When Breido Graf zu Rantzau assumed the chairmanship of the Holsteiner Verband in 1986, he already had a very successful sport career as an international show jumper behind him. He remained closely connected to the sport throughout all his voluntary activities, making him a valuable advisor for riders, show organizers and officials. His work for the Holsteiner Verband, and thus for horse breeding in the land between the seas, was a matter close to his heart. Inheriting the association was no easy task, as legal disputes with dissatisfied association members had to be managed at the time, young managing directors needed to be trained, and a burgeoning sport horse breeding association had to be guided into a future that was still uncertain at that point. Above all, the outcome of legal disputes was uncertain. In America, the Holsteiner brand had been registered as a private trademark, which prevented the export of Holsteiner horses via the association. In the so-called Moltke trial, high claims for damages were at stake, and a breeder from Hasenmoor was litigating for the re-registration of Calvados I. In cooperation with an Elmshorn law firm and their persistence as well as good legal advice, Breido Graf zu Rantzau succeeded in averting major damage from the association.
Breido Graf zu Rantzau carried out these problems and many other tasks with immense personal dedication and his characteristic leadership competence for the well-being of the Holsteiner Verband. Through his business acumen, the association developed into a flourishing enterprise that became exemplary for European sport horse breeding as a whole. The association's stallion keeping was and remains a central concern of Holsteiner breeders. Following the groundwork in the association's stallion population by the former managing director, Breido Graf zu Rantzau, in cooperation with Norbert Boley, was able to develop stallion keeping into a leading role in worldwide sport horse breeding.
The then association chairman, together with his deputy and the other board members, quickly recognized that the association could only live up to the claim of a leading role in sport horse breeding by structurally developing the facility in Elmshorn. Thus, under the leadership of Breido Graf zu Rantzau, the stallion stable was first expanded with a modern wing that did justice to the valuable stallion population. This was followed by the redesign of the outdoor facilities, particularly on the harness racing track, due to the cessation of trotter racing operations. The masterpiece of Breido Graf zu Rantzau's era is unquestionably the construction of the Fritz Thiedemann Hall on the association's grounds in Elmshorn. Back then, too, the chairman asked himself and his board the question about the right location for this construction project. Following the great tradition of the association, the board decided to continue strengthening the Elmshorn location. This foresight on the part of the chairman has resulted today in an event and marketing platform without which the association would probably no longer be viable for the future.
Breido Graf zu Rantzau also supported breeding work with great commitment. Thus, for the first time, discussions were held again about the admission of highly proven performance stallions, and outcross blood was admitted very selectively. The use of thoroughbred stallions also played a role in this. Breido Graf zu Rantzau's advice in breeding and association matters was also highly valued supra-regionally, and so the chairman from Holstein was quickly appointed to the highest committee of German horse breeding, the Breeding Board of the German Equestrian Federation (FN) in Warendorf. Due to his leadership qualities and his knowledge of equestrian sports and breeding, the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) also took notice of the Holsteiner chairman. Breido Graf zu Rantzau assumed a board position there and was elected as deputy to president Jan Pedersen, Denmark.
Amidst all these numerous tasks, Breido Graf zu Rantzau found great support from his family in Breitenburg. His wife Elke was always a good advisor to him and supported both him and the association, particularly through her commitment at events such as the licencing and auctions in Neumünster or the Elmshorn Horse Days, where she looked after the VIP guest area with her female helpers in each case.
Breido Graf zu Rantzau also shaped the association's major events through his expertise and leadership competence. For instance, the auctions in Neumünster experienced a heyday under his leadership, and together with the licencing events, these days in the Holstenhallen set standards for the German associations and beyond. A reflection of the enthusiasm of the breeders and all visitors interested in horses were the Holsteiner show evenings in Neumünster. A particular highlight of this evening was always his welcoming address.
From 2005, Breido Graf zu Rantzau became president of the German Equestrian Federation (FN) and handed over his office as chairman of the Holsteiner Verband to the new chairman, Jan Lüneburg. A few years later, he once again made himself available for board work within the association and helped implement the major structural reform of the Holsteiner Verband during this term of office, before finally retiring to his mandate as honorary chairman of the association in Holstein.
Breido Graf zu Rantzau advocated beyond measure for the concerns of the Holsteiner Verband. His ability to assume leadership roles was exemplary and has strongly shaped the Holsteiner Verband, German horse breeding and German equestrian sport. All breeders, riders and functionaries of the associations will remember Breido Graf zu Rantzau as a great personality and will keep him in honoured memory.
Dr Thomas Nissen
The death of FN Honorary President Breido Graf zu Rantzau has caused shockwaves in the scene. Countless personalities from equestrian sport and horse breeding knew him personally, and many were close friends of his. Here are the reactions of some long-time companions, captured by the German Equestrian Federation (FN) and the Holsteiner Verband:
"Breido was a strong personality, very honest and always straightforward. He was a true horseman with a big heart for equestrian sport and horse breeding and turned the FN into the modern and proactive association that it is today. I am particularly grateful to Breido for all his support. Without him, I would not be where I am today. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we will remember him as a great human being."
Ingmar de Vos, President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI)
"I am deeply affected and extraordinarily sad that Breido Graf zu Rantzau, the honorary president of the German Equestrian Federation and one of the most prominent personalities in equestrian sport of recent decades, has passed away. The German Equestrian Federation loses a highly competent and dedicated horseman who always championed the living creature of the horse, equestrian sport and horse breeding in a magnificent and unique way. I personally lose a true friend and remember with gratitude many hours spent together that will remain unforgettable."
Dr Harald Hohmann, Vice President Sport of the German Equestrian Federation (FN)
"Breido Graf zu Rantzau and I were connected by friendship since our earliest youth. During our long time together, we often had differing opinions on many matters, discussed intensely and controversially, but always reached a good outcome. He was always my best friend and advisor. Most of all, I appreciated his honesty, straightforwardness, openness and above all his humanity. His word was often law – and rightly so. Breido had an extraordinary and special character that one does not encounter so frequently nowadays. I and my family will miss him very much, not just tomorrow, but in the future generally."
Peter G. Rathmann, Carla Rathmann and Philip Rathmann, Rathmann Verlag
"Breido 'burned' not only for equestrian sport, but also for horse breeding. I got to know Breido during my active time and was allowed to accompany him when he was our president. With him, we lose a campaigner for our cause; he was always there when help was needed. His heart was in the right place. We will miss him very much."
Theodor Leuchten, Vice President Breeding of the German Equestrian Federation (FN)
"In heartfelt sympathy, I think of Breido Graf zu Rantzau and his entire family during these days of farewell. We had been connected in friendship since our youth through a shared time at boarding school and through equestrian activities in Schleswig-Holstein. It was Breido who then brought me back to equestrian sport at the end of my professional career. First in Schleswig-Holstein, together with Dieter Stut, and then very quickly at the FN in Warendorf. I am very grateful to him for that. On our car journeys and otherwise, we had many intensive conversations and also always liked to laugh a lot. I will miss him very much, particularly for his own characteristic human manner."
Dieter Medow, Chairman of the Schleswig-Holstein Equestrian Federation
"We worked together for the Holsteiner horse for 20 years. This cooperation was characterized by great reliability and open exchange. We could always tell each other our minds and respected and accepted one another. A true friendship grew out of that. Breido was simply a magnificent chap."
Hans-Werner Ritters, Deputy Chairman of the Holsteiner Verband during Breido Graf zu Rantzau's tenure
Photo: Janne Bugtrup
