It has now become a cherished tradition at the Holsteiner Verband for the young stallions to be presented in Elmshorn on 1 May – fortunately, this year with spectators in attendance once again. In addition, Norbert Boley was given a ceremonial send-off as he retired after 40 years as managing director.
The new managing director of Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH, Sebastian Rohde, had already taken up his post in mid-March and was delighted with how his first presentation went. “We’ve received consistently positive feedback on this opening event, and following the stallions’ excellent performances, I’m feeling optimistic about the coming weeks,” said Rohde. The association’s stallions, aged between three and six, were shown under saddle and in short courses appropriate to their age, with commentary provided by Sebastian Rohde, ClipMyHorse.TV presenter Henner Hoeschen and trainer Karsten Huck. Several hundred spectators had come to Elmshorn to see for themselves. Among them was national coach Otto Becker: “The young stallions were very impressive and of the highest quality. They all jumped in a very calm, contented and confident manner – just as one would hope.” There was another reason why the national coach had made the journey: together with many other long-standing colleagues, he wanted to pay tribute to Norbert Boley on his retirement.
The next chapter
Hinrich Romeike, First Chairman of the Holsteiner Verband, opened the celebrations with a eulogy highlighting the key milestones – and stallions – in Norbert Boley’s career as Managing Director since 1983. Great sires such as Cor de la Bryère, Lord and Landgraf, then Corrado I, Contender and Caretino, and later Casall and Clarimo have shaped – and continue to shape – international show jumping breeding. Boley specifically approached riders such as Franke Sloothaak, Ludger Beerbaum and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and had them ride Holsteiner stallions. He also nurtured home-grown talent such as Thies Luther, Bo Kristoffersen and Lars Bak Andersen. When Norbert Boley became managing director in 1983, the Holsteiner Association’s stallions were still spread across the various stations and were used for natural mating. This was to change in the years that followed. “Norbert Boley recognised the potential of artificial insemination with fresh semen and systematically implemented the change,” said Hinrich Romeike. “Stallions could now cover more mares and were available across stations and even across the association – that was spectacular at the time.” With the refurbishment of the stud farm and the construction of the Fritz-Thiedemann Hall and the Herbert-Blöcker-Platz, he was also involved in numerous other projects which continue to this day to enable stallion management of the highest standard. “Thank you very much for your unwavering 100 per cent commitment to the Holsteiner horse,” concluded Romeike, presenting him with a sculpture of Casall commissioned especially for the occasion. Furthermore, the Executive Board of the Holsteiner Verband presented him with a picture of the stallions from Casall’s lineage. On behalf of the German Equestrian Federation (FN), Gerd Sosath presented Norbert Boley with the bronze Gustav Rau Medal for services to German horse breeding. “You have not only become a good friend to me, but also a man of integrity, whose word many stallion owners have always heeded,” said Sosath. Speaking on behalf of the chairpersons of the Holsteiner licensing districts, Ulrich Steuber thanked the outgoing managing director and presented him with an e-bike as a gift for this new chapter in his life. Another long-standing companion of Norbert Boley’s is Alessandro Mingoli, who has been trading in horses from the ‘Land between the Seas’ for decades – having, amongst other things, discovered Harrie Smolders’ Monaco – and who also offered words of friendship. Norbert Boley is certain that he will remain committed to the Holsteiner horse: “This isn’t the end, but the start of the next chapter. In this new phase, I will remain loyal to the equestrian world, but will have more time for my family. With nearly five grandchildren, another challenge awaits me. Many thanks to everyone who came today. I see this as a mark of appreciation for me personally and for my work.”
