The year 2021 is flying by – as is evident not least from the fact that the most important Holstein event on the calendar is fast approaching once again. From 28 to 30 October, the breeding and equestrian world will have its eyes on Holstein.

There are a few new features and plenty of elements that have stood the test of time. The schedule, for example, has remained largely the same: on Thursday, the stallions will be presented on the tarmac; on Friday, the free jumping is eagerly anticipated, before the licensing results are announced on Saturday and the elite riding horses go under the hammer. The preliminary selection for the licensing took place in early September, and Stephan Haarhoff, who took up the post of breeding director at the start of the year, was extremely pleased with the 2019 crop of stallions: “We have seen many very modern horses that performed superbly in the free jumping and demonstrate above-average movement.” The licensing committee – some of whose members are new, comprising Stephan Haarhoff, Michael Gonell, Christian Thoroe, Horst-Klaus Heleine and Lars Nieberg – has selected 70 young Holsteiners as the best of the year’s crop. Haarhoff also spoke of genetic diversity: “Alongside big Holsteiner names such as Casall, Colman, Diarado, Livello and, for example, Uriko, there are numerous outcross sires in the catalogue. Chacfly PS, Conthargos, Dominator, Emerald, Halifax, Nixon and Taloubet Z are just a few examples of the many sires represented here. Not to mention the tried-and-tested mare lines, which represent our greatest asset.”

New free-jumping
team Wolfgang Arnold is leading the free-jumping for the first time, and he too has a new team at his side. There is also a new feature at Wednesday’s trial free-jumping session: the stallions’ technical ability and speed will be assessed using an in-out sequence. “We are doing away with lunging for the first time this year, and we have not admitted any stallions born in July or later. The new animal welfare guidelines are an important part of the concept, which is why the obstacles in the free jumping will be no more than 1.30 metres high,” Haarhoff continued. Prof. Edgar Schallenberger, Animal Welfare Representative for the Schleswig-Holstein agricultural sector, spent the entire week ensuring for himself that the pre-selection process was conducted in a manner appropriate to the horses’ ages and needs.

Around 45 riding horses in the Elite lot
For the traditional Elite Auction of riding horses, Roland Metz and his team have put together a collection that offers everything customers could wish for, ranging from three-year-old rough diamonds to five-year-old show jumping horses ready for the course. Sporting partners for discerning amateurs, talented Holsteiner eventers and even two hopefuls for the dressage arena have also found their way into the lot, which will be presented to the public on Friday evening in Neumünster. “We’ve been presented with a truly large number of promising horses for all disciplines and requirements, and we’re very grateful to the exhibitors for that,” says Managing Director Roland Metz.

Advance ticket sales
Thanks to the current state regulations in Schleswig-Holstein, the Holstenhallen in Neumünster will once again be able to welcome large numbers of spectators this year. However, the 3G rule must be observed: all visitors must be vaccinated, tested or have recovered from COVID-19. Online ticket sales, which will be handled exclusively by the Holstenhallen, will begin shortly; further information on this and on the event itself will be published at www.holsteiner-verband.de. Tickets are available from as little as 15 euros per day.

Photo: Janne Bugtrup