Elections for board positions will be on the agenda during the delegates' assembly of the Association of Breeders of the Holsteiner Horse (Verband der Züchter des Holsteiner Pferdes e.V.) on 11 June 2025.

The chairman Olaf Rörden is standing for re-election, and an assessor position must also be filled anew. The previous assessor Dieter Feddersen is not standing for re-election. Three candidates introduce themselves and their ideas for board work below (in alphabetical order) and will stand for election on 11 June.

Nadine Hamester

Name and place of residence:
Nadine Hamester, Basthorst

Age:
48 years

Main occupation and further activities in Holsteiner horse breeding, sport, and trade:
Restaurateur; Together with my husband, I run our country hotel in the sixth generation with a focus on banqueting. In 2022, we completed a new hotel building with 25 rooms, thereby successfully expanding our offering.

Experience in voluntary work:
voluntary support of competition helpers and judging teams in the catering sector.

Knowledge in breeding and sport:

• grassroots competition riding, occasionally training young horses in a training stable
• Member of the Holsteiner Verband since 2013 and active with up to three broodmares of my own
• The focus of my breeding work is on my own offspring, with all mares consistently completing the mare performance test. Quality, willingness to perform, and rideability are the focus of my breeding philosophy.

My ideas regarding the development of the overall association, stallion management, and marketing:

• Strengthening the association's premises in Elmshorn: Our beautiful facility should also remain a central location for competitions, breeding events, and gatherings in the future. This requires visibility, maintenance, and targeted utilisation concepts.
• Promoting regional initiatives: Breeding also thrives on regional commitment. Local events and modern communication formats can help to provide new impetus and revitalise existing structures.
• Sustainability in breeding: The future direction of breeding should particularly consider character, rideability, and motivation alongside conformation and performance.
• Increasing the attractiveness of the mare performance test: The importance of the mare performance test for foals and broodmares – e.g. with regard to foal registrations or auctions – should be communicated more strongly and specifically highlighted.
• Attracting new breeders to Holsteiner breeding: Even though the current situation in the horse scene is challenging, our association needs junior members in the long term. With targeted information offerings, low-threshold entry opportunities, and active support from experienced members, we can inspire new breeders for Holsteiner breeding and bind them to the association.

As a board member, I would like to achieve the following:

• I stand for honest, uncomplicated cooperation on an equal footing.
• I want to support the board with respect, reliability, and team spirit.
• It is important to me to noticeably strengthen cohesion between members and the association.
• I see the passion for horses, sport, and breeding as a unifying element that we should consciously promote and preserve.
• Joy and motivation are essential success factors for me in voluntary work – I want to maintain and pass these on.
• I want to contribute to positively shaping the public image and perception of our association.

Carmen Hinrichsen-Bockmeyer

Name and place of residence:
Carmen Hinrichsen-Bockmeyer, Kropp

Age:
59

Main occupation and other activities in Holsteiner horse breeding, sport and commerce:
For the past 20 years, self-employed tax adviser and business graduate with clients in various equestrian sports sectors

Volunteering experience:

• Served on the board of a local riding club
• Member of the Holsteiner Verband for 25 years, serving on the executive committee from 2019 to 2021

Knowledge of breeding and sport:

• 25 years’ experience in Holsteiner horse breeding, with over 90 foals competing internationally up to Class S

My ideas regarding the development of the Holsteiner Verband as a whole, stallion management and marketing:

• Making bold decisions for the Holsteiner Verband
• Improving business processes

As a member of the Executive Board, I would like to achieve the following:

•  Restore the Association’s financial strength, thereby making it competitive and sustainable

Matthias Wree

Name and place of residence:
Matthias Wree, Hartenholm, Schleswig-Holstein

Age:
Born in 1978 on a farm in Angeln, Schleswig-Holstein

Main occupation and other activities in Holsteiner horse breeding, sport and trade:
My main occupation is as managing director of an internationally active trading company specialising in agricultural commodities, based in Hamburg. www.grainli.de

Experience in voluntary work:
As a mentor, I have been supporting young, ambitious people on their journey for many years – from the initial idea and business plan right through to strategic implementation. It is always important to offer support, resolve any problems that arise and work together to overcome obstacles.

Knowledge of breeding and sport:
We run a small show jumping stud, which we maintain as a private outlet and a shared family hobby. Recently, pony sport has also been coming increasingly into focus.

My ideas regarding the development of the national federation, stallion management and marketing:
With the clear aim of ensuring long-term financial viability – even if this requires unpopular decisions – I am striving to ensure that:

• the stud programme continues to be strengthened and maintained,
• the Holstein brand is developed in an innovative way,
• Elmshorn becomes the hub for all activities.

However, as an association and as breeders, we must also be open to the changes arising from developments in the equestrian world and in our society. On the path to change, it is not necessary to reinvent everything ourselves; we can and should learn from the best and adapt tried-and-tested approaches.

As a member of the Executive Board, I would like to achieve the following:

• I wish to focus on the people – the breeders and staff within the association. All issues concerning the future of the Holsteiner horse and the long-term viability of the individual business units do not depend solely on the horses. Far more crucial are the people involved, their potential and their ability to make the right decisions.
• As a volunteer member of the Executive Board, I do not simply wish to receive answers to my questions, but also to play an active role in areas such as strategy, people management, the development of our values, communication and structure. My aim is to work together with the team to establish a strong, clear direction and to continuously develop our organisation.
• I would like to discuss the extent to which the volunteer Board should be involved in operational tasks and decisions. In my view, day-to-day management should, in principle, be the responsibility of the full-time management team in order to ensure a clear allocation of responsibilities. It is important to strike a balance whereby the board focuses on strategic issues and the long-term direction, whilst operational activities remain the responsibility of the management team.