On 14 and 15 August, the Holsteiner Verband invites you to the Holsteiner Foal and Family Festival in Elmshorn. With the Holsteiner Elite Foal Auction, the R+V Holsteiner State Foal Championship, a big family day and a children’s riding competition, visitors can look forward to a varied weekend that puts the spotlight on Holsteiner horse breeding as well as the next generation – on four and two legs.

The festivities kick off on Friday 14 August at 2 pm with the presentation of around 50 elite foals. This top-class collection can already be viewed online at www.holsteiner.auction. This will be followed at 5 pm on Herbert-Blöcker-Platz by the Holsteiner Elite Foal Auction. The auction lot includes, amongst others, offspring of the proven sires Catoki, Ogano Sitte, Million Dollar, Uriko and his son United Way, as well as Diarado and his son Duplexx.

Following the auction, breeders, horse enthusiasts and guests are invited to round off the evening with a party on the association’s grounds.

Fun and games for the whole family
Saturday, 15 August, is all about the next generation. At the children’s riding competition, the youngest riders will gain their first competitive experience in age-appropriate classes – from the lead-rein class to the show jumping competition – and showcase their skills on the Herbert-Blöcker-Platz. The programme also includes a pre-inspection on the triangular arena for the youngest breeders. It all kicks off at 8.00 am.

Running alongside this is the big Holsteiner Family Adventure Day. Families who have had no previous contact with horses or horse breeding are also expressly invited. With two bouncy castles, face painting, a grooming kit memory game, horseshoe throwing, a real horse to pet and numerous other hands-on activities centred around horses, fun, games and entertainment are guaranteed. At the same time, interested visitors will have the opportunity to gain an insight into Holsteiner horse breeding and experience the special atmosphere on the grounds of the Holsteiner Verband. Admission is free.

Strong partners make the festival
possible The Holsteiner Foal and Family Festival is supported by numerous partners and sponsors. The Holsteiner Verband would like to express its sincere thanks to Pferdesporthaus Loesdau GmbH & Co. KG, Zeltverleih Lösche & Oltersdorf, the VR Bank Community Foundation in Holstein, Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH Th. Semmelhaack, Pferdeklinik Bargteheide GmbH & Co. KG, Getränke Tadsen GmbH, Labor Dr. Böse GmbH, HAMKE Event & Messe, MaBi Power Pellets, the Elmshorn Riding and Driving Club (Reit- und Fahrverein von Elmshorn u. U. e.V.), pro-bit werbeagentur e.K., the Holsteiner Young Breeders’ Association (Förderverein der Jungzüchter des Holsteiner Pferdes e.V.), Peer-Span, Derby, Bense & Eicke, Eekholt Wildlife Park and Magellan Verlag for their valuable support.

From 1 pm, the Holsteiner State Foal Championship will mark the breeding highlight of the weekend. The best foals from the registration and premium selection events in the individual licensing districts will compete against one another in Elmshorn for the titles of Holsteiner State Champions 2026. Around 40 foals have qualified and confirmed their participation. The genetics of the qualifiers are extremely diverse. Conchezz and Cognac are presenting their first crop of foals, and it has already become clear in the licensing districts and at the auctions held so far that they are living up to the hopes placed in them. In addition, the line-up includes offspring of Zuccero, United Way, Dourkhan Hero, Cascadello I, Chalou and Zirocco Blue, amongst others.

Those unable to attend in person can watch the event live on ClipMyHorse.tv.

Photos: Janne Bugtrup