the top bar,” said Arne van Heel, describing the feeling in the saddle.
At short notice, Tjade Carstensen took over the ride on Union City by United Way–Connor (Alf Bartholomäus, Klein Offenseth). The six-year-old stallion had recently impressed with three clear rounds in the Youngster Tour at Horses & Dreams in Hagen and also showed great composure, ability and remarkable poise in Elmshorn. “Although he’s so big, he has excellent reflexes – and his boundless ability is obvious,” said Carstensen.
International genetics with a Holsteiner foundation
Another particular highlight was the performance of the five-year-old Karlo de Kalvarie (Stal de Kalvarie, Belgium). The son of Kassander van’t Roosakker is the first offspring of Chiara de Kalvarie by Sea Coast Don’t Touch Tiji Hero, who is enjoying success on the Global Champions Tour under Gilles Thomas (BEL). She is also a full sister to the Grand Prix winner Dourkhan Hero Z, ridden by Christian Ahlmann. “With Karlo, we have a highly interesting alternative bloodline in our line-up, one that is genetically sound across generations,” explained Felix Flinzer.
Also eagerly anticipated were the first public appearances of Carthago Sitte by Carthago-Chellano Z (Peter Sterkens, Belgium), Chacfly Diamond ML by Chacfly PS-Casall (Tomasz Olszewski, Poland), Chacoris by Chacco-Blue-Coriano (Manfred von Allwörden, Grönwohld) and Chopino by Copino VA-For Pleasure (Manfred von Allwörden, Grönwohld) were also eagerly anticipated. There was also a reunion with the reigning Holsteiner Champion Stallion, Dark Zuccero by Zuccero-Caretino (Hanno Köhncke, Badendorf), who was presented by Maria Bodega. The rider was full of praise: “He is highly intelligent and his rideability scores deserve 10 out of 10 – a real superstar.”
The programme was rounded off by the presentation of foals sired by the young stallions, as well as a raffle for free jumping sessions in aid of the Holsteiner Young Breeders’ Association, the proceeds of which will once again go entirely towards supporting young talent.
Anyone who was unable to attend the event in person can watch the presentation in the ClipMyHorse.tv media library.
Photo: Janne Bugtrup (Union City by United Way and Tjade Carstensen)
