The historic Redefin State Stud in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was the venue for the 27th National Young Breeders’ Competition, which was organised this year by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Horse Breeders’ Association and supported by the Etalon Equine Genetics Volunteer Foundation.

110 young breeders from across Germany demonstrated their skills and knowledge in the disciplines of theory, linear conformation assessment, free jumping and preliminary inspection on the triangular arena. The Holsteiner teams emerged victorious in both age groups, enabling the Holsteiner Association to secure the title of overall winner ahead of the Brandenburg-Anhalt Horse Breeders’ Association and the Rhenish Horse Stud Book.

In the unique atmosphere of the historic stud farm, not only was professional exchange fostered, but camaraderie across association boundaries was also strengthened. Immediately following the ceremonial opening event on the historic parade ground, the theory competition began with 25 multiple-choice questions on breeding, husbandry, feeding, health and equestrian sport. When assessing the free jumping of five horses using the linear description, any deviation by the participants from the judges’ assessment was penalised with negative points. On Saturday, the horses were then presented on the triangular course at the Neuer Paradeplatz. The judging panel – Ulrike Dressel, Malene Maier, Yannick Pferdmenges, Robert Kock, Viktoria Herzog and Uwe Träder, long-standing stud book keeper for the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Horse Breeders’ Association – recognised lively performances that showed a willingness to take risks, showcasing the assigned horse dynamically yet with great sensitivity. During the linear assessment of conformation, the horses’ physique and movement were evaluated; here too, the primary aim was to achieve as many points of agreement as possible with the experienced judges.

“I am absolutely overwhelmed by this weekend and so proud of our team,” says Vivian Lohse, the representative for young and new breeders. “Whether participants, reserves or supporters – everyone supported one another and was there for each other.”

Age Group I (14 to 18 years):
1st place: Hannes Morten Buchholz (Rhineland-Palatinate-Saar Horse Breeders’ Association)
2nd place: Lara Bicker (Holsteiner Horse Breeders’ Association)
3rd place: Hanna Braun (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Horse Breeders’ Association)

Age Group II (18–25 years):
1st place: Michelle Guth (Rhineland-Palatinate-Saarland Horse Breeders’ Association)
2nd place: Antonia Ritter (Brandenburg-Anhalt Horse Breeders’ Association)
3rd place: Kathrin Kreuzer (Baden-Württemberg Horse Breeders’ Association)

Overall winner across both age groups
1st place: Michelle Guth (Rhineland-Palatinate-Saarland Horse Breeders’ Association)
2nd place: Antonia Ritter (Brandenburg-Anhalt Horse Breeders’ Association)
3rd place: Kathrin Kreuzer (Baden-Württemberg Horse Breeders’ Association)

Team Category I
1st place: Holsteiner Horse
Breeders’ Association 2nd place: Mecklenburg-Western
Pomerania Horse Breeders’ Association 3rd place: Hanoverian Association

Team Category II
1st place: Brandenburg-Anhalt
Horse Breeders’ Association 2nd place: Rhenish Horse Stud Book
3rd place: Holsteiner Horse Breeders’ Association

Overall winner
1st place: Holsteiner
Breeders’ Association 2nd place: Brandenburg-Anhalt
Horse Breeding Association 3rd place: Rhenish Horse Stud Book

Press release: German Equestrian Federation/Ines Rathke/fn-press/Hb