Regarding the open letter by Mr Karsten Huck dated 5 May 2023, the Executive Board of the Association of Breeders of the Holsteiner Horse and the Managing Director of the Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH issue the following statement:

We categorically reject the allegations made in the open letter by Mr Karsten Huck. For data protection reasons, we cannot comment further on the facts of the case concerning the apprentice. Vocational training at the Holsteiner Verband and its GmbHs complies with statutory requirements and is conducted in close cooperation with the Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Agriculture.

Currently, no apprentices for the profession of horse groom specialising in classical riding are employed by the Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH because no staff member qualified to train in this specialisation is available. Training for aspiring horse grooms specialising in horse breeding continues to be offered. The Holsteiner Verband and its GmbHs are highly attractive to employees. The working atmosphere is valued and nurtured by all involved. Among other things, long-standing cooperation agreements exist with schools abroad in Europe that recommend and arrange internships with the Hengsthaltungs GmbH for their trainees.

The Executive Board and management will not evaluate or comment on the approach taken by Mr Karsten Huck. Due to the incorrect assertions in the open letter, the Executive Board and management reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings.

Photo: Janne Bugtrup