By Sina Ritter / IYB
Photography: Daniela Ritter
The Horse Breeding Association of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania was founded in 1990 and now has 1,500 members of all ages, representing a variety of different horse breeds. Horse Breeding in this district was, however, started in the early 14th century.
Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was considered a great promoter of breeding. He bought horses from all over Europe in the middle of the 16th century and made them available to farmers with studfarms. Thus, a powerful riding and driving horse was bred, which was sought after beyond the national borders.
An important era began with the founding of the National Stallion Depot Redefin by Duke Friedrich Franz I in 1812. A down-to-earth, powerful warm-blooded horse of ‘best character’ was bred. Parallel to the National Stallion Depot in Redefin, private stallion breeding developed in the country as well, and the Horse Breeding Association of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania was founded.
We in Mecklenburg foster the goal of imparting a sincere love for horses as well as for breeding to our youngest members, too. To this end, the association is committed to the education of its young breeders with a multitude of workshops on a wide range of topics such as feeding, stable management, health and welfare, the assessment of the exterior (conformation), breeding management, the assessment of the free running and free jumping of Equidae, and much more.
Young breeders are no older than 25 years of age who are interested in horse breeding and handling. Since Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is not so densely populated, our events and workshops are organised not only by the individual horse breeding associations and interest groups, but also centrally by the Horse Breeding Association of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, with venues spread all over the country.
During the last few years the young breeders have developed to become a larger community, exchanging ideas, learning from each other, supporting each other, and creating great team spirit. In short, we have lots of fun together. Currently there are about 45 active young breeders aged from five to 25 years.
We regularly demonstrate our skills in various competitions. The annual highlight for the group of eight to 13-year olds is their major competition in the impressive setting of the Mecklenburg Agricultural Exhibition in Mühlengeez. The older age-group, 14 to 25 years, have a national selection competition and can also compete in the East German Championships, the German Championships and the World Championships, both in individual and in team competitions... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BREEDING NEWS
SUBSCRIBERS CAN READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY LOGGING IN AND RETURNING TO THIS PAGE
