If you wish to actively breed with your three-year-old or older mare, the mare must be entered in the association’s stud book. During the mare’s registration, the mares are presented in hand and at a free walk and are assessed on conformation, topline, forequarters, hindquarters, walk, trot and canter. Based on the assessment and certain pedigree requirements, mares may be awarded a special distinction (premium). From 2025, mare registrations in Schleswig-Holstein will take place at four central locations rather than individually in the selection districts. Breeding Director Stephan Haarhoff explains the new system.

Mr Haarhoff, how will Holsteiner mare registrations take place in future?
Stephan Haarhoff: “From May 2025, there will be four locations in Schleswig-Holstein for mare registrations with the Holsteiner Verband. In Behrendorf, mare registration for the Schleswig-Flensburg and North Frisia licensing districts will take place jointly. The Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Plön and Bordesholm licensing districts will carry out their registration in Tasdorf. The Association’s premises in Elmshorn will be the registration venue for Dithmarschen, Pinneberg, Steinburg and the Europe selection district. And in Kayhude, mares from Segeberg, Stormarn-Lauenburg and Ostholstein will come together.”

How did this decision come about?
Stephan Haarhoff: “After careful consideration and a number of discussions – including within the Breeding Committee and with the selection districts and their chairpersons – we wish to take this step in order to enhance the status of mare registrations once again and to pool our resources. When several licensing districts organise the events jointly, not only do more mares attend each event and comparability improve, but the exchange between breeders is also encouraged, and the event’s appeal is likely to increase thanks to the division of tasks amongst the districts. “Our mares deserve to be given the attention they are due.” 

How will the events be organised in detail from now on?
Stephan Haarhoff: “Essentially, nothing will change regarding the registration process: the mare should be presented in the best possible condition and must already have been inspected. She will be measured, assessed whilst moving freely, presented in hand and trotted on the triangular track.”

Does this mean that, from now on, there will only be four champion mares?
Stephan Haarhoff: “No, not at all. One champion mare will continue to be selected for each selection district.” 

Will the new concept affect registrations in the extended breeding area?
Stephan Haarhoff: “No. Mare registrations in the extended breeding area will continue to run in parallel with the foal registration tour there from late June to early August this year.”

The four central locations in Schleswig-Holstein for mare registrations from 2025

Dates for 2025:
Monday 19 May 2025
Selection districts of Ostholstein, Segeberg and Stormarn-Lauenburg
10.00 am Kayhude (Ellerbrock family)     Five-year-old and older mares, followed by three- and four-year-old mares

Wednesday 21 May 2025
Selection districts of Nordfriesland and Schleswig-Flensburg
10.00 am Behrendorf (indoor riding arena) Five-year-old and older mares, followed by three- and four-year-old mares

Thursday 22
May 2025 Selection districts of Bordesholm, Plön and Rendsburg-Eckernförde
2.00 pm Tasdorf (Tasdorf Stud) Five-year-old and older mares, followed by three- and four-year-old mares

Monday 26 May 2025
Selection districts of Dithmarschen, Pinneberg and Steinburg
9.00 am Elmshorn (Riding and Driving School)  Five-year-old and older mares, followed by three- and four-year-old mares

Monday 26
May 2025 Europe
selection district 2.00 pm Elmshorn (Riding and Driving School) Five-year-old and older mares, followed by three- and four-year-old mares

Alternatives to group appointments

If you are unable to travel to one of the dates, the Holsteiner Verband offers you two further options for registering your three-year-old or older mare: To arrange an on-farm appointment, please register with the Kiel office by 30 June of the relevant year at the latest. Requests are collected there and a tour is organised in the autumn. You will receive confirmation of your request for an on-site appointment by the end of August. The assessment is carried out by experienced judges directly on site.

It is also easy to register your mare digitally. To do so, you simply need to record a few video clips of your horse and, after consulting with the association staff at the Kiel office, send them by email or WeTransfer, along with the mare’s name and height. The mare will be registered on the basis of the videos by the breeding manager, Stephan Haarhoff. 

The #holsteinerheldinnen series is dedicated to our Holsteiner mares. Here you can find out interesting facts about the history, Holsteiner mare lines and the latest developments regarding mare registration, the awarding of premiums and much more.