“Westphalian Studbook Certainly Not a Takeover Candidate”
Criticism of FN’s Merger Plans – Breeding Success Proven Even at the Olympic Games
Top ambassadors of Westphalian horse breeding are its particularly successful breeders. They were traditionally honored as “Breeders of the Year 2024” during the 78-member delegates' assembly of the Westphalian Studbook on Wednesday evening (April 23). Critical voices were raised regarding proposed breeding association mergers.
The Stallion Breeder Award of the past year went to Joachim Hufelstuhl (Lindlar/Oberbergischer Kreis). In the “Breeder of the Year – Riding Pony” category, Alicia Mengelkamp (Lippetal/Kreis Soest) was honored. For achievements in breeding riding horses, Heinrich Sterthoff (Hamm) and Wolfgang Kipp (Ankum/Osnabrück district) were recognized, while in the category of other breeds, cold-blood horse breeder Anja Deppenmeier (Lügde/Lippe district) received the award. Special honors were given to Reinhard Cramer (Herscheid/Märkischer Kreis), Claudia Meckmann-Dorsel (Münster), Georg Wiebringhaus (Marl/Recklinghausen district), and Michael Settertobulte (Delbrück/Paderborn district). Appreciation was also expressed to the staff of the studbook, which employs over 50 people.
Membership of the breeding association, founded in 1904, rose to 8,798 in 2024. Chairman Ralf Johanshon recalled the breeding achievements of Westphalia, also in light of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Riders from various nations competed with a total of twelve Westphalian-bred horses. All three German show jumpers who qualified for the Olympics competed on Westphalian horses. Christian Kukuk and his Westphalian horse Checker secured the individual gold medal in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles.
Johanshon voiced criticism of the German Equestrian Federation’s (FN) plans for a general merger of breeding associations. While the Westphalian Studbook is open to dialogue about improving the economic efficiency of horse breeding, the Westphalians are strong enough and “certainly not a takeover candidate.” The Westphalian association, he emphasized, would especially not allow small breeders to be left behind in the event of mergers.
Renovations already carried out in recent years at the Westphalian Horse Center on Sudmühlenstraße in Münster-Handorf are being brought up to top modern standards with further upgrades and construction work, including a third indoor riding arena, Johanshon said. Managing Director Carsten Rotermund called the studbook’s 120th anniversary, celebrated in 2024 together with the 100th anniversary of the Equestrian Sports Association, a fantastic promotional event for horse breeding and equestrian sport in Westphalia. The same applies to the studbook’s podcast “Westfalenpferde”, which has aired 42 episodes since March of last year.
According to breeding director Katrin Tosberg, the Westphalian Studbook had 8,623 breeding mares, and the number of registered foals in the Westphalian Riding Horse breed stood at 5,131. According to breeding and marketing director Thomas Münch, auction revenues rose to €17.0 million (previous year: €13.9 million), with 804 horses and foals sold (previous year: 766).
The necessary discharges of the board and elections confirmed the delegates’ confidence in the leadership of the Westphalian Studbook. During the regular elections of two board members, deputy chairman Dr. Klaus Strautmann and Egbert Bispinghoff were unanimously re-elected. International show jumping trainer Marcus Döring was newly appointed to the licensing commission for riding horses, which decides on the breeding approval of young stallions.
April 23, 2025
Since 1904, the Westphalian Studbook e.V. has defined one of the most successful sport horse breeds at the highest levels of competition. With 8,000 members, the association of Westphalian horse breeders promotes horse breeding in Westphalia and offers guidance on breeding, husbandry, and feeding. The association oversees breeding programs, registers Westphalian-bred horses, issues breeding certificates, maintains the studbook, and supports the marketing of breeding and riding horses.
Chairman: Ralf Johanshon – Managing Director: Carsten Rotermund – Marketing and Breeding Director: Thomas Münch – Breeding Director: Katrin Tosberg
