BY BRITT CARLSEN / DWB
PHOTOS: RIDEHESTEN.COM/JØRGEN BAK RASMUSSEN AND BRITT CARLSEN

After 32 years as the internationally recognized and highly respected chairman of Danish Warmblood, Jan Pedersen has handed over the chairmanship reins to Mogens Pedersen.

Jan Pedersen (71) was elected chairman of Danish Warmblood in 1994 in the first contested election in the association’s history. He succeeded Torben Bagge Hansen and has since been re-elected at every election. He was also re-elected in 2024 without opposition, but during his acceptance speech he announced that this would be his final term as chairman of the association. At the same time, he encouraged timely diligence in the search for a suitable successor.
Visibility and international recognition
Under Jan Pedersen’s leadership, Danish Warmblood has developed into an association that, among other achievements, has gained significant international recognition through his role as president of the WBFSH since 1999.
Danish Warmblood breeding has also developed considerably during his tenure through strong and focused selection – and not least thanks to knowledgeable and skilled breeders as well as visionary and financially strong stallion owners.
Danish Warmblood’s patron, HRH Princess Benedikte, who is also the patron of the WBFSH, was unable to attend the representatives’ meeting but sent a video greeting to the outgoing chairman. She began by saying: “Dear Jan Pedersen, Your chairmanship has been unique for more than three decades. Few have influenced development with such wisdom and sound judgment. You demonstrate an extraordinary level of dedication and possess the highest level of professional expertise,” the Princess said, among other things. She concluded with the words: “You have always been very modest, but there is no doubt that you leave a very significant mark behind.”
Jan Pedersen says of his departure: “For me, this marks the end of an era. An era that has filled an enormous part of my life and has, to a great extent, helped define who I have become through my work as chairman of Danish Warmblood. Danish Warmblood has meant – and continues to mean – a great deal to me. This role has given me countless wonderful experiences both at home and abroad, and I have met many fantastic people. For that I am deeply grateful. Above all, I am proud of the support and trust the members have shown me over so many years.”...

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE IN THE ONLINE EDITION OF BREEDING NEWS