Introduction:
Can you briefly tell us about your position at the Holsteiner Verband?
My position is titled “Marebook Management”. I always find it tricky to properly sum up what I do. My main responsibilities are checking the eligibility of non-Holsteiner mares to enter our studbook, approving mares, registering foals, and organizing the mare performance tests and the farm inspection tour through Schleswig-Holstein. I am also the contact person for American and Canadian breeders and the proud owners of Holsteiner horses in North America. This entails, for example, the planning of the Inspection Tour in Canada and the US, ownership transfers and generally answering any question a breeder or horse owner has. To me, my job is the perfect combination of an office job and working outside. Although I spend most days at my desk, there are a lot of events I attend, such as the stallion licensing and Elite Mare Show. The mare approval tour and the foal registration tour take up about six weeks of the year as well.
Stallion Selection Guidance:
1. What makes a stallion stand out as an exceptional choice for breeding?
I find it most important that a stallion passes on correctness and rideability. Because for me, the breeding goal is a horse that’s ridden until the age of 18 to 20 and then enjoys another 5 to 10 years of retirement. Naturally, the assessment of offspring is only possible if the stallion has enough offspring, and is therefore older. At the same time, I’m a big supporter of young stallions. Without breeders who have the courage to use a young stallion, there would be no information about what the stallion passes on and how his offspring are under saddle. I have always found the idea of being one of the first to use a stallion thrilling. This particular stallion might one day become really successful and popular like, for example, Casall. It is my firm belief that in order for this to work, the breeder needs to know their mare very well. I, personally, wouldn’t breed a young mare to a young stallion. But you’re asking what makes a stallion exceptional. For me, it’s not just about the stallion himself, his looks or his accomplishments. I’m interested in the damline and his relatives. Deike Ahsbahs, who judged at the 2024 inspection tour, said to me: Good horses come from good damlines. I completely agree.
2. Are there any common misconceptions about selecting a stallion that you’d like to address?
Quite a few, actually. I often read advertisements for breeding stallions that say “approved Holsteiner stallion”. This can mean three very different things:
- The stallion is a registered Holsteiner and approved for the Holsteiner Verband
- The stallion is a registered Holsteiner but approved for a different registry
- The stallion is a registered Hanoverian, for example, but approved for the Holsteiner Verband
Breeders would greatly appreciate it if stallion owners ensured their advertisements were accurate and comprehensive.”
.There are also misconceptions regarding the terms “approved” and “licensed”. Nowadays, stallions often get approved by registries without the registry inspecting these stallions in person. The other way for a stallion to obtain a breeding license is by presenting himself at an in-person inspection, passing all health examinations, and receiving the necessary scores to get licensed. But at this point, the stallion isn’t even lifetime approved! He still needs to complete two stallion performance tests, at least according to the rules of the FN (German National Federation), The organization by which all German registries are bound. I would like the breeders to know these differences, especially the aspect of health examinations and performance testing.
3. What advice would you give a mare owner who’s selecting a stallion?
My reply to this question is a quote from Vicky Castegren, owner and manager of Hyperion Stud in Virginia, “Don’t think about what the stallion can do for your mare but what your mare can do for the stallion.” I love this advice! To be able to choose the best stallion for your mare, look at her as objectively as you can and find her strengths and weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other breeders if you’re uncertain what to look for. I know so many breeders who enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience. Ask yourself what you are breeding for, and I don’t just mean the discipline. Who is going to ride the foal you’re breeding? Are you breeding for yourself, your trainer, or your child? Also, attend every foal, mare, and stallion inspection you can. The Holsteiner Verband welcomes spectators at all inspection sites. Our judges always say a few sentences about each horse and take the time to answer questions.
4. How can mare owners utilize Holsteiner Verband registry resources to make informed breeding decisions?
I recommend choosing a stallion from our Holsteiner Verband Stallion Directory, which contains both Holsteiner Verband owned stallions as well as Privately owned stallions. All stallions listed in our directory are fully licensed, approved, and activated. As with most registries, the breeder pays a petition fee when registering a foal sired by an unactivated stallion with us. If you have a stallion in mind and aren’t sure whether or not he’s licensed, please write me an email and I will happily check for you.
Our Breeding Director Stephan Haarhoff is always happy to offer his advice. Information about the mare such as pedigree and age is helpful, but he also needs to know what discipline (i.e. show jumping, dressage, eventing) you’re breeding for and what you’d like to improve on your mare. If a breeder is interested in using one of the Holsteiner Verband owned stallions, the employees in Elmshorn are the best people to talk to. My colleague, Gérard Muffels, has been the manager of the stallion station for over 30 years and knows his stallions inside out. His wealth of knowledge is truly mind-blowing.
Closing:
1. What’s the most rewarding part of your work with the registry?
Definitely being responsible for the North American Breeding District. I started working full-time for the Holsteiner Verband in April 2022 and have loved planning the US / CAN inspection tours from the beginning. Being able to go on the tour myself in 2024 and judge alongside Deike Ahsbahs was such a great reward and experience. I met so many wonderful people in person. It really makes a difference meeting face-to-face as opposed to writing emails back and forth so I’m very thankful for that.
Every now and then it happens that someone needs to register their horse as fast as possible because they’ve entered a show and need the age verification for USEF. Helping these owners and receiving the feedback that the horse did really well at the show is also immensely rewarding.
2. Is there a stallion that has become your personal favorite, and why?
There’s actually three: Contefino, Don Quichot and Central Time. Deike and I were very impressed by the offspring of these stallions. Neither Contefino nor Don Quichot can be described as light and modern but that is exactly what they pass on to their offspring. There’s one filly by Contefino in particular that was so exceptional I won’t ever forget her. She had the most exquisite face. Don Quichot has an above-average rate of Premium foals. You can often tell he’s the sire of the foal standing in front of you without knowing its pedigree. And then there is Central Time who is not only producing stunning foals but is also a phenomenal sports horse himself. We watched him become the highest scoring show jumping stallion at the East Coast North American Stallion Sport Test.
It was fun answering these questions and I would like to thank Warmblood Breeders Boutique for this opportunity. I admire their passion about breeding and their drive to help breeders. The Holsteiner Verband and its North American Breeding District are proud to support this new and promising business.
-Marja-Liisa Solterbeck
solterbeck@holsteiner-verband.de
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