On 13 June, the delegates of the Holsteiner Verband gathered for their first assembly of the year 2024 at the Holstenhalle in Neumünster.

Ulrich Steuber, First Chairman
Following the welcome address by Ulrich Steuber, the First Chairman reviewed recent events. "The young stallion licensing in Elmshorn was a very good event that suits the global stage," Steuber summarised. He assessed the concept as "the right step", which would be continued and further developed. The same applied to the first Holsteiner Hengsttage in March featuring a joint stallion presentation by association and private stallions, a licensing, and the spring auction. Ulrich Steuber also addressed the frozen semen auction held at the beginning of June and discussed ethical concerns. He emphasised that the straws sold would predominantly not be used for ICSI purposes. "Many buyers have indicated that the semen will be used for conventional artificial inseminations." He concluded his report with remarks on financial matters. Advisory board member Klaus Sievers (VR Bank) was enlisted to optimise monthly controlling. A financial report by the managing directors is now on the agenda at every board meeting.

Stephan Haarhoff, Kiel Studbook Office
Stephan Haarhoff opened his report with some figures. Coverings for the overall association had declined by around 13 percent in 2023, and the same applies to mare registrations (-3.3 percent) and competition horse registrations with the FN (-7.4 percent). The breeding director also presented figures for the current breeding season: 1,900 foals have been reported so far and 285 mares entered, of which 37 qualified for the elite mare show in Elmshorn. Looking to the future, Stephan Haarhoff announced plans to develop a new concept for the collection points of mare entries. "We must create significantly more incentives here and increase the attractiveness of presenting mares there," he is certain.

Sebastian Rohde, Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH
Sebastian Rohde gave an overview of the stallion population. Currently, 51 sires are available via the Hengsthaltungs GmbH, 33 of which are in fresh semen use. By 1 June, the stallions available via fresh semen had covered 1,560 mares, representing an increase of around eleven percent. "Coverings are currently stable," the managing director was able to announce. Million Dollar is the most popular among breeders with 180 mares, followed by Casall (131), United Way (114), Charaktervoll HV (108), Uriko (100), and Zuccero HV (78). Adagio da Talma, Cancara, Zuccarello, Crunch, and Cesano II are leased out.

Felix Flinzer, Holsteiner Verband Vermarktungs und Auktions GmbH
Felix Flinzer reviewed the auctions that have taken place so far in 2024 in the spring and at the Derby-Platz. He also presented the concept of the revived, association-owned trading stable. Head rider Arne van Heel is currently training twelve horses, a large proportion of them on behalf of breeders. "With the trading stable, we are expanding our range of services for breeders and our circle of customers alike," managing director Felix Flinzer explained the concept. He concluded his report with an outlook on the upcoming auctions in Falsterbo, Hörup, Elmshorn, and Warendorf, as well as the Holsteiner foal month in autumn, an uncomplicated marketing addition to the auctions.

Financial Report
The agenda was followed by the financial report, which had already caused a stir in advance and was discussed by the assembly. The fact is that both the parent company in Kiel and the two subsidiary companies in Elmshorn have generated significantly negative results. In addition to the difficult market situation, the veterinary fee scale (GOT), two main licensings, a financially complex IT conversion, declines in coverings and associated declines in registrations, write-downs, lower margins on trading horses, construction measures, and increased energy costs, among other things, were cited as causes. An extensive package of measures, some of which have already been implemented, was presented in this context: for example, the umbrella organisation in Kiel is undertaking restructuring measures at PFERD+SPORT, internal breeding value estimation is being discontinued, exclusively field performance tests will be offered for mares in the future, operating costs are being optimised, events are being bundled, and the fee schedule is being adjusted, for example.
The Hengsthaltungs GmbH intends to continue systematically streamlining its population, bringing more horses into the trading market, further expanding digitalisation, and intensifying international markets. Relocating the stallion presentation from Neumünster to Elmshorn also contributes significantly to cost savings. The Vermarktungs GmbH has set itself the goal of generating further commissions and new customers through the trading stable. Furthermore, events are to be optimised, thereby reducing costs. Wolfgang Lüth from the auditing firm then explained the execution of the audit and the result. Lüth confirmed that proper bookkeeping and preparation of the annual financial statements were carried out in accordance with German commercial law regulations. Philipp Schwartz-Hafter and Philipp Behr conducted the cash audit and found it to be in order. The assembly subsequently discharged the board.

The delegates' assembly also approved two amendments to the statutes:

1. Members of the licensing commission can be newly elected or re-elected until the completion of their 75th year of life.

2. During yard inspections by the registration and premium commission, an authorised full-time employee may also take over the assessment.

3. When re-presenting a stallion for licensing, a period of three months must be observed.