The welcome news came on Wednesday evening, when the state government announced that the ‘lockdown light’ measures – and consequently the ban on events – would not come into force until next Monday, meaning that the Holstein annual highlight can go ahead as planned up to and including Saturday 31 October. Consequently, at the 50th Holsteiner Licensing and Elite Auction today, the focus finally returned to the horses with the pavement inspection.

Sixty-five promising candidates presented themselves to the audience and the licensing committee on the tarmac and in the walking rings. Among them were three dressage-oriented candidates, who had to perform not only on solid ground but also on the lunge. “Today on the tarmac we saw a well-balanced collection in terms of type, which is once again strongly characterised by the desired Holstein breed traits,” said breeding director Dr Thomas Nissen. “Many of the stallions clearly demonstrated classic power of movement with knee action and good motor skills.” Genetically, the crop is broadly diversified, although Holstein’s breeding flagship, Casall, is the most strongly represented with nine sons. The desired diversity of bloodlines is provided, amongst others, by the progeny of Diamant de Semilly, his sons Diarado and Dominator Z, and his grandson Dinken. However, international bloodlines are also present in the licensing cohort via Comme il Faut, Cornet Obolensky, Emerald van het Ruytershof, Flipper d’Elle – who passed away a few days ago – as well as, for example, Kannan and Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve. As is customary in Holstein, the stallion candidates sired by non-Holstein sires all originate from purebred Holstein dam lines.

The event on Friday (30 October) begins with the much-anticipated free jumping and free walking of the stallions at 8.30 am. From 6.00 pm, the candidates for the Elite Riding Horse Auction will be presented to interested parties. The entire event will be broadcast live via livestream on ClipMyHorse.TV.