The weekend of 24 and 25 August at the Holsteiner Verband in Elmshorn will be all about the offspring of the 2024 crop: First of all, the foals at the Elite Auction will be looking for new owners on Saturday (24 August). On Sunday (25 August), the R+V Holsteiner State Foal Championships will be the next highlight on the calendar. Here, the best foals in the state will compete in three categories to determine their champions. But this Holsteiner Sunday has a lot more to offer...
Firstly, the day will start with a breeder workshop for all those who want to learn more about breeding and foal assessment: Sebastian Rohde, Managing Director of Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH, will talk to participants about how to find the right stallion for their mare. Afterwards, a visit to the Elmshorn stallion stable will show interested parties the steps involved from semen collection to dispatch. During the foal championships - which start at 12.00 noon - they will have the opportunity to listen to Hans-Joachim Ahsbahs' commentary via headset: The renowned breeder, former licensing inspector and breeding expert will share his knowledge exclusively with the workshop participants. "At the foal registration and award ceremonies, everyone is usually on their own and thinking about the foals," says Sebastian Rohde. "This workshop thrives on exchange and, of course, especially on Hans-Joachim Ahsbahs' extensive expertise." While some of the participants continue their training at the workshop, the youngsters can put their riding skills to the test in competition tests. This morning, young riders will have the opportunity to shine in front of an audience in lead rein and riding competitions on the prepared Herbert-Blöcker-Platz.
Wanted: three Holsteiner champions
The best representatives of the 2024 crop have been recommended for participation in the State Foal Championships - sponsored by R+V Generalvertretung Edzards und Stapelfeldt - at the foal registration and award ceremonies. Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH is organising the event in Elmshorn, where one filly, one stallion and one dressage foal will be crowned champion. Cheques for the winning foals will be awarded by R+V Generalvertretung Edzards und Stapelfeldt. High-quality prizes of honour for winners and runners-up are sponsored by Bense & Eicke, ClipMyHorse.tv, LKD Hauke Ahsbahs and Salvana Pferdefutter, as well as stud fee vouchers from Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH. Honoured breeding experts are always invited to judge the foals: Henrik Klatte, Matthias Wittke and Marten Witt form the trio of judges. Henrik Klatte runs the family business in Klein Roscharden, Lower Saxony, which has a centuries-old tradition. The close link between breeding and sport is particularly important to the family at Zuchthof Klatte, which has a stallion station and rearing centre as well as a sports stable. Matthias Wittke is a member of the Holsteiner licensing commission and chairman of the breeding district Europe. The full-time farrier has been passionate about the Holsteiner horse for decades. The Witt family's breeding programme is known far beyond the country's borders to anyone who is interested in Holsteiner breeding and sport heroes. Stallions and sport horses such as Colore (Hans-Dieter Dreher) or Conrad de Hus (Gregory Wathelet) and Cardento (Peter Eriksson) come from this renowned breeding programme. Marten Witt is the sixth generation to run the business.
Admission to the R+V Holsteiner State Foal Championships on 25 August is free. A visit is worthwhile for the whole family, as there will be a bouncy castle for the youngest to play and have fun.
Registrations for the breeders' workshop are still possible until 10 August by contacting Clara Butenschön (e-mail: steinburger.jungzuechter@gmail.com). The cost is 20 euros per person.
Entries for the young horse show can be submitted until 20 August, all information can be found in the announcement:
Photo: Janne Bugtrup (winning colt of the year 2023 by Conrad de Hus)
