Following the young stallion presentation on 1 May, the Holsteiner Verband hosted a dressage horse workshop. In the theoretical part, breeding director Stephan Haarhoff and the two managing directors from Elmshorn, Felix Flinzer for marketing and Sebastian Rohde for stallion management, had their say.

While Stephan Haarhoff gave an overview of figures relating to Holsteiner dressage horses, past and current successes and the various registration options in the Holsteiner studbook in his introduction, Felix Flinzer presented the opportunities and options offered by the Verband for marketing horses with movement quality. Sebastian Rohde also emphasised the strengths of Holsteiner genetics, such as forehand mechanics, activity in the hind leg, mare lines, genetic refreshment and the Holsteiner blood connection to strengthen genetics. The Managing Director of Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH also reported that he has also acquired foals with a focus on dressage, which are to be developed into stallion prospects, promoted in terms of riding and ideally later used for fresh semen.

The practical part was led by none other than the former German champion and European team champion Heike Kemmer. She is now an esteemed trainer throughout Europe and a member of the Hanoverian Verband's licensing commission. The dressage expert commented on six horses at different levels of training and gave valuable tips along the way.   
Special thanks for her commitment to the successful event go to Eva-Maria Junkelmann (Dressage Working Group of the Holsteiner Verband)!

Photo: Malina Blunck