Normally the Holsteiner Verband stallion parade is an event drawing several thousand visitors from Germany and abroad to the Neumünster Holstenhalls. For the second time now, the Coronavirus pandemic had forced those in charge around executive director Norbert Boley to present the stallions online only. To ensure an as realistic and honest presentation as possible, they were shown on 5 February via live stream on ClipMyHorse.TV from the Fritz-Thiedemann-indoor arena at Elmshorn.  “In times of Covid it is rather difficult for the breeders to see the stallions in real life. That is why we believe this additional service with videos of the stallions shown in-hand, in the stable and in side view might be helpful in deciding on which of the younger stallions to breed to”, says executive director Norbert Boley. To achieve this, these sequences as well as the free jumping have been recorded in advance in order to avoid longer breaks. The same applies for the presentations of the two dressage sires, Fidano by Fidertanz and Goldball by Goldberg, which were commented by her trainer, Kimberly Kühl.
The TB stallion Innenminister by Masterstroke opened the programme and was attested “above average jumping” by Tjark Nagel in his commentary. “I do hope that Innenminister will be frequented by our breeders and sent some of the very best mares. We need Thoroughbreds to maintain the hardiness in our breed and we need new lines”, Boley promoted the seven-year-old Innenminister. Anticipation was running high for the free jumping and the development of the three-year-olds. Beside the two Neumünster-licensed stallions, Zuccarello b Zuccero and Update by United Way, Nohoval Z by Nixon van’t Meulenhof performed impressively. Discovered at the Westphalian licensing, Nohoval comes from one of the best female lines in the world, the damline of Narcotique de Muze, and is a very good addition to the stallions stood by the Verband. “Nohoval has a very good top-line, is modern, good-sized and very scopey. Virtually the picture of a modern jumping horse“, Norbert Boley describes his new recruit.
The four-year-old and older stallions were presented jumping a course under the rider. Like for example Camino Royal by Clarimo, a half-brother to Keaton with very good hooves and correct legs. Or else Dominator Z offspring Daikon, presented by Mascha Krause. “He is showing good judgement and does a long jump, but is still in the early training stages and quite playful, which is absolutely normal for a four-year-old”, said Tjark Nagel, who has a long-standing tradition in commenting the stallion parade.
Sophie Hinners came in from Pfungstadt in south Hesse specifically to join the parade with three horses. Beside Million Dollar by Plot Blue, “a new combination the international scene is talking about“, according to Tjark Nagel, she had brought along Daymian by Darco, a stallion available through frozen semen this year as well as State and National Champion Crack by Cornet Obolensky. Moreover, when the reigning German Championess also took to the saddle of Charaktervoll by Comme il Faut, she couldn’t stop beaming.
Keaton by Kannan, Dubliner by Dinken, former champion stallion Cahil by Cornet Obolensky and Del Arko d‘Henvet SF were presented by Massimo Bonomi, head rider at the Elmshorner stallion stable. Bonomi won a lot of praise for his training of the stallions in cooperation with Karsten Huck, as Tjark Nagel confirmed all horses had undergone an awesome development. “It is fun to work with horses and riders as well trained as these.” Del Arko is to focus on competiton this season. “Together with the board we have decided that Del Arko and Massimo will be given the opportunity to proceed and advance at international level“, Boley said about the plans for the French stallion providing a blood alternative for Holsteiner mares.  
Arriving from Friedrichskoog, Alexandra and Marten Witt took to the saddle of Vigado by Vigo d’Arsouilles, Cardentos by Cardento, Corfu de la Vie by Cumano and United Way by Uriko. Apropos Uriko: At just 15 years, the Untouchable son is already about to found his own sire line as confirmed by video clips of some of his international show jumping offspring, as well as by his son United Way and United Way’s son, Update. “I am proud to have discovered Uriko. He has acquired many friends by now, even though he hasn’t always been the breeders’ No 1. But believing in him has paid off“, Boley looks back. Rolf Göran Bengtsson and Zuccero by Zirocco Blue closed the stallion presentation.  The Holsteiner Verband, in particular Norbert Boley, and the Swede, who had also performed the course impressively with Catch by Colman before, have been enjoying a long-time friendly cooperation. Needless to say, stallions like Larimar by Lavall II, Clarimo by Clearway, Dinken by Diarado, Uriko by Untouchable and naturally Casall by Caretino were presented as well. The closing words were by Norbert Boley, who had now hosted his last stallion parade after 40 years. Visibly emotional, the outgoing executive director thanked his entire team and wished all the best to Sebastian Rohde who is to succeed him in March. The entire stallion presentation is available in the ClipMyHorse.TV library. Over the next four weeks, it can be viewed even without premium membership.