The Holsteiner Young Breeders’ State Competition, organised last weekend by the Ostholstein Young Breeders’ Club at Gut Immenhof in Bad Malente Gremsmühlen, is, as it is every year, an absolute highlight for the young participants.

Nine clubs competed in four age groups across theory, conformation, conformation assessment and free-jumping, crowning their team and individual state champions. A joint games evening, a party and an overnight stay together in the sports hall at the Uwe Seeler Football Park demonstrated once again that friendships exist – or are formed – across club boundaries. The evening event is therefore at least as important for team-building as the competition itself. From the outside, it was clear that this was a perfect, sociable weekend, whilst the competitions themselves offered pure excitement. It was gratifying that the event could be planned with such a high number of entries. A total of 17 participants in age group 1, 48 in age group 2, 16 in age group 3 and 20 in age group 4 confirmed their intention to compete, and in the end 101 competitors took part. A good result.

Following the morning welcome, proceedings got underway straight away with the theory test in the Melkhus Hall. Participants were asked 25 questions covering breeding, husbandry, feeding, health, diseases and everything to do with horses. This was followed by the free jumping assessment in the riding hall at Gut Immenhof. The conformation assessment then took place outdoors on the riding arena in sunny weather. After the lunch break, the inspection began. First up was Age Group 3, followed later in the day by half of Age Group 2. Maja Kozian-Fleck and Henning Dressel were brought on board as judges for the regional competition; after each round of inspection, they always found just the right words and had plenty of useful tips to offer. We’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to both of them for giving so much good advice and judging in such an educational and constructive manner. We couldn’t have asked for anything better! In the evening, there was a buffet in the Melkhus Hall and the evening’s entertainment could begin. The programme included games such as ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’, dancing and singing, as well as pleasant conversations.

A whole weekend together – that really strengthens team spirit, even across clubs

On Sunday, the day began early with breakfast in Uwe-Seeler-Park, before we headed back to the riding centre for the inspection of the remaining participants in Age Group 2 and for Age Group 1. A huge thank you to all the hard-working helpers, parents, grandparents and siblings from all the clubs who made this event possible at the stunningly beautiful Gut Immenhof grounds.

The horses and ponies for the entire event were provided by Ms Anne Benkert on behalf of Immenhof, as well as by Kris Rosenbaum, Katja Schiele and the members of the Ostholstein Young Breeders’ Club. Many thanks for that too. You all made a significant contribution to this fantastic event. The awards ceremony began with a welcome address from the new First Chairman of the Holsteiner Verband, Mr Olaf Rörden, followed by remarks from the new Young and New Breeders’ Representative, Vivian Lohse. And then things got really exciting as the winners and runners-up in each age group received their well-deserved honours and valuable prizes.

Here are the top three in each age group:

Age Group 1: 1st
place: Lene Beles Grossmann (Dithmarschen) 1st place: Charlotte Piening (Segeberg) 3rd place: Maria Gräfin von Platen-Hallermund (Ostholstein)

Age Group 2: 1st
place: Alice Erdmann (Segeberg) 2nd place: Clara Werner (Rendsburg-Eckernförde) 3rd place: Marta Becker (Steinburg)

Age Group 3: 1st
place: Mirja Matern (Pinneberg) 2nd place: Henrike Thode (Dithmarschen) 3rd place: Mirja Rudnik (Stormarn-Lauenburg)

Age Group 4: 1st
place: Rabea Franzenburg (Dithmarschen) 2nd place: Kristina Hansen (Schleswig-Flensburg) 3rd place: Jana Gertz (Pinneberg)

Team: 1st
place: Steinburg 2nd place: Pinneberg 3rd place: Stormarn-Lauenburg

Best Whip Handlers: Age Group 1: Lisa Bicker (Steinburg); Age Group 2: Lissa Kritzen (Ostholstein); Age Group 3: Eva Maria Speck (Stormarn-Lauenburg)

Olaf Rörden, First Chairman of the Holstein Association, congratulates the successful participants

The organising club, Ostholstein, was delighted with the high number of entries at the regional competition. Such

a large event at the beautiful Gut Immenhof would not have been possible without our sponsors. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to:

R+V General Agency Edzards and Stapelfeldt, the Holsteiner Verband, Ehorses, Salvana, LKD Ahsbahs, Peer Span, Sparkasse Holstein, Maike Thieler Equine Physiotherapy, Carstens Optik, Aktiv + Vital, the Ahlmann Stud Farm, Futterhaus Eutin, the Eutin-Fissau Equine Clinic, the Wahlstedt Equine Clinic, Bahlmann Konzepte, Ranhänger, Ostsee MV Gas, Heuraufenandmore, Fehmarn Recycling, Reitplatzbau Schmeiser and many, many more.

Thank you so much for this incredible support!

The photos from this event were taken by Maren Weilandt (www.fotohof-blomster.de). She always had a keen eye for capturing the different moments. A huge thank you to her for that too.

Congratulations to all the Holsteiner young breeders. The competition also served as a selection event for the squad for the German Championships, which will take place in June at Gestüt Redefin. So there are even more highlights and events in store for our Holsteiner young breeders in 2025!

Merle Hinrichsen

See you at the next State Young Breeders’ Competition! 

Photos: Maren Weilandt/Fotohof Blomster