On Tuesday, 23 February 2021, the first Holstein station test this year for three-year-old mares will conclude in Elmshorn. But how does a station test work? What are the requirements for participation and what are the advantages for the mare and her owner? The new series Holsteiner Leitfaden gives answers to these and other questions about Holsteiner breeding.
At a station test, the mares are stabled for 14 days in Elmshorn on the grounds of the Holsteiner Verband. Up to now, only three-year-olds were admitted, but at the next station test from 20 April to 4 May, a four-year-old is registered for the first time. In future, three- and four-year-old mares will be admitted. On the day of delivery, the mares must be ridden by their own rider in front of the test director. During the 14-day training period, the horses will be further trained by a competent team of riders and trainers until their final test is due. In addition to the evaluation of the basic gaits, the rideability and the free jumping, interior characteristics, which are summarised as a mark for the characteristic "willingness to perform and handling", are also part of the test.
Anyone who would like to register a mare for a station test at the Holsteiner Verband can do so at the office in Kiel. Contact person is Götz Hartmann (hartmann@holsteiner-verband.de, phone: 0431-3059961). The registration deadlines are usually set for the end of the previous year. Up to 70 mares can be tested at the station. The contact person in Elmshorn and test director is Alexandra Bitter (abitter@holsteiner-verband.de, phone: 0170-3825465).
The fees for the whole test are about 700,00 Euro per mare. This includes all costs (accommodation and care of the mares, training and examination fees). Mare owners who register their horses for the station test have the advantage that they are trained and tested for 14 days under standardised conditions. A completed station test not only provides an overview of the mare's strengths and weaknesses for an upcoming sport career or stallion selection, a good result later also serves to facilitate the marketing of the offspring.
Next date for a station test:
28 April to 12 May 2020
