On 9 December, the delegates of the Holsteiner Verband met with the managing directors and the honorary board for their second meeting of the year 2025 in Neumünster.
Olaf Rörden opened the delegates' assembly with his welcome. The First Chairman reviewed the year in his speech. Alongside regional successes, Rörden particularly highlighted the brilliant performances of the Holsteiner horses at the Bundeschampionat and the World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Zangersheide Stud. "It was important and right to present ourselves there," the chairman is certain. "We received a lot of encouragement and numerous congratulations," Olaf Rörden continued.
Regarding the board's work, he reported, among other things, on necessary cost-cutting measures, the adjustment of training fees, the relocation of the Holsteiner Shop to Elmshorn, and the sale of the sporting rights of Crack HV and Zuccero HV, both of whom are performing exceptionally well on the international stage with their new riders. The board agrees that the revenue is important in order to remain competitive on the market. And following their sporting commitments, the stallions will return to Elmshorn.
Stephan Haarhoff, Breeding Director and Managing Director
Stephan Haarhoff once again had to report a decline in registered horses. Around ten percent fewer foals, a total of 2,202, were registered. Roughly 655 mares of various ages were entered into the studbook of the Holsteiner Verband.
With a review of the breeding events of the past year, the report on the first Holsteiner Eventing Day and finally an outlook on the upcoming year, the breeding director concluded his presentation.
Felix Flinzer, Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH
Felix Flinzer gave an overview of the sires belonging to the Hengsthaltungs GmbH. With Conchezz (131), Cognac (117) and Kantato (66), three of the very young stallions have received a great deal of support from the breeding community. Among the older stallions, United Way (252), Million Dollar (182), Casall (146) and Uriko (137) lead the ranking.
Overall, a 9.5 percent decline in breedings must be noted. The population currently comprises 27.30 licensed stallions and 64.5 stallions under three years of age. Cancara, Clarksville, Daikon, Dubliner, Zuccarello as well as the sporting rights to Crack HV and Zuccero HV were sold. The provisional result is significantly above plan. With an outlook for the year 2026 – including a planned stallion presentation in Warendorf on 14 March – the managing director concluded his report.
Felix Flinzer, Holsteiner Verband Vermarktungs und Auktions GmbH
As head of marketing, Felix Flinzer continued his remarks. Successful auctions – for example at the Hamburg Derby, in Elmshorn, Warendorf, Falsterbo and Hörup – as well as the sales stable achieved a provisional result in the clearly positive range. For instance, 23 horses found a new owner via the sales stable in Elmshorn in 2025. To further expand sales engagement – also for the semen of the Verband stallions – Bryan White has been strengthening the team in Elmshorn since October.
Thies Beuck, Finance Consultant
Thies Beuck attended the delegates' assembly as a finance consultant. He had brought along some figures. "The situation has eased significantly – naturally also due to the sale of stallions," explained Thies Beuck. This is an opportunity to adapt to modern times and prepare the Verband for the future now, Beuck advised the delegates.
Subsequently, Sabine Verhaagh presented the activities of the association for Holsteiner breeding and sport promotion. Alongside the pilot project of the Eventing Day, the First Chairwoman of the Förderverein reported on the successfully conducted courses for artificial insemination with own stock.
Elections
The agenda concluded with the elections of the members of the registration and premium commission. Eight seats had to be refilled here. Alongside experienced members, numerous younger breeders also put themselves forward for election. The newly elected members are ultimately: Philipp Battermann-Voss, Johanna Boysen, Jesse Luther, Jörg Schramm, Alina Hinzmann, Jonte Hansen, Harald Meyer and Greta Lüschow.
